Kiwi

Maple board on a SR4 neck - any thoughts? What does everyone think? It's going to be available for sale once finished.

We are still making them. There's one slot left for Batch 3...lots of interest off Facebook this week but noone has pulled the trigger on the last slot yet. Batch 4 won't be started until February due to CNY.

The bottom neck, with the sunburst effect, is going to be mine. I did want custom inlays but we don't have a laser engraving machine yet. Maybe in the future though.

@Raslee @BlueMoon @Jo.gwillim @thevintagebassist @Manfred741 Frets were installed this week. They're nearly ready...

Hey Huff, sorry for the delayed reply. The necks are hollow tube construciton but filled with epoxy resin. I'm not sure what you mean by grade though, would you like to clarify?

I have a handful of kids in my class with different forms of autism, suspected NPD and ADHD. ADHD is relatively straight forward so long as you can draw on large reserves of patience. The most autistic kid out of the two is an absolute sweetheart and by far the most interesting student in the class. She's always full of surprises and it's absolutely impossible to generalise or normalise her. She's doing her own thing and doing it quite well but I do worry a little about her hyperfocus and staying safe.

My Vigier Passion iii 5 string provided the original inspiration.

Let me know what 42mm wide 5 strings you come up with.

The Vigier Passion is 42mm. AI is suggesting the following: 1. Ibanez Soundgear (SR) Series Models: SR505, SR605, SR705, SR805, Prestige models (e.g., SR1405). Nut Width: Consistently 42mm across almost the entire 5-string SR line. Why it's notable: This is one of the most iconic and accessible lines with this spec. They feature ultra-thin, fast necks, lightweight bodies, and great ergonomics. The perfect starting point for a 42mm nut search. 2. Yamaha TRBX500 & 600 Series Models: TRBX505, TRBX605. Nut Width: 42mm. Why it's notable: Yamaha offers tremendous value. These are well-built, versatile basses with modern electronics and a very comfortable, slightly rounded neck profile that's easy to play. 3. ESP/LTD B-Series Models: LTD B-205, B-255, B-1005, etc. Nut Width: Typically 42mm on many of their 5-string models (always double-check the spec sheet for the specific model). Why it's notable: Great for rock and metal players. They often feature a flat neck profile ("D" shape) which, combined with the 42mm nut, gives a very consistent, fast feel across the fingerboard. 4. Schecter Stiletto Series Models: Stiletto Stealth-5, Stiletto Custom-5. Nut Width: Many are listed at 1.65" (42mm). Why it's notable: Another excellent option for modern tones. Schecter's necks are famously smooth and playable, often with a thin "C" shape, making them very comfortable for the 42mm width. 5. Sire Marcus Miller V Series Models: Sire V5, V7, V9 (5-string versions). Nut Width: 42mm. Why it's notable: Exceptional value with high-end features (like rolled fingerboard edges, active/passive electronics). The necks have a soft "C" shape that many players find very comfortable.

We have gone with 42mm for the SR5 necks by popular request

I've found generally that there is a set of trade offs between aesthetics and ergonomics which kind of shows there is a limit to the classic Modernist design mantra of 'form follows function'. I tend to think of it as a prioritisation exercise...priotise ergonomics up to about 70% of the body shape and compromise a little for aesthetics. If you go beyond that threshold, it's possible to end up with some fairly unattractive body shapes that are exceedingly comfortable. I'd offer up Vigier as an example and maybe the Klein steinberger/Strandberg Boden bass. I'm sure it must be possible to cobble together a 2 axis graph somewhere showing attractiveness vs comfort given access to enough survey data. Strandberg Boden bass Klein/Steinberger bass Vigier Passion SIII 5

Okdoke :). Foam in the headstock might be tricky when the tuners are held in place by screws. But I'll see if there is a way to confirm relative weight saving of the lighter weight core filling in an side by side experiment.

Follow up - the JB4 necks are weighing in at a gnats nadger over 1.1kg

It depends on how far the envelope is pushed from whats already known. The resonancy peaks become more pronounced the less stiff the core is. Its possible to fill with resin and other materials but the proportions could vary according to resin content and any filler material. And the filler material would have some frequency dampening properties. Rob Green mentioned once in person to me that tbe Stealth 2 used an epoxy foam core. Not sure if the core was preshaped and wrapped or the foam was injected into a hollow shell.