Status neck on musicman bass... why?

[stingrayPete1977]

Indeed

[MB1]

Indeed

MB1.
Big poppa will be Proud!

[stingrayPete1977]

I have only just joined the EBMM forum less than a week ago to gain some info on my SR5, so far it's very slow? More fun annoying you lot

[MB1]

I have only just joined the EBMM forum less than a week ago to gain some info on my SR5, so far it's very slow? More fun annoying you lot
MB1.
Best not to mention anything unmusicman on there, i hear they have there own Whipping Post!

[dlloyd]

Personally, I put a Status neck on my EBMM for the simple reason that [i]I could.[/i]

There was nothing wrong with the tuning or stability of the neck. It was rock solid with the stock neck... if anything it was worse with the Status neck, but only because it was an unlined fretless.

They look cool with that almost holographic effect the carbon fibre weave has, they feel cold and glossy.

Sound is difficult to compare between a fretted maple neck and an unfretted carbon fibre neck, but it was quite bright compared to the other fretlesses I've owned.

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/dlloydbass/DSC02618.jpg[/IMG]

The necks were originally made for the NAMM 100th anniversary in 2001 for these guys...



One day...

[stingrayPete1977]

The EBMM head shape looks ace in carbon!

[phatkat]

Ok so they are good.... how hard are they to come by and are they crazy expensive?

[BassBus]

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1320689258' post='1430073']
According to the Steinberger history on their site -

1977
[size=2][color=#999999]Several prototypes made of graphite reinforced epoxy are manufactured.[/color][/size]

[size=2]Any advances on 1977?[/size]
[/quote]
[url="http://www.edroman.com/guitars/steinberger/history.htm"]http://www.edroman.com/guitars/steinberger/history.htm[/url]

[dlloyd]

[quote name='phatkat' timestamp='1320699018' post='1430319']
Ok so they are good.... how hard are they to come by and are they crazy expensive?
[/quote]

I bought one for £140 and sold it for the same on here a few years back... No idea what the going rate is now.

[EBS_freak]

[quote name='BassBus' timestamp='1320701934' post='1430381']
[url="http://www.edroman.com/guitars/steinberger/history.htm"]http://www.edroman.c...ger/history.htm[/url]
[/quote]

[b]"Although a lot of people credit Ned for the headless neck design and the graphite construction technique, actually Les Paul came up with the original headless neck design and Geoff Gould of Modulus gets the credit for the graphite construction technique. Ned Steinberger, however, did come up with some absolutely incredible inventions."[/b]


[font="Arial"][size="2"][color="#333333"]Additionally, Ed Roman's page states that Ned started in 76 - doesn't mean the graphite stuff started straight away.[/color][/size][/font]

[Aero]

[quote name='dlloyd' timestamp='1320704445' post='1430433']
I bought one for £140 and sold it for the same on here a few years back... No idea what the going rate is now.
[/quote]

I got a new fretted jazz neck from status for £352 a year or two ago and a used lined fretless jazz for about £160 from a basschatter. (would like to swap for unlined fretless)

Heres what I did with them:

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/109322-no-end-to-gas/page__view__findpost__p__1027429"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/109322-no-end-to-gas/page__view__findpost__p__1027429[/url]

I get a lot of comments about the necks at gigs, most people who try it love the feel and the low action even though, for some, graphite still has that stigma of the 80s.

I don't like to fight my basses so this for me is near perfect. Always in tune, don't notice any temperature issues. Sustains forever.
For some reason the fretted graphite neck feels heavier than my Japanese rosewood Jazz. ????
I've had a few 70s P basses which were ok but don't come close on the low action, the nearest was a 60s P bass that a mate had, ......he wouldn't sell it to me.

cheers

Fran

[JTUK]

I thought the idea was good for a fretless, maybe...... not so convinced there is much or anything to gain over a well fitted wooden neck.

It would have to be very much better, as they look fawful.. IMO

[Kiwi]

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1320687904' post='1430059']
Close call - Cutlass birthdate is 1982 (with Modulus manufactured neck) with Status being 81 - the Status folks may be clearer around the dates. Is 1981 the birth of GMT or was Rob going before this? Geoff Gould (founder of modulus) apparently presented first graphite necked bass in 1977... so it looks like MM and Status were lagging by a few years.
[/quote]

First graphite necked bass was an Alembic made in 1976. It was sold to John McVie in 1977.

Bassstar necks were available from late 70's to early 80's as after market add ons and full instruments - Fender copies with alembic electronics and modulus necks.

Cutlasses allegedly date back to 1980 also but I've yet to see any dates on necks that go back before 1983. I did own an Artist Cutlass c/- Cliff Williams that was basically a cutlass neck mated to a preEB body. Neck date was 1984, body date was 1979.

Alembic continued producing graphite necked basses until around 1985 although very, very low numbers from 1984 onwards due to issues with Geoff Gould and quality control that impacted on both Alembic and Musicman's decision over whether to continue offering graphite necks.

Steinbergers were being marketed from [url="http://www.steinbergerworld.com/fliers/80flier.jpg"]1980[/url] onwards. The idea for resin injected, composite necks was being developed by Ned while he was working for Stuart Spector in the late 70's. Youtube vids here:

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/46175-steinberger-doco-from-1983/page__p__459920__hl__steinberger%20ned__fromsearch__1#entry45992"]http://basschat.co.u...h__1#entry45992[/url]

Have no idea about Status, a 1981 date would be a bit of a revelation. Mark King played them from 1983 onwards I believe.

[EBS_freak]

Ah yes - found in Wiki.

Didn't know about Bassstar - cheers for that snippet.

[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1320829303' post='1431838']
First graphite necked bass was an Alembic made in 1976. It was sold to John McVie in 1977.

Bassstar necks were available from late 70's to early 80's as after market add ons and full instruments - Fender copies with alembic electronics and modulus necks.

Cutlasses allegedly date back to 1980 also but I've yet to see any dates on necks that go back before 1983. I did own an Artist Cutlass c/- Cliff Williams that was basically a cutlass neck mated to a preEB body. Neck date was 1984, body date was 1979.

Alembic continued producing graphite necked basses until around 1985 although very, very low numbers from 1984 onwards due to issues with Geoff Gould and quality control that impacted on both Alembic and Musicman's decision over whether to continue offering graphite necks.

Steinbergers were being marketed from [url="http://www.steinbergerworld.com/fliers/80flier.jpg"]1980[/url] onwards. The idea for resin injected, composite necks was being developed by Ned while he was working for Stuart Spector in the late 70's. Youtube vids here:

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/46175-steinberger-doco-from-1983/page__p__459920__hl__steinberger%20ned__fromsearch__1#entry45992"]http://basschat.co.u...h__1#entry45992[/url]

Have no idea about Status, a 1981 date would be a bit of a revelation. Mark King played them from 1983 onwards I believe.
[/quote]

[Bassnut62]

[quote name='lapolpora' timestamp='1320587496' post='1428594']
Unrequited lust for that impossible to find Cutlass
[/quote]

there was a Cutlass in a guitar shop called Music Scene in Mansfield for ages - not sure if the bass is still there......

i tried unplugged and didn't like the feel of the neck at all compared to my 79 Stingray maple neck.

[mr zed]

Maybe of interest to someone on here? I'm in no way connected to the seller (just like looking at Musicman basses on ebay to see what comes up! Sad I know but I bet i'm not the only one!!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Musicman-Stingray-Bass-HH-Status-Graphite-Neck-/320789309400?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4ab08867d8

[Magnolia]

[quote name='mr zed' timestamp='1320843017' post='1432114']
Maybe of interest to someone on here? I'm in no way connected to the seller (just like looking at Musicman basses on ebay to see what comes up! Sad I know but I bet i'm not the only one!!

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Musicman-Stingray-Bass-HH-Status-Graphite-Neck-/320789309400?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4ab08867d8"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item4ab08867d8[/url]
[/quote]

The red tint to the carbon weave looks awesome.

[Aero]

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1320826709' post='1431797']
I thought the idea was good for a fretless, maybe...... not so convinced there is much or anything to gain over a well fitted wooden neck.

It would have to be very much better, as they look fawful.. IMO
[/quote]

Looks are obviously subjective, and if its not your style, can't argue with that.

I'll assume you have not actually played a Status neck. The biggest differences I find are in the resonance of the neck and the low action.
For me, the less the neck resonates, the more solid it feels.

Fender basses have always seemed more variable in neck quality so I think many might benefit from a swap.
Stingray necks seemed to have a more consistent quality to them. Differences would be less pronounced. I am happy with my maple necked Ray.

Graphite is expensive but you have to search a long way and pay top dollar to get similar in wood.
If Squier could release an affordable graphite necked pbass, bet they would sell like hot cakes.

Cheers

Fran

[EBS_freak]

I'm not entirely sure that the action of a graphite neck can be set any lower than a wooden neck. I have all my actions set ridiculously low - and that includes both graphite and wooden necks. The key is more down to an accurately set truss rod and a great fret job (and of course, a correctly cut nut, a shimmed neck if necessary and a bridge that will adjust low enough).

[JTUK]

[quote name='Aero' timestamp='1320855187' post='1432325']
Looks are obviously subjective, and if its not your style, can't argue with that.

I'll assume you have not actually played a Status neck. The biggest differences I find are in the resonance of the neck and the low action.
For me, the less the neck resonates, the more solid it feels.

Fender basses have always seemed more variable in neck quality so I think many might benefit from a swap.
Stingray necks seemed to have a more consistent quality to them. Differences would be less pronounced. I am happy with my maple necked Ray.

Graphite is expensive but you have to search a long way and pay top dollar to get similar in wood.
If Squier could release an affordable graphite necked pbass, bet they would sell like hot cakes.

Cheers

Fran
[/quote]

I have played Status and also agree about some necks being marginal in quality..this is why you don't scrimp there IMV.

I have some wooden necks that sustain for ages with very low actions.
One of those was a bog standard 80's MM.. as it happens and I'll long remember that MM could make good basses.

I am not against a graphic neck.., just that I think you can get great necks made in wood.
I would think an average graphite neck would likely be better than an average wooden one but then I would also think £300-400 for a wooden neck would be the going price, IMO

[Fat Rich]

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1320855476' post='1432327']
I'm not entirely sure that the action of a graphite neck can be set any lower than a wooden neck. I have all my actions set ridiculously low - and that includes both graphite and wooden necks. The key is more down to an accurately set truss rod and a great fret job (and of course, a correctly cut nut, a shimmed neck if necessary and a bridge that will adjust low enough).
[/quote]

I find I can set my Status necks to a low action and they'll stay there whatever the temperature, moisture levels, time of year.

I can also set my Fender and my Stingray neck equally low but after 4 or five months when the seasons change (or more likely when the central heating dries out the air) I need to give them a tweak again. Maybe mine are more sensitive to moisture because I've gone through the finish on the back of the necks on most of the Fenders and the Stingray has that oily finish rather than lacquer.

Edited November 9, 2011 by Fat Rich

[EBS_freak]

[quote name='Fat Rich' timestamp='1320858997' post='1432424']
I find I can set my Status necks to a low action and they'll stay there whatever the temperature, moisture levels, time of year.

I can also set my Fender and my Stingray neck equally low but after 4 or five months when the seasons change (or more likely when the central heating dries out the air) I need to give them a tweak again. Maybe mine are more sensitive to moisture because I've gone through the finish on the back of the necks on most of the Fenders and the Stingray has that oily finish rather than lacquer.
[/quote]

Fair enough point... but an odd truss rod tweak doesn't scare me - although I understand others are reluctant to touch it. The point I was trying to emphasise is that a graphite neck is not essential to get low action.

[Aero]

[quote name='Fat Rich' timestamp='1320858997' post='1432424']
I find I can set my Status necks to a low action and they'll stay there whatever the temperature, moisture levels, time of year.

I can also set my Fender and my Stingray neck equally low but after 4 or five months when the seasons change (or more likely when the central heating dries out the air) I need to give them a tweak again. Maybe mine are more sensitive to moisture because I've gone through the finish on the back of the necks on most of the Fenders and the Stingray has that oily finish rather than lacquer.
[/quote]

Totally agree with you on this mate.

Had a headless Status since the early 90s, never needed adjusting. Once set the stay

[Aero]

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1320859213' post='1432429']
Fair enough point... but an odd truss rod tweak doesn't scare me - although I understand others are reluctant to touch it. The point I was trying to emphasise is that a graphite neck is not essential to get low action.
[/quote]

Not disputing that but the original poster was asking why people change to these necks.

One of my reasons was that you get a good action that lasts. Specially if you gig a lot.
No point in swapping necks if you 've got to keep working on it
I think the first reply to this post (from MB1) had it covered

cheers

Fran

[stingrayPete1977]

Other people have said a truss rod tweek was still required from time to time, I can also vouch for EBS freaks[i] ridiculously [/i]low action even on his old fashioned none progressive or forward thinking wood necked basses! Although I think my bow and arrow action has started to rub off on him a little bit over the years, I reckon there is 2 or 3 fag papers under the 12th fret these days rather than 1