raindog Posted October 22, 2013 Author Share Posted October 22, 2013 Well I've made a few Cigar box guitars, but my finishes tend more towards 'Punk' than 'Jazz' I do enjoy woodwork, and my Brother has made a few electric violins....We could team up and produce a Wishbass.....Perhaps my NEXT Bass will be a Wishbass :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 Go for a 5 string, they can't help but be wider, although some can be quite slender front to back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesBass Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 Hi Jeff, Welcome to the wonderful and eclectic world of BassChat! The only thing to bare in mind about a neck is if it's comfy. Personally I hate thin necks, it feels too cramped and too much like a guitar neck to me. The only way to find out which bass is for you is to go and try it, try and play your choices through the same amp using the same settings, which should be flat, all knobs pointing upwards, apart from master volume and gain! As for actual basses, if I were you, I'd look at any P Bass that you can afford, I'd also look at a Jazz bass as well as the others that people have suggested! Keep an eye on the for sale section on here as you can occasionally grab a bargain Good luck with your shopping, let us know what you get James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raindog Posted October 22, 2013 Author Share Posted October 22, 2013 Hi ezbass, now THERE'S a thought..... :-) I might have to go the opposite way and get a TWO string Bass Thanks, James :-) Lots of good advice from people on here! I'm looking forward to trying some of the suggestions out. Lots of votes for the P Bass and similar. I'll be sure to put up a reply on here revealing the final choice. Probably won't be till after Christmas as I won't be able to afford it till then :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tm486 Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 [quote name='raindog' timestamp='1382435224' post='2252021'] I'm in Bournemouth, Geoff, thanks for the offer, though! The good thing is that Bournemouth seems to have more than it's fair share of Music shops. Interesting, Rhys! It just goes to show that whatever feels comfortable is the important thing, and logic plays no part in it. My gut feeling is that a thinner neck will suit me, but my brain says that my frying pan hands would suit a big neck. I shall have to suck it and see! [/quote] Guitar Mania in Poole have a good selection of Ibanez basses which generally have very skinny necks, and Absolute Music is pretty good too. Just go to as many places as you can get to and try as many as you can. If it helps, I have pretty big hands too, and my go to bass has a very skinny neck. I've got a precision too, which is also pretty comfortable, but I prefer the skinny neck. I wouldn't be concerned about hand size, just go and try a few that take your fancy and pick the most comfortable one. Good Luck, Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomBass Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 The slimmest neck I've had was a SR700. An absolutely fabulous instrument, but ultimately I did not get on with the neck - in fact I'd suffer cramp in my left hand at the end of a set. This was the only reason I had to let it go. Next came a Jazz which is thicker. My current favourites are my Yamaha BBs and my Vintage V4. All slightly different neck-wise, but all very comfortable for me. Try some and see what feels best for you, but sometimes it's only after extended playing you get a real feel for the long term comfort. Cheers Geoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raindog Posted October 22, 2013 Author Share Posted October 22, 2013 Cheers, Tom! I've passed that Guitar Mania shop many times on the bus.....So I reckon it's time to get off the bus and investigate :-) Interesting about your preference for skinny necks....I suspect I'll feel the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raindog Posted October 22, 2013 Author Share Posted October 22, 2013 Hi Geoff.....From the recommendations so far I'm leaning towards the Yamaha BBs and the Vintage VJ74's. I suppose the best I can do is get a taste of these basses from trying them in a shop. After that you have to pay your money and take a chance :-) Looking forward to the search, though. Getting there is half the fun :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomBass Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 (edited) The discontinued BB414 has a slightly slimmer neck compared to the current BB range, and they pop up on here from time to time - they aren't available new any more (unless you manage to find new old stock somewhere). I have a black one - but the metallic orange one is gorgeous. However, IMO there is something very rock n roll about a BB424X (the one with the pickguard and metal control plate). The Vintage VJ74 has a slimmer neck still, and is 38mm wide at the nut. The BBs are 40mm. Ideally, get to try some out. Cheers Geoff Edited October 23, 2013 by RandomBass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raindog Posted October 23, 2013 Author Share Posted October 23, 2013 Ta Geoff :-) I really like the look of those X models....Shiny shiny! The VJ74 seems to have a great sound to it, good and solid, and the Yamaha BBs have real punch to them as well. I like that punchy Bass sound :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomBass Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Yes out of the two, the BB is definitely punchier. It also has a wider selection of tones available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raindog Posted October 23, 2013 Author Share Posted October 23, 2013 Would you say the cheapest of the BB range has the same punch as the pricier models, Geoff? Yamaha say that this is the case, I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 I don't measure necks, I play them. If I like them I buy the bass (or keep it if I've already bought it!); if I don't like the feel, I pass that instrument by. The "feel" has [i]something[/i] to do with the neck dimensions, for sure - but it is far from the only consideration. For example, I generally like Fender Jazz basses, but I have played some where I really dislike the neck shape. If the sound is great, I might put up with it but it's more likely that I won't. BTW, I have pretty big hands too. I think it is quite common among bass players! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Also, there are many different types of "big hands"!! I have very large, meaty palms - but although my fingers are very thick, they are not particularly long. Compare that to someone like, say, Stanley Clarke - when his fingers must be about seven inches long... Horses for courses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raindog Posted October 23, 2013 Author Share Posted October 23, 2013 Hi Conan! Thanks for the advice :-) I suppose it's impossible to make one Bass that would suit everyone, too many variables in people's body shapes and tastes. I wonder if any Bass company has thought about detachable necks, so you could choose your favourite feeling neck and just bolt it on to a standard body. Then, I suppose, the 'standard body' wouldn't suit everyone either :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raindog Posted October 23, 2013 Author Share Posted October 23, 2013 You've got me measuring my fingers now, Conan! My longest is 3.5 inch, but my maximum stretch from tip of thumb to tip of little finger is 10.5 inch. No idea what that means, though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomBass Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 My experience of the 414 and 1024 is that the former is just as punchy as the latter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusco Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 + 1 for the BB424x the neck is great, fatter than a jazz but not a baseball bat either. Have you considered an Overwater/Tanglewood Contemporary J ?. That has a similar neck, I have both and the OW shades it IMHO. Both are amazing for the money and a bargain 2nd hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusco Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Sorry meant to add.. I've tried a BB1024 too and with my novice hands and ears could hardly notice a difference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raindog Posted October 24, 2013 Author Share Posted October 24, 2013 That's good news Geoff :-) I'll put the Yamaha to the top of the try list :-) Great info, Rusco, Ta :-) I'll check out the OW and Tanglewood for sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomBass Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 [quote name='raindog' timestamp='1382538894' post='2253386'] You've got me measuring my fingers now, Conan! My longest is 3.5 inch, but my maximum stretch from tip of thumb to tip of little finger is 10.5 inch. No idea what that means, though [/quote] I feel a dedicated 'How Long Are Your Fingers' thread coming on.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raindog Posted October 24, 2013 Author Share Posted October 24, 2013 Just had a look at the OW/Tanglewood J. Very nice! I'll investigate further and try and find some vids :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raindog Posted October 24, 2013 Author Share Posted October 24, 2013 Oh no, Geoff! I might need counseling after some monster handed bassist comes along Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomBass Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 To the op: dunno if you are still looking, but there is a bb414 currently in the BC classifieds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrammeFriday Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 As others have said above, it doesn't necessarily follow that big hands = thick neck, or small hands = thin neck, for that matter. Actually, I'm not even sure that you need to 'take sides' on the thick vs thin question at all. My MIJ Jazz has a very slim neck profile, and my Stingray has a pretty chunky one, but I love playing both, and don't find either of them any easier or more difficult to play - I just see these differences as part and parcel of the 'personalities' of these two instruments, and I've always enjoyed the challenge of adapting my playing style to suit whatever bass it is I happen to be playing at the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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