What are the "Jazz" basses with thicker neck?

[mario_buoninfante]

Hi,

I was wondering what are the jazz basses out there that by default (no mods) come with chunkier necks.
Anything let's say 1.57" upward, C profile, etc..

 

With "jazz basses" I mean anything with the classic JJ pups configuration, both passive and active circuitry.

 

Cheers,
Mario

Edited November 28, 2022 by mario_buoninfante

[Hellzero]

Yes, it's called a Precision Bass. 🤣

[Hellzero]

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

[Doctor J]

Jazz Confusion necks.

[Beedster]

Make a bitsa, easy to do and often not only cheaper and more bespoke but often higher quality than something you’ll get off the shelf for the same cash. Warmoth, Allparts and Mighty Mite (in that order) all make good quality Fender-fit parts, or you can source used parts by any of thise as well as Fender, Squier etc. A Jazz with a Precision neck is a considerable improvement on a Jazz with a Jazz neck IMO 👍

[jrixn1]

Maruszczyk Elwood.

[Dan Dare]

9 hours ago, Beedster said:

A Jazz with a Precision neck is a considerable improvement on a Jazz with a Jazz neck IMO 👍

 

Do you have "big hands"? There's a luthier (ahem) whose work sometimes features on here who may have just the thing for you 😊

[Jonesy]

The G&L JB is thicker back to front and rounder in the hand than the current Fenders. It's still 38mm at the nut though, so might not be exactly what you're after.

[Lozz196]

I`ve got a couple of the 2013-16 Fender US Standard Jazz basses, the necks are deeper on these than any other I`ve tried. Still nothing like a Precision of course as the nut width is regular Jazz, but still quite chunky.

[gjones]

The necks on 70 type Jazzes, with inlays, are usually significantly chunkier front to back. I have a USA 75 reissue and a Mex 70s reissue, both with inlays, and they are pretty chunky compared to a standard Jazz.

[fretmeister]

Sandberg are 39.5mm at the nut which is 0.3mm difference to your archaic units.

They are quite full front to back though - certainly deeper than many J's I've tried.

[mario_buoninfante]

Cool, all nice info guys, thanks. I'm just surprised there aren't as many J basses out there with a nut width > 1.5-1.6".
I'm trying to get my head around that, because I do like necks with a nut width > 1.65" and I know I'm not the only one.
All I'm trying to say is that I think there would be a market for that, unless there is a particular reason behind this choice that I can't think of.

[fretmeister]

I think it's tradition and ease of manufacturing.

It's long been established in people's minds that a Jazz has 2 pickups and a skinny neck, and a P has 1 pickup and a fat neck.

 

Giving too many options actually ends up with fewer basses in the shops to try. Shops aren't going to order both neck options on everything just for the showroom. So they order the common and popular items. Then the other option doesn't sell as well... and then gets discontinued. It's very circular.

 

Sandberg use the same neck shape for all their basses so from a neck POV you either like them all or none of them. Works for them very well. Occasionally I see a "Can I have a 44mm neck?" type question on their social media and the answer is No. They'd have to either build an entirely new neck production line for them or interrupt the existing one and reprogram for the occasional orders. Either way that is time and money they don't need to spend. They are a relatively small company so don't have the assets to just decide to order a load more machines - or get another building set up etc etc.

 

But - if you want to make a bitsa, there are hundreds of options for fender compatible parts. 

[Hellzero]

You can always put a P-Bass neck on a Jazz Bass body, as they are compatible, but if it's too tight don't stress the neck pocket as you might chip the paint.

 

It's a solution, certainly not the solution.

[Jonesy]

There are plenty of people here who feel the reverse, so you may be able to buy a Jazz and find someone who wants to swap necks with you?

 

 

[mario_buoninfante]

yap, it all makes sense and just for the records, I'm happy with manufacturers sticking with their design instead and offering 20 versions of the same thing.
I truly believe that's the way to go!

I was genuinely just curious

and yes, it seems relatively straightforward to make your own bitsa

[Chienmortbb]

On 30/11/2022 at 15:11, Hellzero said:

You can always put a P-Bass neck on a Jazz Bass body, as they are compatible, but if it's too tight don't stress the neck pocket as you might chip the paint.

 

It's a solution, certainly not the solution.

I was looking at the opposite. JAZZ neck on a Precision Body. They are not the cheapest but Northwest's necks and bodies are interchangeable.

[Guest]

On 30/11/2022 at 11:11, fretmeister said:

Sandberg are 39.5mm at the nut which is 0.3mm difference to your archaic units.

They are quite full front to back though - certainly deeper than many J's I've tried.

Archaic? It may be old, but 9 fathoms and 31 cubits at the nut is perfectly clear and understandable!

[Paul S]

If you were lucky enough an unmolested 90s Squier Jazz 'Silver Series' might turn up - these had a 40mm wide neck at the nut, the same neck as the 'Silver Series Precision', in fact.  And were damned fine instruments, the pickups were superb as well. 

[Reggaebass]

On 30/11/2022 at 09:24, gjones said:

The necks on 70 type Jazzes, with inlays, are usually significantly chunkier front to back. I have a USA 75 reissue and a Mex 70s reissue, both with inlays, and they are pretty chunky compared to a standard Jazz.

I’ve had those and I think they had a 38mm nut but was definitely deeper than a standard jazz neck from front to back, really nice basses 

[TrevorG]

The Ultras have a U neck which I find feels chunkier. 

[mario_buoninfante]

4 hours ago, Paul S said:

If you were lucky enough an unmolested 90s Squier Jazz 'Silver Series' might turn up - these had a 40mm wide neck at the nut, the same neck as the 'Silver Series Precision', in fact.  And were damned fine instruments, the pickups were superb as well. 

This looks interesting. On a slightly different note, the Squier Vintage Modified and the most recent Classic Vibe seem to be really solid bass at super reasonable price too.

This to say, I'll keep my eyes open, but as if it wasn't tricky enough, I'm left handed...

Edited December 3, 2022 by mario_buoninfante

[kodiakblair]

Not strictly a standard jazz bass and you'd have to hunt down an older model; the early Revelation RPBX had a 42mm nut.

 

[mario_buoninfante]

3 hours ago, kodiakblair said:

Not strictly a standard jazz bass and you'd have to hunt down an older model; the early Revelation RPBX had a 42mm nut.

 

 

I like the PP configuration

[kodiakblair]

8 minutes ago, mario_buoninfante said:

 

I like the PP configuration

Aye, Alan Entwistle Neodymium split coils came as standard in those basses.

 

Was a great bass, massive regrets over selling it 🙁