Stewart Watson Posted October 18 Share Posted October 18 (edited) Hi, I have a '71 P bass with a 'U' neck profile and I find it too deep for my liking. I think it would be a long shot, but ideal, if I could find someone who will want to swap a '71 'C' shape. Now, my dilemma is... Should I get the neck reprofiled?... The neck has been revarnished at the back, the front of the headstock is original. This was done by the previous owner. It has a rosewood fretboard. Any thoughts folks? Edited October 18 by Stewart Watson Typo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted October 18 Share Posted October 18 I had a 2000 Warwick Thumb reprofiled to 1987 JD Thumb dimensions, which was a vast improvement. I suppose it's going to be the question of whether to keep it (almost) original or whether to improve it as a working instrument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted October 18 Share Posted October 18 Mmm, I’d get an Allparts or Warmoth neck with the appropriate profile, use it for a few months, and only if you’re 100% sure then get your neck done to the same dimensions. There’s always a risk doing work on a 50+ year old neck which you should keep in mind also 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewart Watson Posted October 19 Author Share Posted October 19 Thanks for your input guys, that's both my dilemmas. Although when the previous owner acquired it, the varnish had been sanded off the back of the neck, he revarnished it, so it's not really totally original now. But taking off about 4mm of wood is another matter. (gulp!) It doesn't have a skunk stripe. As regards to trying a different neck, I have an 2008 p-bass which has a lovely neck and that's the profile I'd aim for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted October 19 Share Posted October 19 I’d weigh up that altering the neck profile will devalue it, if you intend to keep it and have it just how you want it then it’s something to consider, my 71P has a very shallow neck, there’s not much difference with it and my jazzes except the nut is a few mm wider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted October 22 Share Posted October 22 On 19/10/2024 at 09:42, Stewart Watson said: Thanks for your input guys, that's both my dilemmas. Although when the previous owner acquired it, the varnish had been sanded off the back of the neck, he revarnished it, so it's not really totally original now. But taking off about 4mm of wood is another matter. (gulp!) It doesn't have a skunk stripe. As regards to trying a different neck, I have an 2008 p-bass which has a lovely neck and that's the profile I'd aim for. I take it you don't want to just swap the necks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted October 22 Share Posted October 22 On 19/10/2024 at 09:42, Stewart Watson said: Thanks for your input guys, that's both my dilemmas. Although when the previous owner acquired it, the varnish had been sanded off the back of the neck, he revarnished it, so it's not really totally original now. But taking off about 4mm of wood is another matter. (gulp!) It doesn't have a skunk stripe. As regards to trying a different neck, I have an 2008 p-bass which has a lovely neck and that's the profile I'd aim for. IMO 4mm is too much to risk taking off a vintage neck. There's another thread here somewhere in which people were describing the occasional 'banana' neck that came off the Fender production line in the 70's. I'm not sure what the reasons for those would be, but if I were you I'd be worried that removing 4mm of wood would reduce the structural integrity of the neck with the associated risk of fruit-like outcomes 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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