Semi-acoustic neck width

[SICbass]

Hi All,

 

I have an Eastwood Classic 4, a Harley benton Beatbass and even a real Hofner Violin Bass (on loan).

They all sound great, but have that typical, short-scale narrow neck. I can work with it, but it is a bit of a drag.

This week, I finally played an Epihone Jack Casady and immediately... I was home. It is SO much more comfortable to play with the wider string spacing, but as many people say, more like a precision bass sound, than the typical semi-acoustic thump.

 

I've tried looking at the spec of various basses on Thomann, and they generally just talk about scale length and nut width, which doesn't answer the question. Most are 41,5mm - 43 mm nut width, but the Jack Casady has the same nut width, so that clearly doesn't help assess the string width higher up the neck.

 

My question: Can anyone tell me of other semi-acoustic basses with a similarly wide neck, that are more typical soundwise?

 

Cheers,

Paul

[Len_derby]

My Yamaha Bex has a 40mm nut and a 12th fret of 55mm.

[BigRedX]

I don't know about the 4-string version, but my 5-string MiK Warwick Star Bass II had similar neck specs to my favourite 5-string basses.

[SICbass]

54 minutes ago, Len_derby said:

My Yamaha Bex has a 40mm nut and a 12th fret of 55mm.

 

Oooh that Bex pretty. Oh god no, GAS attack. Thanks for the tip.

[pete.young]

My Epiphone Century Deluxe is 42mm at the nut and 56mm at the 12th fret. It's fairly deep too. String spacing is 18mm at the bridge.

[SICbass]

On 28/02/2025 at 10:27, pete.young said:

My Epiphone Century Deluxe is 42mm at the nut and 56mm at the 12th fret. It's fairly deep too. String spacing is 18mm at the bridge.

Sorry, I only just spotted this suggestion. Niiiiiice - Matron I’ll be needing the GAS medication…. ooooh!

[andruca]

On 27/02/2025 at 14:28, BigRedX said:

I don't know about the 4-string version, but my 5-string MiK Warwick Star Bass II had similar neck specs to my favourite 5-string basses.

 

True. I own the same bass (5 string also). It's comfortable to play despite the thick neck. I've played the 4 string RockBasses on several occasions, don't know the specs but it seemed like regular 19mm spacing to me.

 

Thing is the Star Bass is probably not the best example of acoustic/hollow sounding bass the OP is asking for. It's Jazz Bass'ish,  but fatter, not that much hollow honk. Still, can definitely get in the beatlesque ballpark on flats (the shorter 32" scale 4 string is better at that).

 

It reacts like a solid body too (no microphonics or feedback) and also the feel is more that of a solid body bass (a solid maple block runs all along the center of the body). One with MASSIVE sustain BTW.

 

I got mine because I gave up dealing with the unpredictability of ABGs/semihollows in different spaces for my occasional amplified acoustic gigs. I can more then fake it now with the Star Bass' looks while having proper performance, with a tone that still totally cuts it for acoustic gigs. Not the purest of approaches to "acoustic" gigs, I know I'm cheating 😅

[Grahambythesea]

If your’re happy in short scale but want wider string spacing then the. Gibson EB2/ Epiphone Rivoli semis are precisely that. Admittedly the originals are rather pricey but Epi did a reissue that sell 2nd hand for reasonable money. They have the thump in bucket loads.

[Grahambythesea]

Just remembered there’s one for sale on here.

[Alanko]

My '90s Epiphone Rivoli had a nice meaty neck on it, from memory. Not uncomfortable, but not the half pool cue necks that turn up on some shortscales.

 

One of the few basses I regret selling.

[SICbass]

5 hours ago, Grahambythesea said:

If your’re happy in short scale but want wider string spacing then the. Gibson EB2/ Epiphone Rivoli semis are precisely that. Admittedly the originals are rather pricey but Epi did a reissue that sell 2nd hand for reasonable money. They have the thump in bucket loads.

 

5 hours ago, Grahambythesea said:

Just remembered there’s one for sale on here.

Ooh, that looks just the ticket, if the string spacing is as you say it is. 
Hmm, but I‘m in Europe and get whacked with import duty. 
I‘ll definitely keep an eye out for one of those over here - thanks for pointing this out 👍