BigAlonBass Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 I have read a lot of the guys on here saying that the necks on various Basses are "too thin" for them. My problem is very different. I have fairly thin and shortish fingers, and to top it all, I am looking at even more operations to replace my thumb/finger joints through arthritis. I am starting to find the Precision neck a bit of a painful stretch on some numbers, but I can't imagine NOT playing in the future. With this in mind, what Basses have you come across where you find the necks too thin/skinny for you to comfortably play? The thinner the better as far as I'm concerned, so I have a chance of reaching all the frets in my dotage! All comments welcomed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewart Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 That'll be any Ibanez SR/SRX (or of course a DWB3, like the one I have up for sale ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 [quote name='Stewart' post='82013' date='Nov 1 2007, 12:17 AM']That'll be any Ibanez SR/SRX (or of course a DWB3, like the one I have up for sale )[/quote] +1 on Ibby SoundGear necks - I played an SR800 for years, neck like a matchstick! I have pretty big hands & lately have gravitated towards wider fingerboards, though. Jon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bass_ferret Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 Jazz is the obvious answer. Thin necks like fat pencils. I think you need to work out your ideal nut width (precision 42mm Jazz 38mm) and then whether you can live with a semicircular (like half a circle) or more of a c section (which normally means shorter front to back than side to side but as you can see already is entirely dependant on font!). If you cant find what you want off the shelf there are lots of custom builders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilmour Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 another +1 on the Ibanez - really thin and fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elom Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 The skinniest of skinny necks is on a Fender Performer - it's like playing a chopstick, brilliant! [attachment=3197:full.jpg] Finding one is a different matter though. There was someone on here recently though who had a mint one that they were thinking about selling - worth a search. That's the only one I've ever seen (almost) for sale in the UK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul, the Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 (edited) Precision necks are too thick and the jazz neck I have now is too thin to be honest. But far more bearable than the P. I can't understand why people like the kind of neck where it isn't a half-circle. They're really uncomfortable for me. I think necks are tricky because they can take time to adapt to. I don't understand how the traditional Fender suit the majority, to be honest. I think it's a case of playing and finding something you like. Perhaps once you find something BCers can give ideas for basses with similar necks. What pickups are you after? I couldn't tell if you were an exclusive precision tone junkie or not. Edited November 1, 2007 by paul, the Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 (edited) Sorry to hear about your finger woes! +1 on both the Ibanez and Jazzes of all flavours (Squier, MIM, MIJ, MIA) Assuming that you're looking for a 4-string, you may find Yamahas pretty okay; BB414 BB614 & various RBXs. Got a bigger budget? Musicman Sterling Vigiers (Passion, Arpege or Excess) Custom... Edited November 1, 2007 by Lfalex v1.1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryPotter Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 Try a Cort Curbow, that's one of the slimmest easiest playing necks I have found, that's why I bought one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crumpet_tramp Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 (edited) Ibanez All the way! however i do need a jazz neck to replace the really dead bent one in my precision so i'm lookin out for a new jazz neck, hopefully maple fingerboard with "skunk stripe" Edited November 1, 2007 by crumpet_tramp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3V17C Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 my Ibanez SB900 i've just sold had the skinniest, slimmest neck of any bass i've ever played! lots smaller than a Jazz even - though they are hard to find basses. peace c Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odub Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 My Aria Pro 11 IGB-65 has a really small thin neck, small body too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 Gibson/Epi Thunderbirds have necks that are so skinny, the headstocks snap off if knocked carelessly. I remember playing an 80's Aria SB Elite which had a seriously skinny neck also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niceguyhomer Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 Try a Sterling - lovely slim neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cetera Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 Fender Geddy Lee Jazz or Cort Curbow... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 Warwick JD Thumb - not the standard Warwick, they've got necks like tree trunks. I've had mine for nearly 20 years now, couldn't resist buying it, even though it was an absolute fortune. I bought a non-JD Thumb more recently for defretting and had the neck skimmed down to the same profile as the JD Thumb. They are the two most playable basses I have ever played. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozbass Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 First, I'm really sorry to hear of the problems encountered. I know it's an expensive option, but a custom bass can give you pretty much whatever you want. I'm not on a retainer to the Gallery (see other posts), but the neck on my Sei is super slim. A custom order for a narrow board (and whatever taper suits you) shouldn't be an issue either. Also, have you considered a shorter scale? I find 32" or 33" a good compromise and there's a noticeable reduction is stretching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tait Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 (edited) +1 for an ibanez SR. not only are they slim necks, but they (the SR500 is the only one I've played, its on the right on my avatar) are extremely light and one of the best sounding basses I've heard for that price. If they had a fener logo i bet their price would be up with the american deluxe series. Edited November 1, 2007 by lwtait Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacDaddy Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 Forget the name, but the basses that were around in the 60's and are a tear drop shape, have an exceedingly slim neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebasshead Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 [quote name='MacDaddy' post='82395' date='Nov 1 2007, 05:31 PM']Forget the name, but the basses that were around in the 60's and are a tear drop shape, have an exceedingly slim neck.[/quote] Vox I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacDaddy Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 [quote name='stevebasshead' post='82404' date='Nov 1 2007, 05:43 PM']Vox I think[/quote] them's the ones! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 another vote for ibanez soundgear basses. By far the thinest necks i've played.... Bass collection or Tune basses are also pretty thin. Basically looking at late 80's or 90's metal/shred influenced designs would be your best bet. I'm not sure I'd agree with the comments on jazz basses. The width is pretty narrow yes but not that 'thin' by ibanez standards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnt Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 [quote name='Jono' post='82936' date='Nov 2 2007, 08:58 PM']Bass collection or Tune basses are also pretty thin.[/quote] The Tune that I have ([url="http://www.tuneguitars.com/store/wizmart.php?code=000101&lv=2"]TWB43[/url]) is thin, but not extremely so - probably comparable to a Fender Jazz. However, I agree with other posters, that you may want to consider a shorter scale as part of the solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoe_BillySheehan Posted November 3, 2007 Share Posted November 3, 2007 +1 on the geddy lee jazz, i had one and thats one of the thinest necks ive ever played Z x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryPotter Posted November 3, 2007 Share Posted November 3, 2007 I did try a Rockbass the other week and the neck was so slim it's like a pencil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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