Necks

[Vaachek]

Hey guys,
I've been playing guitar for 30 yrs. and want to buy my first
Bass. I want something than has a thin neck, so it's less of a
transition for me. So, any suggestions??? Am I stuck getting
a 4 string to keep the neck small or are there 5 or 6 string
bases out there that have fretboards that don't feel like
holding a 2 x 6??
Thanks for the help!!

[Nick Patterson]

I have a Yamaha four string with a nice thin neck. All of the new Ibanez's I've played have fairly thin necks as well (even the five strings). Hope this helps.

[d7music]

I play a 5-String Schecter C-5 and it is very comfortable for me.
http://www.schecterguitars.com/spec.asp?id=87#

[908SSP]

Yea Parker Fly Bass. Sound great has piezo as well as magnetic available in humbucker or single coil. Probably lighter then your guitar at 7lbs.

http://home.comcast.net/~908ssp/ParkerFlyBass.jpg

[Brian Scherzer]

Many of the Modulus graphite necks are relatively thin.

[Denyle_Guitars]

Roscoe basses have the thinnest necks I've ever played. It's the reason I've passed over several through the years, even though they're wonderful instruments.

[cheezewiz]

If you are looking on the budget end, the Ibanez soundgear series do have very thin necks. Another reasonably priced thin necked, well regarded bass is the Fender Jazz Geddy Lee Signature.

If it were me, I would look into some sort of Fender Jazz. They are pretty much the standard for good reason. They look great, they sound great, and they are very comfortable. If you want something with a humbucker instead of single coils, a Musicman Sterling has a jazz bass sized neck and is a great bass.

I wouldn't neccesarily limit yourself to four strings though. Many five string necks are extremely comfortable, and although they are much larger than a guitar neck, it's not that hard of an adjustment. Some of the best five string necks in my opinion are the Lakland 55 series, the WONDERFUL Sadowsky 5 neck (my favorite by far), and if you like slightly tighter string spacing, a Musicman Stingray 5 neck is fairly comfortable.

[alanbass1]

Alembic Stanley Clarke Signatures have probably the thinnest necks I have ever come across, yet they felt as comfortable as any bass I have tried. Also have 30/32/34" scale options.

The cons - price

[2 Loud 4 You]

Roscoe basses have the thinnest necks I've ever played. It's the reason I've passed over several through the years, even though they're wonderful instruments.

And that's why I love mine so much. I can comfortably play my six string without feeling like I'm wrapping my hand all the around to China to hold the neck.

[Funky Chicken]

+1 on the Sterling. It can be set up to be incredibly easy to play.

[Ishouldbeking]

Another thing to consider is scale length. I tend to prefer long-scale because I'm used to it, but a short-scale bass (30" or 30.5"=short, 32"=medium) would be easier to transition to from guitar, rather than jumping straight to a 34" scale. And that also opens you up to the world of hollow and semi-hollow basses, which can be a whole world of fun. And as a 4-string player myself, I don't consider myself limited by the fact that I don't have that extra 5th or 6th string, it's just a matter of what feels right to you, and whether or not you have a use for them.

[The Golden Boy]

30" scale basses are so easy to play- more fun than anything to sit around and play on the couch while watching TV and stuff.

My first bass was/is a Gibson EB-0. It sounds like poop, but it feels so wonderful. The 1.5" nut width and the short scale are just so... easy. The trade off is that it's not as full sounding as a full scale bass.

[Bassomatic]

Old Guild Pilot. Killer sleeper bass when you've got a good one(especially with the EMJ PJ setup).

[agreatheight]

If you are looking on the budget end, the Ibanez soundgear series do have very thin necks. Another reasonably priced thin necked, well regarded bass is the Fender Jazz Geddy Lee Signature.

This is exactly what I was gonna say. These are solid basses are reasonable prices. For the Ibanez, the SR500 is very nice - mahogany body and active Bartolini pick-ups. It'll run you $550 new, less used. The Fender Geddy Lee will set you back $800 new, less used.

Shame on you guys telling him to get a Modulus or and Alembic. It's his first bass; should he really spend that kind of money (+2000 for the Modulus, +4000 for the Alembic)?!

[Thor]

Take a look into Carvin. Very comfortable necks and on the thin side. Very well built and a great value to boot (and even better if you pick one up used). Owned a Carvin for many years - glad I did - ended up giving to a good friend who's son was taking up bass - still miss it a bit - easiest neck I've ever played.

Cheers,

Edward

[Tapp]

By thin do you mean a flatter neck profile or thinner at the nut?? Something like a Geddy Lee Jazz will be thinner at the nut but a more rounded back feel. A Peavey Cirrus will feel flatter on the back and thin at the nut. Both feel very nice, it's just a matter of preference. An Ernie Ball Stingray will feel clubby; like a P bass.

Tapp

[walterw]

as a rule, thicker necks will be more stable and will sound better than thin necks. as a rule.

more important, don't make the mistake of thinking that you have to somehow "settle" for a 4-string. 5's and 6's are not "better" than 4's, and in some ways don't sound as good, so choose wisely.

[lowendgenerator]

Yea Parker Fly Bass. Sound great has piezo as well as magnetic available in humbucker or single coil. Probably lighter then your guitar at 7lbs.

http://home.comcast.net/%7E908ssp/ParkerFlyBass.jpg

That bass does play great, one of the local mom n pop stores carries Parker.

Too bad God beat it with the ugly stick. :crazy

[countandduke]

I used to like thinner necks but now prefer a larger neck. It just seems more comfortable to play. I would shy away from shorter scale lengths as the low end can start to become unclear. I have played a few Ibanez basses and they are indeed comfortable to play, but I just scored a Warwick Thumb bass that was on layaway for 6 months or so and I LOVE it!!!

Good luck...

Chris

[jyee]

as a rule, thicker necks will be more stable and will sound better than thin necks. as a rule.

more important, don't make the mistake of thinking that you have to somehow "settle" for a 4-string. 5's and 6's are not "better" than 4's, and in some ways don't sound as good, so choose wisely.

+1... also consider why you want a thinner neck. i know a lot of guitar players want thinner necks because they hold it the same as a guitar... which really isn't how it's supposed to be done. your thumb should be centered behind the neck, not all the way around it. in otherwords, you know how some guitar players wrap their thumb around the neck to hit bass notes in chords like a D/F# (200232)... that's a really bad way to hold a bass.