High Tension but Slim Neck

IconBasser

Scuba Viking
Feb 28, 2007
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Hey guys! I'm shopping around, trying to figure out my next purchase to save up for.

I'm looking for something that naturally has above average string tension; for what I play, stiff strings makes it easier to be precise. In conjunction with this, I really prefer slimmer necks, especially in the depth dimension.
I've been playing a Carvin IC5 for about 10 years now, and the neck is decent. The width is plenty comfortable, the depth could maybe be a little slimmer (though it's really not too bad). The real issue is the tension - it's always been a bit too loose.

I'm guessing that 35" in the way to go. I'm pretty much exclusively looking for a custom shop instrument (unless I find something stock that blows me away). Something with 17-18mm string spacing and a very slim profile.

Some examples of "steps in the right direction" that I've come across have been Ken Smiths and Marleaux's (really shallow profile), though neither has been 100% spot on to what I want.

Any suggestions?
 
True but a poorly made thin neck might not like high tension.
I would guess a dual action truss rod and reinforcement rods would be a requirement.
 
Flats such as D'Addario Chromes, Fender 3050 (especially the old green silk/brass ball-ends 3050s before D'Addario started making them) and Labella 760 feel relatively high tension for their gauge.
 
My Geddy Lee neck was thin but not poorly made at all but I did have to constantly tweak the truss rod so it went up on the bay. Maybe it was just that particular neck as I'm sure many others don't have that problem but boy was it a well made neck. And for all those who say the binding and blocks are painted in, not true as I removed the plastic nut to install a bone but and clearly the binding was not painted on. Sorry for getting off topic ;) I agree it's more about string tension and the materials the neck is made of (five piece or maybe really stiff wood).
 
As always for these discussions, it's worth reminding that what we feel in our fingers is stiffness, not tension. They are related but not synonyms.
Given equal tension (same strings, tuning and scale), difference in stiffness comes from the instrument.
The main factors are neck rigidity (graphite necks rule this game) and at the end of strings, breaking angle (the more the better).
 
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I know you're looking for basses, but I just want to throw out one more string suggestion: Circle K (or Kalium). You can customize the strings so you have equal tension across the whole instrument, and of course go higher in tension uniformly. They're also awesome strings. I've never had strings that sound as good throughout their life, and are as clear sounding.
 
I like MTD (35" scale) but I feel that front to back the 635 is more slim than a 535, but that could just be my perception since the 635 has a wider neck. If you are in So. Cal. I highly recommend heading down to Bass San Diego, they have a lot of boutique basses in stock. You could try a Smith, Dingwall, Fbass, Fodera, MTD, etc. etc. they are nice people too. If you decide you like a particular builder but want a specific wood combo, they could likely also order it for you.
 
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