looking for a Jazz bass with a thicker neck- suggestions?

[MarkJC8]

You would think there would be a lot of Jazz neck Precision body frankenfenders floating around given the fact that most people seem to like thinner bass necks overall...

err... other way around... P neck on Jazz body

 

[MarkJC8]

I've put together a lot of MIM J bass bodies with MIM J and P bass necks and they all fit just fine. Most were tight enough to hold the neck in place without bolts. No strings of course, but the fit in the MIM's I've had experience with would best be described as interchangeable between P and J necks and bodies. I started out buying aftermarket bodies and necks but it was a crapshoot on neck pocket and neck heel matching without at least some touchup, or completely rework the pocket route or neck heel. I tried a few randomly acquired MIM bodies and necks and was sold. It was the quick and dirty and least expensive way to put together another bass when I didn't want any stock hardware and didn't want the additional work of ensuring a proper neck alignment/mounting, when all I wanted was a platform to load with parts I already had on hand.

Good to know. I guess that was what Leo was after when he designed the original instruments to be repaired quickly and easily.

 

[MarkJC8]

I went the other direction and used a Jazz Bass neck with a P-bass body. I sourced the neck from Guitar Parts, Bodies, Necks, Pickups, Fender, Gibson and more | The STRATosphere, splurged a little on an American Pro Jazz neck. However, it screwed right on, the frets were level and well dressed, and it needed very little setup to be ready to roll. I already had the Hipshot tuners; that install took a half hour.

All that said - Fender has been using bolt patterns other than their standard 4-hole on some of their higher end basses lately. You have to know what you're getting to make sure it will fit.

Nice P bass there!

 

[MarkJC8]

Jino Jazz Bass® | Electric Basses

Fender Japan's Kenji Hino signature Jino model might just be the most versatile Jazz Bass ever

Check out the Fender Jino signature bass out of Japan - nice chunky U- shaped necks on these.

that is crazy... I've never seen that model

 

[musicman556]

that is crazy... I've never seen that model

I'm actually working to procure one from Japan right now, haha! (The Fender Jino signature)

I played a USA Geddy today. The neck was not as chunky as I was expecting, TBH. I was either going to buy the Geddy, or put that money towards a Jino and one of the Fender Elemental Jazz basses. Decided to go Japanese. Hoping I'll have them by the end of next week. If this thread is still trudging along by then, I'll report on the Jino neck profile.

 

[MarkJC8]

The issue is common and the path is clear. Get a regular 'ol jazz bass and play it exclusively for a month. See if you adapt to the smaller neck. If not, put a P neck on it.

Don't overthink it, and don't go down the rabbit hole of thinking you need some specialty bass for thousands of dollars more than a regular jazz bass.

I go between P, Jazz, short scale, and guitar all the time... weird for a day or two and then I'm in the groove.

Hands down the best value I've found for a Jazz bass is the Harley Benton MV-4(or 5)JB(and PJ) . It has Gotoh GB7 tuners, a 'caramelized' neck (best I can figure is that they left it the roasting oven for less time), Alder body, ABS inlay blocks and binding, and a pretty solid folded bridge with brass saddles. The fretwork is great and the nut is cut fairly well.

I was looking at a Lakland Skyline DJ4 which is also said to have a thicker maple neck profile, Swamp Ash body, licensed hipshot ultralight tuners, Lacland bridge, and also has synthetic inlays and binding.

The DJ4 is made in Indonesia PLEK'd in Chicago, and has Lakland house made single coil pick-ups/harness, so it seemingly perfect, though people do swap the Pickups. I just saw on Sweetwater that is $1568, no bag, and weighs 10 pounds. I've seen them as the light as 8 1/2 pounds, and as heavy as 10 1/2.

The Harley Benton is made in one of 20 east Asian factories, has Roswell pick-ups, fit and finish is great (90% perfect). I don't like the sound of the electronics, though they are kind of noisy with the tone at 100%. It also does not come with a gig bag, and weighs about 10 lbs. I got this bass shipped from Thomann in Germany, with a very sturdy canvas, 20 mm foam gig bag, to my door for $294.

I have said before, from now on if I'm not looking at a handmade, I am going to start with Harley Benton.

View attachment 4990336

I know this sounds like a sales pitch but it's just that after 30 basses in just as many years, I feel very satisfied with a purchase.

Larryfales also mentioned Harley Benton. Seems almost too good to be true for that low price. But that is a sharp bass in the picture.

 

[MarkJC8]

The 1951 MIM precision neck (for sale at fender.com) is huge , thick, round and deep.

that same exact neck is on my Fender Mike Dirnt RW Precision bass... it is nice and thick like a baseball bat!

 

[MarkJC8]

I’d vote you keep things the way they are and adapt to using both precision and jazz necks.

Chances are you’re going to come across them other times in the future and rather than it feeling completely foreign to you (perhaps creating buzzes and mistakes), just play it enough that the change is adaptable.

The more basses you own, play, and come across, the more this will happen.

Sure, there is value in consistency of feel.
If you value that consistency enough to only play P sized necks or thicker, then so be it… just stick to that and throw a P neck on there.

However, potentially you will get a lot more out of trying to adapt to multiple types of feels instead.

This is very sensible advice. Thanks.

 

[MarkJC8]

I'm actually working to procure one from Japan right now, haha! (The Fender Jino signature)

I played a USA Geddy today. The neck was not as chunky as I was expecting, TBH. I was either going to buy the Geddy, or put that money towards a Jino and one of the Fender Elemental Jazz basses. Decided to go Japanese. Hoping I'll have them by the end of next week. If this thread is still trudging along by then, I'll report on the Jino neck profile.

Good to know about the USA Geddy Lee bass... lots of mentions on this thread so far. Good luck on the Jino!

 

[MarkJC8]

Our summary so far...

Warmouth/All Parts/Musikraft J neck (lots of votes here)
Fender Elite P neck (debated)
Fender Nate Mendel P neck
other Fender P neck
Fender Mark Hoppus J
Fender Geddy Lee USA J
Fender RW 60s J
Fender MIM J prior to 2018
Fender Ultra Jazz (debated)
Cort Elrick NJS
Fender American Vintage ‘74 J or American Original 70s J
Fender Custom Shop Reggie Hamilton J
Glarry J
Squier CV50 P neck
Harley Benton JB 75 or MV4 JB
Squier Paranormal J
G&L 70s Tribute JB
Fender Japan Noel Redding J
Yamaha Attitude LTD
Fender Hybrid J MIJ
Fender American Highway 1 J
G&L JB4
Fender Vintera J
Warwick Rockbass
Lakland Skyline DJ4
Fender Steve Harris P neck

 

[Larryfales]

Larryfales also mentioned Harley Benton. Seems almost too good to be true for that low price. But that is a sharp bass in the picture.

Check out some of the reviews on YouTube. $225 with shipping to Indiana. Mine needed a little fret end filing but not super bad. The American ash body is stunning but be warned it is very heavy if that's a concern for you. For the money it cannot be beat.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

If you can find a Steve Harris Model Precision neck - highly recommended. D shaped. Chunky but narrower nut than a standard classic P.

My understanding is that all generations of the Steve Harris precisions had 1.75” nut width.

 

[elgranluis]

Our summary so far...

Warmouth/All Parts/Musikraft J neck (lots of votes here)
Fender Elite P neck (debated)
Fender Nate Mendel P neck
other Fender P neck
Fender Mark Hoppus J
Fender Geddy Lee USA J
Fender RW 60s J
Fender MIM J prior to 2018
Fender Ultra Jazz (debated)
Cort Elrick NJS
Fender American Vintage ‘74 J or American Original 70s J
Fender Custom Shop Reggie Hamilton J
Glarry J
Squier CV50 P neck
Harley Benton JB 75 or MV4 JB
Squier Paranormal J
G&L 70s Tribute JB
Fender Japan Noel Redding J
Yamaha Attitude LTD
Fender Hybrid J MIJ
Fender American Highway 1 J
G&L JB4
Fender Vintera J
Warwick Rockbass
Lakland Skyline DJ4
Fender Steve Harris P neck

You forgot the Mike dirnt.

 

[TrevorG]

Our summary so far...

Warmouth/All Parts/Musikraft J neck (lots of votes here)
Fender Elite P neck (debated)
Fender Nate Mendel P neck
other Fender P neck
Fender Mark Hoppus J
Fender Geddy Lee USA J
Fender RW 60s J
Fender MIM J prior to 2018
Fender Ultra Jazz (debated)
Cort Elrick NJS
Fender American Vintage ‘74 J or American Original 70s J
Fender Custom Shop Reggie Hamilton J
Glarry J
Squier CV50 P neck
Harley Benton JB 75 or MV4 JB
Squier Paranormal J
G&L 70s Tribute JB
Fender Japan Noel Redding J
Yamaha Attitude LTD
Fender Hybrid J MIJ
Fender American Highway 1 J
G&L JB4
Fender Vintera J
Warwick Rockbass
Lakland Skyline DJ4
Fender Steve Harris P neck

A couple of those basses are the kind of prices that would justify having something built for you... just saying.

 

[musicman556]

Good to know about the USA Geddy Lee bass... lots of mentions on this thread so far. Good luck on the Jino!

Thanks! I just sent payment, and the seller sent these pics. Can't wait!

 

[MarkJC8]

I tried a Squier Paranormal J yesterday and couldn't believe how well-built it was. I never really paid much attention to Squier basses... but this turned my head around. Exceptional QC and construction with a thicker neck at the nut. Seriously considering it. Looks really sharp, quite unique.

 

[Larryfales]

I tried a Squier Paranormal J yesterday and couldn't believe how well-built it was. I never really paid much attention to Squier basses... but this turned my head around. Exceptional QC and construction with a thicker neck at the nut. Seriously considering it. Looks really sharp, quite unique.

Yeah Squier really stepped up with the Vintage Modified and Classic Vibe series. Even the newer Affinity series is not bad.

 

[Mike Vee]

Have you ever owned a jazz bass? I played Precisions only for like 10 years and then got a Jazz Bass about 2 months ago. It felt weird for like, one hour, and now I love it. It's really nice to have the variety in tone AND feel. You'll appreciate the thinner neck soon enough., Then, you'll be looking for a P-bass with a Jazz neck, not the other way around.