Neck Mod for String Popping???

[Scotty Huff]

Ok, I know this will possibly be a weird question, but has anyone done a mod to the neck of their bass to make more room for their fingers while popping (slap/pop)?

I have a Music Man 5 HH and the only real space I have for my fingers to grab the D & G strings is between the end of the neck and the neck pickup. There isn't much room in there and I feel it's a hindrance. I was considering having the very end of the neck shaved/carved down, just under the D & G strings, to make a bit more horizontal room for the fingers. Has anyone done this?

I'd have to leave enough wood for the last fret to have support, but maybe some sort of "scooped" approach would give me just a few more mm of space. It's currently "ok" when doing a single finger pop, but forget attempting a double pop. I'm either hitting the neck or the pup.

Thoughts? (no laughing)

 

[Gorn]

Like this?

 

[202dy]

You adjust to the space available, not the other way around. Millions of players have done it already. You can, too.

If you are the rare person who cannot adapt their style to the instrument, you've the wrong instrument. The answer is to replace it.

It is easier and cheaper to adapt one's technique to the instrument.

 

[SkylineFiver]

Sadowsky Slapmaster has a deeper neck pocket to accommodate slapping.

 

[FRoss6788]

Get yourself a Stingray 5H and be done with it....

 

[Lesfunk]

Get yourself a Stingray 5H and be done with it....

Truth

 

[Bob_Ross]

Mike Pope's Signature model Fodera has a removeable section of fingerboard to facilitate slapping.

 

[RSBBass]

I have been slapping and popping for over forty years and never needed more space than the width of my finger.

 

[Scotty Huff]

Like this?
View attachment 4880611

Why Yes! Looks like a factory job though. I'm wondering if anyone had theirs modded after the fact, how they did it, etc.

 

[Scotty Huff]

You adjust to the space available, not the other way around. Millions of players have done it already. You can, too.

So your answer is "no" then?

 

[Scotty Huff]

I appreciate the "opinions" but the question is "have you done this or heard of it being done." I know the snooty snoots among us will get their dander up. Just wondering if someone has done this and how they went about it. Call me whatever name you like. I also play with a pick sometimes (In case you need more ammo).

 

[Scotty Huff]

I have been slapping and popping for over forty years and never needed more space than the width of my finger.

Yup. One finger pop is ok. But trying the double pop thing is difficult without more space.

 

[Scotty Huff]

Get yourself a Stingray 5H and be done with it....

Very helpful idea. I'll send you my Venmo so you can give me the $2K+ I'll need for that.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Like this?
View attachment 4880611

This!Not the bending scallops,but the recess at the end of the fretboard.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Why Yes! Looks like a factory job though. I'm wondering if anyone had theirs modded after the fact, how they did it, etc.

That’s not super hard especially if the neck is a bolt on. I’d probably pencil on the shape you want then use chisels and gouges to get close the lines and finish up with scrapers and sandpaper on curved blocks. Then add some finish (since the one in the picture is a maple board). If you’re good with a Dremel you could use that to get close then still finish with scrapers and sandpaper. Take your time. Do it when you’re clear headed and not rushed. You could get some scrap wood the same as your neck or fretboard to do a trial run on also. Hopefully your truss rod adjusts at the headstock end?

 

[FRoss6788]

Very helpful idea. I'll send you my Venmo so you can give me the $2K+ I'll need for that.

Well, you can sell the bass you want to cut up to fund the purchase of the 5H.

 

[Scotty Huff]

 

[Scotty Huff]

That’s not super hard especially if the neck is a bolt on. I’d probably pencil on the shape you want then use chisels and gouges to get close the lines and finish up with scrapers and sandpaper on curved blocks. Then add some finish (since the one in the picture is a maple board). If you’re good with a Dremel you could use that to get close then still finish with scrapers and sandpaper. Take your time. Do it when you’re clear headed and not rushed. You could get some scrap wood the same as your neck or fretboard to do a trial run on also. Hopefully your truss rod adjusts at the headstock end?

This is the approach I was thinking. Truss adjustment is at the body end, however, so I'd have to be mindful of that. I'd have a pro do this, of course, not me! Plenty of talent for that here in Nashville. Seeing the image Gorn posted, I think it's possible. Just got to decide if I have the cherries to do it! It's already such an astounding instrument. Hate to muck it up.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

This is the approach I was thinking. Truss adjustment is at the body end, however, so I'd have to be mindful of that. I'd have a pro do this, of course, not me! Plenty of talent for that here in Nashville. Seeing the image Gorn posted, I think it's possible. Just got to decide if I have the cherries to do it! It's already such an astounding instrument. Hate to muck it up.

That’s part of the reason I mentioned chisels and gouges. Things can still go wrong that way but it at least usually happens much slower then with a Dremel.

 

[Wood and Wire]

Have you considered lowering the pickups, so that the neck humbucker isn't such an obstacle?




(as a side effect, It will lower the output, a bit, but also even out the dynamic response, a bit).