[color="#0000FF"][i][quote name='Fat Rich' date='Jul 18 2011, 12:33 PM' post='1307703']
My experience is limited to Status basses, I'd say that graphite necks have more bite and note definition than wooden necks. Mine have an astonishing amount of sustain and ooomph, and the harmonics really ring out clearly and are easy to find. I also find graphite neck basses seem to take on the character of the strings more than wooden necked basses, sounding very different if I put Slinkys, DRs or Hotwires on.
The older Status necks are completely rigid and have no truss rod, they sound brighter and a bit clattery to my ears. Your technique has to be very good or you'll get a lot of fret buzz.
The newer ones have a less rigid neck and a truss rod, you can add a bit more relief if you want but the neck is still very stable and doesn't need adjusting for climatic or moisture changes. I think the less rigid neck takes some of the edge off the sound but you still have lots of sustain, harmonics and note definition. Again you need a fairly clean technique but less so than for the completely rigid necks.
There's pretty much no way you're going to get a traditional Fender / Stingray / Rik / whatever type sound out of a graphite necked instrument which is why I have a Fender for that. But for a modern sound graphite can't be beat in my opinion, shame it's so expensive![/i][/color]
I'd beg to differ with the last comment.
I get a great live P-Bass and jazz tone from my modded basses with graphite necks.
I would say they do sound a little clearer though, with these active EMGs, when recorded.
With passive pickups I can't hear much difference.
For me , the main difference is in how they feel , resonate and respond to your playing style, and thats a matter of taste (Marmite anyone)
I'd say theres more difference between using a through-neck or all graphite bass than a bolt on graphite neck.
My Status 2000 is unforgiving when it comes to fingerstyle but it can do a good impression of most bassess
Fran