Aero

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1320859213' post='1432429'] Fair enough point... but an odd truss rod tweak doesn't scare me - although I understand others are reluctant to touch it. The point I was trying to emphasise is that a graphite neck is not essential to get low action. [/quote] Not disputing that but the original poster was asking why people change to these necks. One of my reasons was that you get a good action that lasts. Specially if you gig a lot. No point in swapping necks if you 've got to keep working on it I think the first reply to this post (from MB1) had it covered cheers Fran

[quote name='Fat Rich' timestamp='1320858997' post='1432424'] I find I can set my Status necks to a low action and they'll stay there whatever the temperature, moisture levels, time of year. I can also set my Fender and my Stingray neck equally low but after 4 or five months when the seasons change (or more likely when the central heating dries out the air) I need to give them a tweak again. Maybe mine are more sensitive to moisture because I've gone through the finish on the back of the necks on most of the Fenders and the Stingray has that oily finish rather than lacquer. [/quote] Totally agree with you on this mate. Had a headless Status since the early 90s, never needed adjusting. Once set the stay

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1320826709' post='1431797'] I thought the idea was good for a fretless, maybe...... not so convinced there is much or anything to gain over a well fitted wooden neck. It would have to be very much better, as they look fawful.. IMO [/quote] Looks are obviously subjective, and if its not your style, can't argue with that. I'll assume you have not actually played a Status neck. The biggest differences I find are in the resonance of the neck and the low action. For me, the less the neck resonates, the more solid it feels. Fender basses have always seemed more variable in neck quality so I think many might benefit from a swap. Stingray necks seemed to have a more consistent quality to them. Differences would be less pronounced. I am happy with my maple necked Ray. Graphite is expensive but you have to search a long way and pay top dollar to get similar in wood. If Squier could release an affordable graphite necked pbass, bet they would sell like hot cakes. Cheers Fran

[quote name='dlloyd' timestamp='1320704445' post='1430433'] I bought one for £140 and sold it for the same on here a few years back... No idea what the going rate is now. [/quote] I got a new fretted jazz neck from status for £352 a year or two ago and a used lined fretless jazz for about £160 from a basschatter. (would like to swap for unlined fretless) Heres what I did with them: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/109322-no-end-to-gas/page__view__findpost__p__1027429"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/109322-no-end-to-gas/page__view__findpost__p__1027429[/url] I get a lot of comments about the necks at gigs, most people who try it love the feel and the low action even though, for some, graphite still has that stigma of the 80s. I don't like to fight my basses so this for me is near perfect. Always in tune, don't notice any temperature issues. Sustains forever. For some reason the fretted graphite neck feels heavier than my Japanese rosewood Jazz. ???? I've had a few 70s P basses which were ok but don't come close on the low action, the nearest was a 60s P bass that a mate had, ......he wouldn't sell it to me. cheers Fran

[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

So here are a couple of pics of the new P bass and the lined fretless jazz Both with Status Graphite Jazz necks and EMGs. They both play like a dream with low action and great sustain. The necks don't resonate as much in your hand which some may not like but to me it feels more solid and precise. Goes without saying the sound is great. Cheers Fran Pics.....

Hi all, Finally pulled the trigger on a Status Graphite Jazz neck for a new P Bass project. I decided I needed a 'bad brother' for my sweet Fretless Aerodyne Jazz, built earlier this year. Similar spec Fretted Status Graphite Jazz Neck Precision Body (from a Mexican Deluxe Special) EMG P-J pickups with BH1 preamp Schaller 2000 Bridge Scaller machines, straplocks, etc As usual the pickguard seems to present the most difficult decision. The body is Navy Blue (hmmm... Respray???) so I'm thinking pickguard could be Pearloid (black, blue or white) or.... chrome. I used to have a black precision with chromed brass pick guard in the late 70s, weighed a ton and near blinded the audience under bright lights. Bits should be arriving this today so I'll post pics. Any ideas on making a Navy blue bass look interesting are welcome Cheers Fran [quote name='Aero' post='770324' date='Mar 10 2010, 01:05 PM']Finally got phase one of the project finished. I decided to stick with the Fretted Aerodyne neck until I can get the fretted Status Jazz neck. That'll be Phase two. The John East J Retro preamp is unbelievable. There are so many Tonal variations and the passive switch puts the mind at rest should the battery die mid gig. Thanks to SparkyMark for the bits. Here are a couple of pics Cheers Fran [/quote]

Thanks 'essexbasscat' and the rest for organising a great day. Good to meet the rest of you guys too. Luckily I have no more room for bass GAS and the 'Austerity Measures' are kicking in. I might see some of you at the SE Bash if it happens Cheers Fran

Would everyone that wants to come to the day please copy this posting and add their name and equipement ot the list. That way, you can indicate your permission for me to add your name to the first posting of this thread many thanks T 01. Essexbasscat 02. Aero , I'll bring:- Status Fretless Neck Jazz /Fender Aerodyne Jazz- David Eden WT800-Eden 210XST and XLT - Eden 115 - H&K BassBase 600 03. 04. 05. 06. 07. 08. 09. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.