Sambrook Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 This is probably one of those questions where the answer is obvious to everyone but me. In the interests of advancing the frontiers of our knowledge, however, here goes: What makes a neck 'fast'? I personally prefer a chunky neck, and find a slim, Jazz neck cramping. So for me, a chunky neck IS a fast neck. Does it mean you have to open your hand wider,which slows you down? I've noticed also, in reviews (BGM) a bigger neck is labelled 'comfortable', which I agree with. Does this mean a slim neck is UNcomfortable? Sorry about the slightly random thoughts, but all input appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigman Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 I find a slim jazz neck the most comfortable. In my opinion a fast neck is one without a sticky finish that allows the fretting hand to move around it unencumbered by a sticky finish. I find gloss finishes sticky and slow and my nitro finished Warmoth slim taper jazz neck super fast and very comfortable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 A fast neck is different things to different people, so there is no definitive answer. Like you I don't like jazz profile necks & prefer really chunky ones. I've also never had any problems with gloss lacquered or painted necks, which plenty of people hate & say they find "slow" or "sticky". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Rhys P said it best.. there is no such thing.. just like there is no best bass, no best music.. everyones hands are different.... different necks for different people.... you could say that a good jazz bass neck is very fast... but for some one with very big hands it may not be as fast to get around.... more nonsense phrases from the world of bass geeks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Usually when a bass is advertised as having a 'fast neck' it means that it's slim, and/or has tighter string spacing. But I agree, it's a silly thing to say because people prefer different things... I mean Billy Sheehan loves those ridiculously massive 70's P bass necks! [quote name='Twigman' timestamp='1354296026' post='1884619'] In my opinion a fast neck is one without a sticky finish that allows the fretting hand to move around it unencumbered by a sticky finish. I find gloss finishes sticky and slow and my nitro finished Warmoth slim taper jazz neck super fast and very comfortable. [/quote] This makes more sense to be honest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 I struggle more with a jazz width nut, and don't like a c profile neck either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Foxen Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Playing it for ages makes for a fast neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 I can't play fast on any neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 So why don't we have "fast strings"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 One with this on the fingerboard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil-osopher10 Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 [quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1354308649' post='1884771'] I can't play fast on any neck. [/quote] I'm with this man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4 Strings Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Can I throw in a couple more? What is a slim neck? Is it slim top to bottom (ie shorter frets) or front to back? Also, which is 'C' and 'D' shape? Is a C rounded and a D more square, flatter at the back? I've always thought slim was front to back and thin shorter frets (like Jazz). Am I right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kongo Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 [quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1354319129' post='1884909'] Can I throw in a couple more? What is a slim neck? Is it slim top to bottom (ie shorter frets) or front to back? Also, which is 'C' and 'D' shape? Is a C rounded and a D more square, flatter at the back? I've always thought slim was front to back and thin shorter frets (like Jazz). Am I right? [/quote] A slim neck would be like one on an Ibanez SR; very thin. Doesn't always need to be thin at the nut, it's just not as "chunky". Visualise a P-bass neck, now think of a neck opposite of what that is. I agree though, it's very subjective. Billy Sheehan is one of the fastest guns in the west, yet he plays the chunkiest necks you can get. But then again, doing that on anything other than a 4-string could be tiresome. It's not just about neck thickness though. People look at that and feel it the deciding factor. Fingerboard radius also counts, as does spacing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daz Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 (edited) A very subjective thing is a 'fast neck' I suppose the definitive answer might be 'A neck that you can get around quickly on' Although a tad trite, that is essentially it. This speedy neck could be one thing or a combination of many, such as: A surface that allows for fast moving of the fretting hand with no dragging, No sticky out sharp fret edges to, again, make for a fast getaway up the neck and back down again. Without tearing ones hand to pieces. Size of neck, as in width, i.e. Jazz or Precision widths (usually 38 and 42mm [i]ish[/i], respectively) This doesn't necessarily mean a Jazz is easier. Some folks have played P bass for years and cant get on with a Jazz basses thinner spacing between strings. This makes them correspondingly slower with the thinner Jazz neck Or maybe its the profile of the neck that is the deciding factor ie a C or D shape, or some thing in between? Some people can slide up and down with the speed of a on a fret less neck, but couldn't do the same on a fretted bass. Or maybe they could if the frets them selves were thinner or old style fat frets. Some have gigged with one bass for so long, and worn their frets down so much that when they try and play on any other bass its like they have just started learning. But give them back their old knackered fret friend and they slide up and down it like lighting to a conductor rod. I have probably left quite a few things out here. So to answer the question. "what is a fast neck" The answer is, one that you can play on fast. What [i]makes[/i] that neck fast though is a whole different kettle of waggon wheels. Edited December 1, 2012 by daz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul torch Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 [quote name='Twigman' timestamp='1354296026' post='1884619'] I find gloss finishes sticky and slow and my nitro finished Warmoth slim taper jazz neck super fast and very comfortable. [/quote] If you have a "sticky" finish to a neck, just take some fine wire wool to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 I guess for a 'fast neck' to be a distinguishing feature there must be some slow necks out there but you never hear about those. What is a slow neck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 I used to know a guy with a Slow Hand ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essexbasscat Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 I suspect that as we chop and change instruments, many people got used to necks of all shapes and sizes over time, both gloss and matt finish. I do find instruments that require a lighter finger pressure to intonate properly a bit quicker to jump around on, as there seems to be less overall muscle tension/relaxation involved for the fretting hand. Probably different for everyone though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 [quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1354308859' post='1884775'] One with this on the fingerboard [/quote] So that counts out fretless necks then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 It is what most of these "attributes" are - sales patter. Butter? Patter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joker2807 Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 it tends to be the cheaper basses that have the sticky neck.. although I picked up a MIM precision in PMT and that wasn't too silky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HMX Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 I think Guy Pratt said it well. 'It means you can play it fast. It's an indefinable thing. Some guitars you can, some guitars you can't.' It's all about preference, right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 [quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1354360296' post='1885134'] It is what most of these "attributes" are - sales patter. Butter? Patter. [/quote] I could never tell talk from mutter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcus bell Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 Always found status graphite necks to be fast. I like the flat profile on the back of the neck , but as mentioned before its personal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fl3tch3rb0y Posted April 3, 2013 Share Posted April 3, 2013 Neck Profiles: C, D, Asymmetrical.....etc I need to decide upon a neck profile for a five string bass which I have just ordered! So any thoughts which might help me decide would be much appreciated. I'm moving up from a four to a five so it's gonna feel strange regardless! I hear a lot of good things about the asymmetrical necks so any thoughts on that would be appreciated. As it stands the only specification I'm providing for the neck is the fingerboard which I am going for completely flat. As for the back, the actual neck profile I'm not sure what would be best. I previously owned a Warwick thumb 4, the neck I loved. Had a few jazz basses which again were great. Also had a Warwick corvette 5 which was good however I hated the Warwick corvette rock bass 4 string which I tried in a store and I think that was a 'D' shape? I'm thinking 5 should be flatter but maybe for structural strength it might not be as flat as I'm expecting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.