biro Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Hi all, just a very quick question. (Apologies in advance for not being able to use an older topic - the brand name just makes it very difficult to find suitable ones!) I just laid my eyes on a very nice Vintage V4 Tony Butler signature model. I don't care so much for the signature thing, but boy the bass looks good and the price would be right for my taste. However, as I like to tinker with my guitars I was wondering if anyone has had any experience in replacing the neck. I don't plan to, but you never know... Hence my question in more straightforward terms: are Vintage basses (Vintage as in JHS Vintage) compatible with Fender replacement necks? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barkin Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 I think the neck pocket's a couple of mm narrower - ~61mm against 63.5mm (2.5 inches) for Fenders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biro Posted November 2, 2014 Author Share Posted November 2, 2014 [quote name='barkin' timestamp='1414956429' post='2595068'] I think the neck pocket's a couple of mm narrower - ~61mm against 63.5mm (2.5 inches) for Fenders. [/quote] Thank you barkin! Oh dear, this is some kind of a disappointment, especially considering how good the bass looks. I might have to wait for the right Squier I am afraid. (Although sanding, could always be an option.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 The necks on the couple of vintage instruments that I've owned were good enough for me to not feel the need to swap them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biro Posted November 2, 2014 Author Share Posted November 2, 2014 [quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1414960696' post='2595139'] The necks on the couple of vintage instruments that I've owned were good enough for me to not feel the need to swap them out. [/quote] Thanks! I have no doubt that this is the case. The two 'Vintages' I have tried were very nice instruments, and I am sure the neck will be more than fine. My concern is partly a matter of precaution, partly me being a diehard tinkerer. (As in 'hey, this Status neck looks very nice!') Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 Understood Enjoy your tinkering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miles'tone Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 (edited) The V4 I used to own had the nicest feeling P neck, rock solid. An added plus over Squier is that the V4 has a full length headstock so it can wear true large vintage spec (like a Fender) tuners whereas the Squiers have a stubbier headstock so you need smaller bodied tuners. Edited November 3, 2014 by miles'tone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biro Posted November 3, 2014 Author Share Posted November 3, 2014 [quote name='miles'tone' timestamp='1415005380' post='2595424'] The V4 I used to own had the nicest feeling P neck, rock solid. An added plus over Squier is that the V4 has a full length headstock so it can wear true large vintage spec (like a Fender) tuners whereas the Squiers have a stubbier headstock so you need smaller bodied tuners. [/quote] Thanks man! I might have to take the plunge then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonzodog Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 Ive been gigging with the V4 tony butler sig for last 12 months and am very happy with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassmachine2112 Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 [attachment=175365:DSCN4071.JPG]I stuck a Vintage musoman copy neck on mine cause they didn,t do a maple neck at the time and it went straight in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telebass Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 Just a note: I have a Squier VM Jazz neck on one of my basses. Takes full size tuners perfectly, in this case a set of Wilkinson HWJB200s. Which is probably what's fitted to the V4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b7l4s Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 If you really really want to swap out the neck on the Vintage then a decent luthier could graft it on for you - it would be a one way journey for either the neck or the body, but it is possible... I like the neck on my Vintage at least as much as the neck on the various Fender/Squier/other p-bass types I have tried, but I too have a 'habit' of tinkering so sypathise with your concern. The last fail-safe is of course that Vintage basses (i.e. [b]V[/b]intage brand, not [b]v[/b]intage old) are outstanding value for money, so you could get another and keep one standard while modding the other... Good luck whatever you choose! Also, I have to say that the tuning stability on my V4 is outstanding - don't know for certain why, but 99% of the times I pick it up it is still in tune, and then doesn't need touching for the whole session. Love the damn thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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