chrisanthony1211 Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 (edited) After many many years and many more basses, and at the risk of being a little controversial, I've finally decided that graphite necks are where it's at. My experience is limited to status graphite and modulus graphite necks, and various musicman, Sandberg, fender and overwater basses, but not only do graphite necks stay in tune regardless of temperature changes, but they look cool, sound fantastic with no dead spots, and I've come to the conclusion that they can actually feel more organic and natural to play! In short, I do love a bit of graphite! Edited October 23, 2015 by chrisanthony1211 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 [quote name='chrisanthony1211' timestamp='1445621631' post='2892935'] but not only do graphite necks stay in tune regardless of temperature changes [/quote] You need to try a Moses jazz bass neck then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisanthony1211 Posted October 23, 2015 Author Share Posted October 23, 2015 (edited) [quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1445621915' post='2892939'] You need to try a Moses jazz bass neck then. [/quote] Accepted, I've not heard great things about Moses necks which is why I've not tried one! Edited October 23, 2015 by chrisanthony1211 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 Try one and find all the claims about how great graphite necks are blown out the water. Their steinberger necks are very good however. So its not the brand, its moer the design of the jazz necks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 Didn't we do this a few weeks ago? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 Have to agree totally . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zawinul Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 [quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1445629046' post='2893040'] Try one and find all the claims about how great graphite necks are blown out the water. Their steinberger necks are very good however. So its not the brand, its moer the design of the jazz necks. [/quote] I was about to try and get a fender jazz with moses neck, are they really crap, what are the issues with them? Would love a status, series 3 fretless. no finds ,one day!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigman Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 I agree. I'm in love with my latest creation - a Warmoth DinkyP with a Status Jazz neck. It is the nicest bass to play that I've ever owned and it sounds fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigman Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 [quote name='zawinul' timestamp='1445696296' post='2893522'] I was about to try and get a fender jazz with moses neck, [/quote] Are you watching that one on ebay too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 [quote name='zawinul' timestamp='1445696296' post='2893522'] I was about to try and get a fender jazz with moses neck, are they really crap, what are the issues with them? [/quote] Completely lacking in rigidity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikay Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 Seems a bit of a one sided discussion! To balance things up I prefer wood. Granted composite is more consistent, but a traditionally built bass with a fabulous neck is a rarer beast altogether and a thing of great joy. It's the vagiaries of natural materials combined with craftsmanship and a dash of serendipity that give instruments individuality and character. Graphite is just good engineering, every one identical, consistency rather than character. Any one can do that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lo-E Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 Better? Hmmmm..... Really good? Absolutely! I love my old Modulus BassStar and I really want a Status neck for my Musicman, so I'm definitely on board with graphite, but 'better' seems a little strong to me. I'll go with "Different and every bit as good". and to chrisanthony1211, I'm glad you've found what you really dig! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linus27 Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 I would really like to get a Status Fretless neck for my Stingray someday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zawinul Posted October 25, 2015 Share Posted October 25, 2015 [quote name='Twigman' timestamp='1445699515' post='2893562'] Are you watching that one on ebay too? [/quote] I was but the bass has now been mysterioaly taken down! I do hate ebay!! An active mm sterling with graphite neck appeals as does a status in the meantime alan is calling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisanthony1211 Posted October 25, 2015 Author Share Posted October 25, 2015 (edited) I've had a couple of status in my time, I had one of the early stealths, one big slab of graphite, which although had no truss played beautifully, I sold it when my daughter was born as I never thought I'd play seriously again, big mistake, they never come up for sale! Although I do love a status, for me, I think Modulus just edge it! Edited October 25, 2015 by chrisanthony1211 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted October 25, 2015 Share Posted October 25, 2015 [quote name='ikay' timestamp='1445700912' post='2893575'] It's the vagiaries of natural materials combined with craftsmanship and a dash of serendipity that give instruments individuality and character. Graphite is just good engineering, every one identical, consistency rather than character. Any one can do that [/quote] Consistency depends on the quality of construction. I've had necks on Modulus basses that have been both too hard AND lacking in stiffness. Graphite has its own character. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chienmortbb Posted October 25, 2015 Share Posted October 25, 2015 If you go on TB there has been a lot of discussion about the variability/quality control on Modulus. I have no opinion #justsaying/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisanthony1211 Posted October 25, 2015 Author Share Posted October 25, 2015 I can only talk from personal experience, but I currently have three modulus necks which are first rate ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted October 25, 2015 Share Posted October 25, 2015 I loved my pair of Zon Legacy basses when I had them, easily the best basses with the best necks I owned in 36 years of playing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted October 25, 2015 Share Posted October 25, 2015 Every graphite neck manufacturer has had issues with consistency. The good news is that things are a lot better now than they were 30 years ago. Its taken 20 years for those responsible for pushing boundaries to learn how to do it properly...apart from Moses jazz necks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikay Posted October 25, 2015 Share Posted October 25, 2015 My Zon Legacy Elite fretless was, I have to admit, superb. For some reason I didn't really bond with it though, partly I think because I just prefer the feel of wood. I put this down to old age and approaching senility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattbass6 Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 May I bring in to this discussion, Vigier? My Excess 5 is unbelievable in every way. The 90/10 approach really, really works. I've had the bass for over a year now and I can't ever imagine being without it. I used to really worry about temperature changes and how it affected the necks on my past basses. I once saw my Lull neck move in a particularly cold gig and decided that I needed something far more stable as I hated having to adjust the necks myself. The Vigier has that "classic" wood feel (the smoothest neck I have ever played) plus, it has that graphite rigidity. The best of both worlds, in my opinion, of course. For the record, if Vigier didn't exist, I would be a complete graphite neck user too - Status, Zon or Modulus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynottfan Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 For me a Graphite neck is better, I also fly the flag for Status, WHY? Their necks are superbly crafted imho, and they stand up to my animalistic playing, when I play live I am giving it 100%, I have a heavy hand and my Graphite neck is rock solid and the tuning stability is for me second to none. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 Another vote for Vigier, I owned a stunning [i]passion [/i]in the 80's and the woven graphite neck was superb. Not sure i would say that graphite necks are better as such...horses for courses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocco Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 I've only had one graphite necked bass and I couldn't get on with it. I see the attraction but I do prefer wood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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