Anyone bought a cheap (Chinese) neck off eBay?

[NancyJohnson]

All done.  All in, an hour or so to sort out (I needed to work inside the bass too).

 

Neck pocket needed a little bit of sanding...there was a bit of finish gunk in there from 45 years ago.  Fitted a new set of Wilkinson machine heads.  Didn't need any real set up, intonation/action is fine.  Noticeably Jazz Bass in profile (like my old Geddy.  I may sand the back of the neck in a few months (it still smells very new).

 

Genuinely surprised and impressed.  Shipping was quick and I didn't pay anything on top.  All in it was under £82.00.

 

I've always liked a dark fingerboard with block inlays.  My first bass (Columbus Jazz copy) had this and I suppose I've always had a soft spot for this set up.

 

In closing, yes it was supplied with a late '60s, early '70s Fender logo on it.  It's the first time I've ever had an instrument with a fake logo on it.  If you don't like it go and have a coffee and relax.

 

[MichaelDean]

That looks great! Enjoy!

[Pea Turgh]

That’s an impressively over-engineered bridge - it’s massive!  Cool looking bass overall.  Classic from afar, but with modern touches.

[NancyJohnson]

1 minute ago, Pea Turgh said:

That’s an impressively over-engineered bridge - it’s massive!  Cool looking bass overall.  Classic from afar, but with modern touches.

 

There's a few posts elsewhere relating to the history of this instrument, when I got it the bridge was missing a few bits, so I put a Hipshot Kickass on it. 

 

I doubt it makes the slightest bit of difference to the thing tonally, but to it's credit it's very comfortable as I tend to play with my palm very close or on the bridge.

[police squad]

it's a lovely surprise when they go together so easily

I've done 2 recently and am amazed at how good they are

[NancyJohnson]

It's quite odd, but just the change in one component (albeit a major one) and the bass is so much more appealing to me.

 

Been able to get the action down very low (maybe 2mm at the octave), much lower than the old neck, and acoustically it just sounds more resonant.

 

While I don't need any more basses, I genuinely find joy from doing stuff like this.  I can't believe that what I've done here is realistically that different from what (I can't remember their name) Limelight etc are doing, by sourcing and selling on cobbled together kit.  [Edit: I notice that all the Limelight stuff is now showing as Prices On Application on the classic and cool guitars site.]

 

My wife is now going on about me starting up something to earn a bit of £££ as I slip into an early retirement.  

 

😂

Edited May 4 by NancyJohnson

[police squad]

47 minutes ago, NancyJohnson said:

It's quite odd, but just the change in one component (albeit a major one) and the bass is so much more appealing to me.

 

Been able to get the action down very low (maybe 2mm at the octave), much lower than the old neck, and acoustically it just sounds more resonant.

 

While I don't need any more basses, I genuinely find joy from doing stuff like this.  I can't believe that what I've done here is realistically that different from what (I can't remember their name) are doing, by sourcing and selling on cobbled together kit.

 

My wife is now going on about me starting up something to earn a bit of £££ as I slip into an early retirement.  

 

😂

it's like a drug. I want to do more lol

[HowieD72]

I just bought a lightly roasted maple jazz neck off Ebay. Coming from China. It's going on my PJ parts build. I have a nice Fender Vintera 60's Roasted maple neck on my jazz bass. It will be interesting to compare them once the Chinese version arrives. Will update once it's installed.

 

 

Edited yesterday at 09:47 by HowieD72

[MrDinsdale]

I’ve got a modified Schecter p bass which sounds incredible, however ive just come to terms with the fact I like jazz necks better. 

 

It’s a shame because its a beautiful slim neck profile, reinforced with graphite rods etc.

 

Tempted to try a cheep one however no body makes any with the right square heel shape. Would need quite a bit of adjusting. Not to mention loosing the heel adjustment. 

 

[Stub Mandrel]

2 hours ago, MrDinsdale said:

however ive just come to terms with the fact I like jazz necks better. 

 

Me too. But today I've been playing my P with a vintage C-profile neck. Although it's wide, it isn't deep and it makes me less likely to wrap my thumb right around it. This is good for my arthritis ... food for thought.

[PaulThePlug]

6 hours ago, HowieD72 said:

 

Wouldn't get that 'lil headstock knotty on a F.

Nice bit of character.

Edited 23 hours ago by PaulThePlug

[HowieD72]

12 hours ago, PaulThePlug said:

Wouldn't get that 'lil headstock knotty on a F.

Nice bit of character.

That neck was actually the one on the Ebay listing. So that won't be the neck I receive. However, they were kind enough to send me pictures of the neck I will receive. This is it before they packaged to send.

 

 

[kodiakblair]

21 hours ago, MrDinsdale said:

Tempted to try a cheep one however no body makes any with the right square heel shape.

This blocked/bound reverse P-bass neck is a pretty good fit for Fender pockets.

 

 

 

Granted it's A. a P-bass neck and B. came from Ali-Ex but if you shift your focus from eBay the right neck can be had.  Tip for dealing with Ali-Ex is pick a real seller, if all they sell is necks then that's your seller. If they're using the same stock photos as other sellers then move on. When you've picked a seller, message them. Tell them exactly what you want, number of frets/ nut width/ heel shape/ finish. Provide them with sizes, trace the pocket and the scratchplate area. Give them the pocket depth.

 

More info you provide the better chance the seller can deliver your needs.

 

I'd have recommended Wang Guitars but my last dealings were 7 or 8 years ago.