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PhatTele · January 7th, 2009, 04:02 PM

Can a Jazz Bass neck drop fit onto a P-Bass body?

I know that in the guitar world Tele and Strat necks are not really interchangable (different heel shapes). Also, being new to basses, I don't know if Jazz basses and P-Basses have the same scale length or not. So, before I drop some $$ on a JB neck, I was wondering if it would even fit.

Thnx

graphs · January 7th, 2009, 04:04 PM

They do have the same scale length. I've seen a P neck on a J body before so I'm sure it's fine to switch them. I've never heard of a rounded/flat incompatibility like teles and strats.

tonewoods · January 7th, 2009, 04:17 PM

I don't know how effortlessly these went together, but here ya go:

graphs · January 7th, 2009, 04:27 PM

Very nice! I love those 70's jazz bass necks.

aunchaki · January 7th, 2009, 04:44 PM

This is a common swap for those who prefer the narrower Jazz Bass neck, but like the simplicity and drop-dead THUMP of the Precision Bass. There should be no fitting issues (as between Strats and Teles).

wnorcott · January 7th, 2009, 05:30 PM

I have seen it done before.

Zmatko · January 7th, 2009, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aunchaki

This is a common swap for those who prefer the narrower Jazz Bass neck, but like the simplicity and drop-dead THUMP of the Precision Bass. There should be no fitting issues (as between Strats and Teles).

As he said, i'm assembling a p-body with a j neck right now, both from allparts and the fitting is just about there.

djdeacon · January 7th, 2009, 08:21 PM

Fender used to make them that way. In old Fender catalogues, you'll find a special-order Precision listed with a "slim" neck. That's all it was. They were favoured by Carol Kaye, among others.

4mal · January 7th, 2009, 08:49 PM

Yep. Works fine.

Shoved BassVIII · January 8th, 2009, 05:19 AM

Its the way it should be done

marshman · January 8th, 2009, 10:08 AM

Just to be contrary, I've been playing a pretty wide-necked Rickenbacker for nearly 20 years and feel that a Jazz neck might actually be TOO thin at the nut. Don't get me wrong, I can play it, but it feels off somehow.

If you've already got the bits, go ahead and switch away, but if you haven't yet, slide out to a music store and find someplace to sit and play a jazz, unplugged, for a little while to determine if it really feels right.

GuitarJonz · January 8th, 2009, 10:15 AM

Putting a J neck on a Pbass is a rather common mod, no issues, as both heels are round shaped, only the tele bass has the flat heel. As mentioned above, those who wanted a Jazz-like nut width could order an "A" neck from Fender, which had a 1.5" nut, like the Jazz bass. The standard P bass nut width was 1 11/16, known as a "B" width neck.

Old Cane · January 8th, 2009, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shoved BassVIII

Its the way it should be done

This is my favorite setup as well.

PhatTele · January 8th, 2009, 12:45 PM

Alright...thanks! I guess I can move ahead with confidence

Vince a · January 8th, 2009, 02:35 PM

Just to add . . . Fender makes, advertises, and sells one with just that mod. I have one:

Zmatko · January 8th, 2009, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marshman

Just to be contrary, I've been playing a pretty wide-necked Rickenbacker for nearly 20 years and feel that a Jazz neck might actually be TOO thin at the nut. Don't get me wrong, I can play it, but it feels off somehow.

That's pretty much my thought also, the slender feel just about goes to the thin side, i mean the single coils of a jazz bass have a thing to keep that sensitive sound but with a p-bass you can't imagine it that way, it's just thump! and honk! all the way.

Still i am making one, n i feel enthusiastic.

Shoved BassVIII · January 9th, 2009, 06:00 AM

To each their own. for me its gotta be a J bass neck. Anything else feels funny.

A.B.Negative · January 9th, 2009, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince a

Just to add . . . Fender makes, advertises, and sells one with just that mod. I have one:

I have a Squier Precision which has a Jazz-width nut (and a Jazz pickup next to the bridge). It's about 10 years old, I think it's a Precision Special (my friend's borrowed so I can't check).

superbadj · January 9th, 2009, 09:55 AM

Yep, I have a P-bass Special.

J-neck. P-body. P/J pickup setup (one of each...p in the mid position, j at the bridge).

Super combo.

PhatTele · January 10th, 2009, 12:03 PM

Re: P-Bass Special - Yup...I decided that, rather than throw more money at this parts bass, I should pick up one of those P-Bass Specials (found one last night...black w/silver anodized pickguard). It should be just the ticket. Thnx y'all!

January 7th, 2009, 04:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
PhatTele Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 836	Jazz neck on a P Body?? Can a Jazz Bass neck drop fit onto a P-Bass body? I know that in the guitar world Tele and Strat necks are not really interchangable (different heel shapes). Also, being new to basses, I don't know if Jazz basses and P-Basses have the same scale length or not. So, before I drop some $$ on a JB neck, I was wondering if it would even fit. Thnx

January 7th, 2009, 04:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
aunchaki Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Western New York Posts: 2,651 46 Photos	This is a common swap for those who prefer the narrower Jazz Bass neck, but like the simplicity and drop-dead THUMP of the Precision Bass. There should be no fitting issues (as between Strats and Teles). __________________ Two Teles + One Strat + Four Acoustics (6, 6, 12 & solidbody 6) + One Bass (5 strings) = 53 strings total

January 7th, 2009, 05:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
wnorcott Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New Hampshire, USA Age: 56 Posts: 862	I have seen it done before. __________________ I play old school because I am old school.

January 7th, 2009, 08:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
djdeacon Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Age: 54 Posts: 462	Fender used to make them that way. In old Fender catalogues, you'll find a special-order Precision listed with a "slim" neck. That's all it was. They were favoured by Carol Kaye, among others. __________________ "If you make a mistake, play it twice, so the audience thinks it's intentional" Visit the Deacons on the web at http://djcdeacon.wordpress.com

January 8th, 2009, 10:08 AM	#11 (permalink)
marshman Friend of Leo's Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SE PA Age: 44 Posts: 3,751	Just to be contrary, I've been playing a pretty wide-necked Rickenbacker for nearly 20 years and feel that a Jazz neck might actually be TOO thin at the nut. Don't get me wrong, I can play it, but it feels off somehow. If you've already got the bits, go ahead and switch away, but if you haven't yet, slide out to a music store and find someplace to sit and play a jazz, unplugged, for a little while to determine if it really feels right. __________________ 42

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January 7th, 2009, 04:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
graphs Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,767	They do have the same scale length. I've seen a P neck on a J body before so I'm sure it's fine to switch them. I've never heard of a rounded/flat incompatibility like teles and strats.

January 7th, 2009, 04:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
tonewoods Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Orcas Island, Washington Age: 62 Posts: 1,677 17 Photos	I don't know how effortlessly these went together, but here ya go:

January 7th, 2009, 04:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
graphs Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,767	Very nice! I love those 70's jazz bass necks.

January 7th, 2009, 08:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
4mal Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The Gorge Posts: 2,990	Yep. Works fine.

January 8th, 2009, 05:19 AM	#10 (permalink)
Shoved BassVIII Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lima Ohio Age: 31 Posts: 710	Its the way it should be done

January 8th, 2009, 10:15 AM	#12 (permalink)
GuitarJonz Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Central Mass. Posts: 3,684 7 Photos	Putting a J neck on a Pbass is a rather common mod, no issues, as both heels are round shaped, only the tele bass has the flat heel. As mentioned above, those who wanted a Jazz-like nut width could order an "A" neck from Fender, which had a 1.5" nut, like the Jazz bass. The standard P bass nut width was 1 11/16, known as a "B" width neck.

January 8th, 2009, 12:45 PM	#14 (permalink)
PhatTele Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 836	Alright...thanks! I guess I can move ahead with confidence

January 8th, 2009, 02:35 PM	#15 (permalink)
Vince a Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Modesto, CA Age: 66 Posts: 876	Just to add . . . Fender makes, advertises, and sells one with just that mod. I have one:

January 9th, 2009, 06:00 AM	#17 (permalink)
Shoved BassVIII Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lima Ohio Age: 31 Posts: 710	To each their own. for me its gotta be a J bass neck. Anything else feels funny.

January 9th, 2009, 09:55 AM	#19 (permalink)
superbadj Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: roanoke, va Age: 38 Posts: 3,280 24 Photos	Yep, I have a P-bass Special. J-neck. P-body. P/J pickup setup (one of each...p in the mid position, j at the bridge). Super combo. __________________ ___________________________________________ Rhythm is an area, not a point! -My brother

January 10th, 2009, 12:03 PM	#20 (permalink)
PhatTele Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 836	Re: P-Bass Special - Yup...I decided that, rather than throw more money at this parts bass, I should pick up one of those P-Bass Specials (found one last night...black w/silver anodized pickguard). It should be just the ticket. Thnx y'all!

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