Fender VI neck width.

[eggwheat]

When did Fender make the Bass VI neck width thinner? I owed a 62, 3 switch and the neck seemed really wide. Then the 63' seemed to get a bit thinner. Until you have the 70's models which have ultra thin necks. Can anyone give year specifics to when these changes happened? At the nut the my 63' measures 1 and 9/16" the '75 measures 1 and 7/16"

[sookwinder]

I always thought that all bass VIs had the A width neck

never seen a (fender) bass VI with a B width neck

[thewizardofaz]

And isn't that and the 7.25 radius just nuts?

[sookwinder]

I actually like the extremel thin A width neck on the BAss VI  ... the reason is that the strings are so close you never get to feel fret board whjen you are playing so your fingers slide from string to string very easily.... I can play things on the Bass VI far quicker than say on my J basses.

Even though the cramped string spacing would seem a disadvantage to the playabilityy of the Bass VI, for me it actually helps.

[I  have medium to large hands fwiw]

[i love sharin foo]

Even though the cramped string spacing would seem a disadvantage to the playabilityy of the Bass VI, for me it actually helps.

I feel the same way. On paper, I always thought it would feel too tight. But in reality, it feels perfect to me.

Justin

[DB]

I have an RI and an 06 CS, and they are both 1.5" wide at the nut.  I have big hands and fingers (though not long), and I find the VI just fine.  And I'm a bass player who is typically used to wider spacing.  FYI, the neck width of the VI is the same as a Jazz Bass or Jaguar Bass.  I'll admit it does take a different playing technique.

DB

[thewizardofaz]

So, if you could, you wouldn't want a 1.65 neck with a flatter radius?? That's what I'm thinking about having USA CG make for me. I can alter saddles, assuming I use saddles with height adjust screws, very nicely. What's the neck profile on these btw?

[DB]

So, if you could, you wouldn't want a 1.65 neck with a flatter radius?? That's what I'm thinking about having USA CG make for me. I can alter saddles, assuming I use saddles with height adjust screws, very nicely. What's the neck profile on these btw?

Good point.  If given the choice, I would go with wider spacing and a flatter radius.  I used to be really picky about neck dimensions, but going between bass and guitar has made me more flexible.  But yes, in an ideal world I'd go for a bit more elbow room. And the flatter radius is nice if you're not doing a lot of bending, which isn't very likely on the VI.

Sorry, I do not know the neck profile of the VI.  Tell me what to measure and I'll do it for you.  I can tell you the Bass VI necks are not all that thick (deep) - nothing like a Gibson neck which IMHO is quiite close to a baseball bat (but I can still adjust to a Gibson neck fine - they're just different - but not my favorite).

DB

[sookwinder]

for me , I don't know ...  the A width on the vintage Bass VI necks makes it play like a guitar for me.  If the neck were wider maybe it would not play the same for me.

you really need to get a hold of one and play it for half an hour to see how you feel about the vintage widths.

[mjet]

you really need to get a hold of one and play it for half an hour...

Don't we all...

[thewizardofaz]

By size and shape I mean, is it a C or a D, I suspect a c, which is not so big. How thick at the nut and the 12th fret? I've got this little Tele I'm building and it's over 1 at the nut and a bit more at the 12th and a D shape. Fat chunkey monkey I call it.

Rick