30 " Bass Neck Dimensions

[LVogt]

I'm interested in a Warmoth 30" Bass neck for a project and want to know the diameter of the curve of the butt end where it fits in the pocket... and
The radius of the corners of that curve. See attached.
As a parts dealer I would think they would be eager to help customers find what they want but they tell me it's a secret. That is secret? Seriously? Why? Keeping secret the technical dimensions of a part seems counter productive at best. How is buyer supposed to determine if it's what they want?
So, I'm reaching out to others who may know.
Other parts suppliers have provided their info but it's been different each time. 5", 6", 6.35"
Thanks

 

[supertruper1988]

knowing that they use fender dimensions in other areas, the smaller radii are likely 1/4" and the larger one is likely 5" but thats taking a big ol' assumption bassed (see what I did there?) on other Fender dimensions.

 

[aarontunes]

I'm interested in a Warmoth 30" Bass neck for a project and want to know the diameter of the curve of the butt end where it fits in the pocket... and
The radius of the corners of that curve. See attached.
As a parts dealer I would think they would be eager to help customers find what they want but they tell me it's a secret. That is secret? Seriously? Why? Keeping secret the technical dimensions of a part seems counter productive at best. How is buyer supposed to determine if it's what they want?
So, I'm reaching out to others who may know.
Other parts suppliers have provided their info but it's been different each time. 5", 6", 6.35"
Thanks

It's not like the secret formula for KFC chicken or Coca Cola. LOL. The dimensions aren't a very well-kept secret at all when they can be gleaned by measuring any SSB neck we have ever sold. It's that they are just not important enough to warrant mention.

Our short scale bass necks were never meant to fit anything except our short scale bodies. We do our best to make that clear everywhere we can. It's a proprietary neck that does not fit any other body, of any kind, from any other manufacturer.

Given that, the exact radii of the corners and butt of the heel are inconsequential to 99.999999% of users, because 99.999999% of the time a customer buys one they are also buying the body it was meant to go with. They have determined an SSB neck is what they want because they have also bought a body, and that's what they intend to build.

It's not really any different than our Strat, Tele, J, or P replacement necks. Or our 7/8 parts. Or our Bass6 parts. Or our Gecko parts. We don't publish the heel corner and butt radius dimensions for those necks either, because people buy them knowing what they were meant to fit, and that is sufficient 99.999999% of the time (or more).

Given all that, the dimensions you're seeking aren't common knowledge. The chances anyone even knows them off the top of their head are very small. I certainly don't.

Maybe it would help if we knew what you were trying to do, exactly. Are you building a custom body of some kind?

 

[Spud]

It's not like the secret formula for KFC chicken or Coca Cola. LOL. The dimensions aren't a very well-kept secret at all when they can be gleaned by measuring any SSB neck we have ever sold. It's that they are just not important enough to warrant mention.

Our short scale bass necks were never meant to fit anything except our short scale bodies. We do our best to make that clear everywhere we can. It's a proprietary neck that does not fit any other body, of any kind, from any other manufacturer.

Given that, the exact radii of the corners and butt of the heel are inconsequential to 99.999999% of users, because 99.999999% of the time a customer buys one they are also buying the body it was meant to go with. They have determined an SSB neck is what they want because they have also bought a body, and that's what they intend to build.

It's not really any different than our Strat, Tele, J, or P replacement necks. Or our 7/8 parts. Or our Bass6 parts. Or our Gecko parts. We don't publish the heel corner and butt radius dimensions for those necks either, because people buy them knowing what they were meant to fit, and that is sufficient 99.999999% of the time (or more).

Given all that, the dimensions you're seeking aren't common knowledge. The chances anyone even knows them off the top of their head are very small. I certainly don't.

Maybe it would help if we knew what you were trying to do, exactly. Are you building a custom body of some kind?

ya!

 

[LVogt]

knowing that they use fender dimensions in other areas, the smaller radii are likely 1/4" and the larger one is likely 5" but thats taking a big ol' assumption bassed (see what I did there?) on other Fender dimensions.

I appreciate the response but I've gotten a lot of guesses and assumptions. Even Fender has not been helpful. They claim multiple variation just for their Jazz Bass... none of which they will share. It is bizarre to try to sell parts and withhold critical dimensions.

 

[supertruper1988]

I appreciate the response but I've gotten a lot of guesses and assumptions. Even Fender has not been helpful. They claim multiple variation just for their Jazz Bass... none of which they will share. It is bizarre to try to sell parts and withhold critical dimensions.

Having done much research on this exact topic, the reason that Fender doesnt give it out is because its not a constant. Parts made pre CBS, during CBS, 80's Corona, 90's Corona, 90's Mexico, parts in the last 10 years, etc are all different. Then throw in Fender Japan and other Fender branded instruments made in Asian countries and you have a whole heap of variances.

Then you sand it down for finish and suddenly is not exactly what the design calls for anyways but its within some close tolerance specification.

All this adding up to result of you will have to measure what you buy and go from there. If you are planning some kind of production run based on this neck, then being hung up on this small of a detail is really not how to get that kind of project off the ground.

As for your last comment about selling parts without giving dimensions, frankly, Fender doesnt care. At all. Zero. Fender sells parts that are compatible with Fender MIA and MIM products, beyond that there is no guarantee of any kind of compatibility. Even the compatibility from Fender is nuanced. Warmoth is in the same boat so as long as the part fits the application with in a reasonable tolerance, there is no reason to publish or provide anything more.

 

[supertruper1988]

Oh and another thing, fender uses pickguards which were kind of a way to hide a lot of gaps so even if you go back and do some digging, historically, the fit between body and neck is not as tight as you might idealize and in many cases its hidden by an overhang or pickguard so if its not perfect, it doesnt matter.

And if you are hung up on this because "tone" then you this rabbit hole is the wrong one to pick for that.

 

[LVogt]

It's not like the secret formula for KFC chicken or Coca Cola. LOL. The dimensions aren't a very well-kept secret at all when they can be gleaned by measuring any SSB neck we have ever sold. It's that they are just not important enough to warrant mention.

Our short scale bass necks were never meant to fit anything except our short scale bodies. We do our best to make that clear everywhere we can. It's a proprietary neck that does not fit any other body, of any kind, from any other manufacturer.

Given that, the exact radii of the corners and butt of the heel are inconsequential to 99.999999% of users, because 99.999999% of the time a customer buys one they are also buying the body it was meant to go with. They have determined an SSB neck is what they want because they have also bought a body, and that's what they intend to build.

It's not really any different than our Strat, Tele, J, or P replacement necks. Or our 7/8 parts. Or our Bass6 parts. Or our Gecko parts. We don't publish the heel corner and butt radius dimensions for those necks either, because people buy them knowing what they were meant to fit, and that is sufficient 99.999999% of the time (or more).

Given all that, the dimensions you're seeking aren't common knowledge. The chances anyone even knows them off the top of their head are very small. I certainly don't.

Maybe it would help if we knew what you were trying to do, exactly. Are you building a custom body of some kind?

Great! Seriously... If they aren't a secret and it's not important then just tell me. It's important to me. It's why I'm asking here.
I am designing a unique one-off body just for me and want a 30" neck. If you don't want to help a customer that's your choice but I'd had a good experience with Warmoth in the past so I came to you first. I just want to make an accurate drawing (and I'm new to that software too) before committing to the expense of buying parts. I can't afford to make mistakes by guessing.
I wouldn't expect it to be off the top of anyone's head. I would expect it to be in the drawings with the rest of the critical dimensions... or for someone to look it up.
I see comments on other sites where people are trying to figure out these dimensions for various necks and it's unnecessarily frustrating for many because there are many different diameters. "It's not a secret but I won't tell you" doesn't sound very helpful.
I've seen a number of other parts that say "compatible with...X" and when you look at the specs they are significantly different and "maybe this or maybe that" doesn't work when one is drawing up plans. I learned to be specific from my father who was a draftsman.
I appreciate your time.
Regards
Les

 

[LVogt]

Having done much research on this exact topic, the reason that Fender doesnt give it out is because its not a constant. Parts made pre CBS, during CBS, 80's Corona, 90's Corona, 90's Mexico, parts in the last 10 years, etc are all different. Then throw in Fender Japan and other Fender branded instruments made in Asian countries and you have a whole heap of variances.

Then you sand it down for finish and suddenly is not exactly what the design calls for anyways but its within some close tolerance specification.

All this adding up to result of you will have to measure what you buy and go from there. If you are planning some kind of production run based on this neck, then being hung up on this small of a detail is really not how to get that kind of project off the ground.

As for your last comment about selling parts without giving dimensions, frankly, Fender doesnt care. At all. Zero. Fender sells parts that are compatible with Fender MIA and MIM products, beyond that there is no guarantee of any kind of compatibility. Even the compatibility from Fender is nuanced. Warmoth is in the same boat so as long as the part fits the application with in a reasonable tolerance, there is no reason to publish or provide anything more.

No production run. I just want one dimension from one Warmoth bass neck so I can make accurate drawings for my one-of-a kind build. The idea that I have to buy a part to get the dimensions when every single other aspect is spelled out in detail seems inefficient in the extreme. Plus I'm not to that stage yet. Going to Fender was just an attempt to get some clarity but that failed as well. With so many variables one would expect parts sellers to be specific so buyers can make their choices easier. They seem to want to make it more difficult and customer service is an important factor.

 

[supertruper1988]

No production run. I just want one dimension from one Warmoth bass neck so I can make accurate drawings for my one-of-a kind build. The idea that I have to buy a part to get the dimensions when every single other aspect is spelled out in detail seems inefficient in the extreme. Plus I'm not to that stage yet. Going to Fender was just an attempt to get some clarity but that failed as well. With so many variables one would expect parts sellers to be specific so buyers can make their choices easier. They seem to want to make it more difficult and customer service is an important factor.

I can kind of see your point but your application is likely not one that Warmoth wants to get into supporting.

Sure you can make a custom body for a neck you bought but having done exactly that, its better to measure what you get and make the drawing/parts from that than getting whatever the computer says the measurements should be. This will mean that you get the best fit for the exact neck you have not a tolerable fit for any of the Warmoth necks you may choose to buy.

If fitment is truly crucial, you might also see if they will sell you a Short Scale Bass body blank that simply has the neck pocket and bridge drills so you can cut whatever shape your heart desires.

 

[aarontunes]

Great! Seriously... If they aren't a secret and it's not important then just tell me.

I would love to, but I don't know the answer.

If you don't want to help a customer that's your choice

I'm trying to help you. That's why I posted in this thread. I'll have to go back to our CNC programmer. He won't know it either, so he'll have to look it up, and that takes time. He does lots of other things and isn't always able to look something like this up immediately.

"It's not a secret but I won't tell you" doesn't sound very helpful.

That's not what I said. What you're asking for is way out in the weeds and you have to give me a reasonable chance to help you. I'm not sure why you're being so prickly about it.

I've sent an email to our head of production and I'll let you know as soon as I hear back.

 

[aarontunes]

I can kind of see your point but your application is likely not one that Warmoth wants to get into supporting.

Yep. The SSB parts were intended to be a "walled garden", used only with other SSB parts. If someone wants to go off-roading that's 100% fine, but it's outside scope.

If fitment is truly crucial, you might also see if they will sell you a Short Scale Bass body blank that simply has the neck pocket and bridge drills so you can cut whatever shape your heart desires.

If it were me, that's what I would do. Then the critical stuff - neck pocket and bridge placement - are taken care of.

 

[LVogt]

I can kind of see your point but your application is likely not one that Warmoth wants to get into supporting.

Sure you can make a custom body for a neck you bought but having done exactly that, its better to measure what you get and make the drawing/parts from that than getting whatever the computer says the measurements should be. This will mean that you get the best fit for the exact neck you have not a tolerable fit for any of the Warmoth necks you may choose to buy.

If fitment is truly crucial, you might also see if they will sell you a Short Scale Bass body blank that simply has the neck pocket and bridge drills so you can cut whatever shape your heart desires.

Clearly, they don't have to cater to me if they don't want to. I'm not critical to their success... but they advertise themselves as Custom Guitar and Bass Parts. So I find it odd when I ask about one of their parts they say "We won't tell you."
I'm not nearly at the stage of investing in the parts as I'm in the design drawing phase and things can change but designing for their part makes it far more likely I'll buy that part. There are other options.

 

[stratamania]

Why not just make some assumptions for your design.

An SSB neck pocket has a published 2.375" 60mm wide neck pocket, and fits standard hardware. In this case, a neck plate to fit a standard four hole pattern.

From that, extrapolate your dimensions. It should get you close enough to decide to buy a neck or explore other options.

 

[LVogt]

Thanks but there is no reason for me to guess when the answer is easy enough to provide.
I can't extrapolate the curve from the width.

I would love to, but I don't know the answer.



I'm trying to help you. That's why I posted in this thread. I'll have to go back to our CNC programmer. He won't know it either, so he'll have to look it up, and that takes time. He does lots of other things and isn't always able to look something like this up immediately.



That's not what I said. What you're asking for is way out in the weeds and you have to give me a reasonable chance to help you. I'm not sure why you're being so prickly about it.

I've sent an email to our head of production and I'll let you know as soon as I hear back.

Sorry. I really don't mean to be prickly. I'm just trying to be specific... and it's hardly in the weeds. It's a simple diameter on a specific item. It's literally the only dimension you don't make readily available. I don't expect you personally to know but I'm hoping someone does and can tell me.
I very much appreciate you asking production. Thank you.

 

[supertruper1988]

Thanks but there is no reason for me to guess when the answer is easy enough to provide.
I can't extrapolate the curve from the width.

You can actually. Its a basic function of most cad packages.

Insert image > scale a known dimension > trace

That will get you 95%+ of the way there.

 

[LVogt]

You can actually. Its a basic function of most cad packages.

Insert image > scale a known dimension > trace

That will get you 95%+ of the way there.

I tried matching the curve in Illustrator and it always looks like 10-12 inches which I know is way off. The images are never shot exactly straight on so it distorts the curve. But thanks for the tip.

 

[stratamania]

I tried matching the curve in Illustrator

That is a 2D drawing program, not a proper CAD tool.

 

[LVogt]

That is a 2D drawing program, not a proper CAD tool.

I understand

 

[BroccoliRob]

bro are u trying to cut a neck pocket before u have the neck? just wait til its in your hand, cutting that in advance is what is known as a Fool's Errand (look it up) cuz there's no way to guarantee the proper fit in a vacuum (meaning in isolation, not a vacuum that sucks things into a dirty bag).

i agree w/ AAron that this dimensional request is indeed "way out in the weeds" cause I ain't never seen a single person here #ask for that before lmao