Super Bass Neck Questions

[bvdrummer]

Hey everybody, I'm back for my second build (built a baritone 7 string a few years back and it came out great). Now I want to do a P bass body with P/J pickups and a jazz neck (4 string).

If I get the 21 fret extension, does that get in the way of the truss rod nut? I'm assuming the 24 fret version definitely would. And I guess I'll need to find a pickguard with the truss rod slot too...

Also does the 21st fret sound any different since it's "floating" and not touching the neck?

 

[amigarobbo]

You can get to the 21 fret version on a Warmoth body, on a 24 you do have to take the neck off to adjust the neck relief, which get old kinda quick 

Does it sound different? Blimey my ear's ain't oscilloscopes, how often do you play the 21s fret away? Does it sound 2.2% less in the 45Hz region than the 20 fret?  Who friggin' cares!



-or-

I can't tell any difference with an overhang, YMMD etc etc.

 

[line6man]

You will be adjusting your truss rod so infrequently that it's not even worth worrying about.

Worrying about tonal differences between overhung frets and non-overhung frets is just plain silly. The short answer is that no one's "golden ears" will ever hear a legitimate difference, but the power of suggestion will make you hear whatever you want to hear.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

On a bass, the Fender style bodies (P, J, et al) have the truss trench where access is a non issue.  Adjustment is a must on setup and less so the longer you own it.  On a J, the pickguard is a non issue, not so with the P, as the controls mount to it.  As for overhang on a 21st fret, half of it is on there.  I can't speak for everyone, but the length and duration I've spent on the 21st fret of a bass, the time it's taken to reply to this post is longer.  You will never wear out the 21st fret of a bass, let alone worry about sustain while up there.

 

[ghotiphry]

As the owner of two Warmoth jazz basses, working on my third, it's just a slight issue.  One of the basses has a rear rout, no pickguard means it's readily accessible.  The one with the front rout is a bit different.  My pg has no notch, so I need to remove the pg to get at the truss rod screw.  That one also has a 21 fret neck.  Now, it can be done, unless you go with something inflexible for pg material, like anodized aluminum.  To get the pg out, while it's still strung, means flexing that pg over the neck pickup and sliding it out from under the neck overhang.

If you go with something inflexible you'd have to take out the neck pickup to allow the pg to slide away from the overhang.  I have a pre-amp system with quick connections, but otherwise you'd have to break and resolder the connections, unless your wires are long enough to let you do some maneuvering.  Barring those contingent issues, which I don't have to deal with, and given the infrequency I've had to adjust, it doesn't hinder me at all.

Can't say I actually use that 21st fret.  My hands don't seem to work that way.  It was a showcase neck, which all seem to be the 21 fret versions.  I would have been just as happy with the 20 fret version.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

I've swapped out pickguards on my Warmoth Js, including an anodized aluminium one.  I've never had to remove the neck, strings, or pickup to do so.  YMMV.

 

[ghotiphry]

I tried an anodized aluminum pickguard on my bass at first, but then I did need to adjust the truss rod.  It's one of the reasons I went back to a standard material, that and it just looked better in gloss black.  I actually ended up de-stringing and unscrewing the neck to get it off, rather than mess with removing the pickup.  Agreed, YMMV.