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Post subject: Duff signature bass neck size?
Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 10:19 am
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I need something clarified:

I always thought the Duff signature basses were supposed to be a P body with a Jazz neck....but I played one this weekend and the neck was definitely thicker and wider than my MIA Jazz. It's definitely not 1.5" as indicated in the Fender specs. Anyone have any insight on this?

Thanks.


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Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 2:13 pm
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Jazz neck...

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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 12:48 pm
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tommygunn wrote:
Jazz neck...


Definitely not a jazz neck even though that is what Fender states. I have a Jazz right here with me next to a Duff I bought - Duff neck is P Bass for sure. I've read reviews on Musician's Friend that say the same.


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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 7:42 pm
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Describe the physical appearance of the neck please. What did the logo on the headstock say? Did it have a signature logo?

The current Duff artist series neck is a Mexican copy of a Japanese mid 80's Jazz neck profile painted all black except for the fretboard. That would be different from a contemporary USA or MIM Jazz neck profile. There was no USA production at the time he bought the original Japanese one.

The decal on the current model says JAZZ BASS SPECIAL with "Made in Mexico" directly under that. Again, the original bass this was modeled after was actually made in Japan, There is no signature as such on it even though it is in the artist series but it does have all black hardware with a Jolly Roger on the neck plate.


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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:26 pm
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I have an '87 Power Jazz Bass Special, same body and neck, no TBX circuit, Fender active electronics, neck was not painted. It's MIJ. The neck is wider than my '99 J Bass and '07 Vintage Mod, but not wider than a P Bass. Cool thing on my headstock is the faux carbon fiber instead of paint. I paid almost $700 w/hardshell back in '89 brand new.

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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:39 pm
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brotherdave wrote:
Describe the physical appearance of the neck please. What did the logo on the headstock say? Did it have a signature logo?

The current Duff artist series neck is a Mexican copy of a Japanese mid 80's Jazz neck profile painted all black except for the fretboard. That would be different from a contemporary USA or MIM Jazz neck profile. There was no USA production at the time he bought the original Japanese one.

The decal on the current model says JAZZ BASS SPECIAL with "Made in Mexico" directly under that. Again, the original bass this was modeled after was actually made in Japan, There is no signature as such on it even though it is in the artist series but it does have all black hardware with a Jolly Roger on the neck plate.


Yep - that is what I've got...black headstock, made in mexico, no sig, skull and cross neck plate, silver Fender logo. It's a legit Duff. So you're saying a mid 80s Japanese neck profile is/was thicker than a contemporary USA Jazz profile? Interesting. The nut is still not 1.5" even though that is what the official Fender specs claim. My USA Jazz is 1.5" though.


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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 9:04 pm
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coldengray wrote:
brotherdave wrote:
Describe the physical appearance of the neck please. What did the logo on the headstock say? Did it have a signature logo?

The current Duff artist series neck is a Mexican copy of a Japanese mid 80's Jazz neck profile painted all black except for the fretboard. That would be different from a contemporary USA or MIM Jazz neck profile. There was no USA production at the time he bought the original Japanese one.

The decal on the current model says JAZZ BASS SPECIAL with "Made in Mexico" directly under that. Again, the original bass this was modeled after was actually made in Japan, There is no signature as such on it even though it is in the artist series but it does have all black hardware with a Jolly Roger on the neck plate.


Yep - that is what I've got...black headstock, made in mexico, no sig, skull and cross neck plate, silver Fender logo. It's a legit Duff. So you're saying a mid 80s Japanese neck profile is/was thicker than a contemporary USA Jazz profile? Interesting. The nut is still not 1.5" even though that is what the official Fender specs claim. My USA Jazz is 1.5" though.


Yes. The neck profile on the Japanese Jazz Bass Special was different from a recent MIM, USA or even CIJ Jazz.

And POWERJAZZBASS is right about the simulated carbon layering on the front of the headstock on the original. It looked really cool and unique.


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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 9:38 pm
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Thanks man - you know more than the Fender folks did today, though the customer support rep I spoke with was going to talk to the product manager and get back to me. I may buy a P Bass Special and use THAT neck on my Duff...if it is indeed 1.5" at the nut like Fender says (after all, they say that for the Duff). Regardless, I like the Duff for it's tone...and it's good to practice on a neck that is tougher for my small hands.


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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 9:48 pm
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I just read the specs. It does say 1.50 inch neck width at the nut. How wide is your neck at the nut?


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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 9:52 pm
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brotherdave wrote:
I just read the specs. It does say 1.50 inch neck width at the nut. How wide is your neck at the nut?


1 5/8". It's also a bit thicker than my Jazz.


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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 10:40 pm
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coldengray wrote:
brotherdave wrote:
I just read the specs. It does say 1.50 inch neck width at the nut. How wide is your neck at the nut?


1 5/8". It's also a bit thicker than my Jazz.


Thicker yes it probably should be. However if the specs say 1.5 it should be 1.5 unless they changed the specs since introduction of the model and you have one of the earlier issues. That is conceivable. Does the serial start MZ7, MZ8 or MZ9?


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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 10:42 pm
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brotherdave wrote:
coldengray wrote:
brotherdave wrote:
I just read the specs. It does say 1.50 inch neck width at the nut. How wide is your neck at the nut?


1 5/8". It's also a bit thicker than my Jazz.


Thicker yes it probably should be. However if the specs say 1.5 it should be 1.5 unless they changed the specs since introduction of the model and you have one of the earlier issues. That is conceivable. Does the serial start MZ7, MZ8 or MZ9?


MZ7, which I'm going to assume means early model. I should check one out at my local Guitar Center next time I'm there...


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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 10:57 pm
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MZ7 would be the introductory year. It is possible the specs changed since 2007 but that would be a little surprising to me. However they change specs sometimes from one model year to the next.

Since this is a Jazz neck you might try an inquiry on this subject on the Jazz forum.


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