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Post subject: Fender Closet Classic P-Bass Pro
Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 5:57 pm
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Hi,
I was watching a YouTube video online (made by Fender) outlining the specs of a Fender Closet Classic P-Bass Pro ... I have a question about the neck. The guy says it's a jazz neck. When I went to Fender's website all it says is that the neck is a 1960 "U" Back Shape . Can anyone provide some info on this particular neck. For example, is it anything like my American Jazz neck? Thanks.


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Post subject: Re: Fender Closet Classic P-Bass Pro
Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 10:33 pm
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Think of a "U" shaped neck as a capital letter U. Think of a "C" shaped neck, like your current production Jazz model has, as being a sideways lower case letter c of the same width as the upper case U.

The "U" shaped neck is the same width at the nut with the same gradually widening taper to the last fret as a "C" shaped neck, but it is noticeably thicker and meatier than a modern production "C" shaped neck.

A "U" shaped "C" width neck is the infamous "Baseball Bat" P-Bass neck of the 1950's.

You can have a "C" width neck with a "U" shape or an "A" width neck with a "C" shape. The "C" causes the confusion. But WAIT! The "C" stuff gets even better!

There actually are two "C" shapes! To avoid confusion with the "C" neck width letter designation the two "C" shapes are actually technically defined as "Oval" and "Modern Oval" yet about everyone (including Fender's advertising copywriters) commonly refers to them both as "C" shaped. You'll sometimes see advertising copy about "Modern C Shape" which translates technically to "Modern Oval" or "Vintage C Shape" which translates technically to "Oval." Plain "Oval" was the first Fender "C" neck shape and it is thicker while the "Modern Oval" is flatter and thus thinner.

Fender instrument neck width is designated by letters (A, B, C & D) while neck shapes throughout history are "U" "Hard V", "Soft V", "Oval" and "Modern Oval." Confused? It's easy to see why.

I know that sounds clear as mud, but that's about the best I can do. When you add the changing radius thing it almost makes your head implode. And then they come out with "Compound Radius" necks which makes my eyes cross.


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Post subject: Re: Fender Closet Classic P-Bass Pro
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 7:17 am
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I watched that video at one point, too, and I really dig that bass. Moving the jack and adding the Jazz pup and neck were good mods in my opinion.

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Post subject: Re: Fender Closet Classic P-Bass Pro
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 7:47 am
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brotherdave wrote:
Think of a "U" shaped neck as a capital letter U. Think of a "C" shaped neck, like your current production Jazz model has, as being a sideways lower case letter c of the same width as the upper case U.

The "U" shaped neck is the same width at the nut with the same gradually widening taper to the last fret as a "C" shaped neck, but it is noticeably thicker and meatier than a modern production "C" shaped neck.

A "U" shaped "C" width neck is the infamous "Baseball Bat" P-Bass neck of the 1950's.

You can have a "C" width neck with a "U" shape or an "A" width neck with a "C" shape. The "C" causes the confusion. But WAIT! The "C" stuff gets even better!

There actually are two "C" shapes! To avoid confusion with the "C" neck width letter designation the two "C" shapes are actually technically defined as "Oval" and "Modern Oval" yet about everyone (including Fender's advertising copywriters) commonly refers to them both as "C" shaped. You'll sometimes see advertising copy about "Modern C Shape" which translates technically to "Modern Oval" or "Vintage C Shape" which translates technically to "Oval." Plain "Oval" was the first Fender "C" neck shape and it is thicker while the "Modern Oval" is flatter and thus thinner.

Fender instrument neck width is designated by letters (A, B, C & D) while neck shapes throughout history are "U" "Hard V", "Soft V", "Oval" and "Modern Oval." Confused? It's easy to see why.

I know that sounds clear as mud, but that's about the best I can do. When you add the changing radius thing it almost makes your head implode. And then they come out with "Compound Radius" necks which makes my eyes cross.



So, who's on first?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=airT-m9LcoY


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Post subject: Re: Fender Closet Classic P-Bass Pro
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 7:52 am
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The early 50's P's are a B width U, correct brotherdave? Switching later to the C width U? And then finally to a C width C shape until the 70's when the B width was brought back but with the C shape instead? I'd consider you an authority on things like this. Is there anyway we can convince you to give us a concise breakdown of the evolution of the P neck down through the years? :D

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Post subject: Re: Fender Closet Classic P-Bass Pro
Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 12:45 am
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Was the real 51 not D?

The problem with doing some sort of list is that is that you have to measure a lot of instruments and write it all down and compile it and verify it. And do it for fun, because nobody is going to pay you to do it.

Makes my head hurt just thinking about it. And as surely as I post something like that I'll muck it up. Pretty sure George Gruhn has it all written down already. He should write the book on it.

Anyway the general neck-back profile progression was U shape to Soft V to Hard V to Vintage C to Modern C. They all play well if you get used to them. The V shapes didn't last long and were better for guitar than bass because if you lapped your thumb over the edge of the neck over the low E string as many players like to do then the V made it easier for you. If you center your thumb on the back of the neck, or slightly off center (as you should playing electric bass) then the V was probably not your favorite.

Add in that there was that slimmer "A" neck hardly anyone talks about (even Fender) that was 1 and 7/16th instead of 1.5 inches. 1.5" is generally considered the "A" width, but actually a lot of the time in the 70's they were not quite 1.5". Now they are 1.5" yet we call them both "A" width necks when in fact they can't both be the same.

I also left out that the neck-backs Fender calls "U" necks are also sometimes called "D" profile necks on the vintage market. Not to be confused with "D" width necks.

Where's the Tylenol?


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