Alembic with J-Bass neck width?

[studiorecluse]

I usually play a Fender Jazz Bass, and LOVE the 1.5 neck- so much so that a P-Bass or Alembic feels funny in my hands.  I know that with Alembic you have it your way, so the obvious solution is to order a custom, but I am curious if I am missing something.  Have any of you had one built with the more narrow neck, or even seen or played one?  How was it, how did it sound?  Any different?  I also know that the Series are wider yet.  Thoughts?  Comments?  Blank stares?

[keith_h]

Cary,
Alembic can duplicate the dimensions of your favorite neck, within reason, but it is an additional cost. Several people here have sent their necks for duplication on custom instruments.  
 
I have played a JB for 30 years. I agree with your not liking the P-bass neck. I was never able to get used to it's feel.  
 
I got my first Alembic about a 1 1/2 years ago. It is an Orion 5 string which has what I believe they call a Comfort? neck. One of the things that surprised me when I received it was how close in feel to the JB the E - G strings were. I also have a 4 string fretless which has the same comfort neck. It is only 1.625 at the nut and very comfortable. I find I have no problems switching between the different basses. I also have a short scale with the classic neck. While it is a 1/4 wider than my JB I don't have any problem with it.
Whether it is due to the short scale or not I don't know.  
 
On the neck-throughs you can request either neck style. I believe the set necks are limited to the Comfort taper.
 
Keith

[mica]

On a neck through, you need to provide either:
 
1. nut width and bridge spacing (specify center to center or edge to edge)
 
2. nut width and last fret width (specify fret number)
 
And unless the width of the fingerboard exceeds 3.50 inches, there is usually not an additional charge.
 
For a set neck instrument, there is an additional charge for a custom neck width, because the shape of the picket the neck is glue in reflects the size of the fingerboard, and that also has to be custom programmed.

[rogertvr]

I had the neck profile on my Rickenbacker 4001 duplicated to my Dragon's Wing.  rockandroller (who's I've not seen around these parts for some time now) created the neck drawings (from dimensions that I took) for Alembic to work with. The finished DW neck is identical in profile and size to my 4001.
 
Having played Alembics in shops that had the standard neck profiles, I'd definitely go for the custom profile again as I much prefer it.
 
As for changes in sound due to the different profile - I can't compare it with another Alembic because I've never played one with three purpleheart laminates in the neck.
 
Cheers,
 
Rog

[lidon2001]

Hi Cary,
 
I'm with you, 1.5 or less.  I went for Dragon's Breath neck dimensions on my BalK, which is said to be even less than 1.5.  Hardy's custom Essence is 1.45.  Most of Valentino's custom's are 1.5.
 
Also, there's a BalK bodied Essence at basscentral.com with 1.5 nut if you don't want to wait.
 
T