Author Topic: Stanley Clarke Signature Deluxe bass neck dimension (Read 139 times)

milleri · « **on:** August 28, 2009, 03:48:08 PM »

Hi Alembic Lovers,

I am looking for an Alembic Stanley Clarke Signature Deluxe bass. I have noticed there are a lot of happy Alembic owners here ;-) Ooh, when do i get one!

Anyway, i have a question.

What is the the neck dimension you prefer?
1. 1.75 @ the nut and 2.25 @ the 24th
2. 1.50 @ the nut and 2.15 @ the 24th

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** August 28, 2009, 03:54:09 PM »

Hi Ari; I've never played a short scale, so I can't address your question. I just wanted to say hi and welcome to the board!

pauldo · « **Reply #2 on:** August 28, 2009, 04:04:45 PM »

Ari - the sooner you get one the happier you will be! Not saying that materialistic means are the only way to be happy - just that an Alembic can be used as a means of expressing your inner joy that is music.

I had the honor of playing a Stanley Signature bass in Chicago this year, I have no idea what the dimenstions were on the neck - I do know that it was a dream to play, the short scale was fast, fun and easy - but the electronics really made it heavenly.

My Distillate is 1.75 at the nut and just a sconch under 2.25 at the 24th fret. It also is a dream to play, but I have been playing it for twenty plus years so it feels like a well broken in pair of boots, or a favorite pair of pants, or , , ,

milleri · « **Reply #3 on:** August 28, 2009, 04:47:19 PM »

Thanks Dave and Paul,
I already feel at home here!

bsee · « **Reply #4 on:** August 28, 2009, 04:53:54 PM »

Ari-

I have two SC basses. Both are narrower than standard, but they are different. One is 1.5 at the nut and about 15mm at the bridge. That one is great for finger or pick playing. As tight as it is, it is super fast to move string to string, almost like a guitar. The other is about 1.6 at the nut and 16.5mm at the bridge. That's a much more useful instrument overall as it is suitable for any playing style while still being super quick to get around.

For me, the standard spacing is just a bit too wide at either end. I could probably adapt to it, and would gladly do so if I were buying used. On a custom, though, you have to get what fits you best.

milleri · « **Reply #5 on:** August 28, 2009, 05:07:17 PM »

Thanks Bob,
I highly appreciate your comments!

keith_h · « **Reply #6 on:** August 29, 2009, 07:22:58 AM »

Now Dave you have played a short scale. You played my Brown Bass on my first visit. :-)

I have the standard 1.75 to 2.25 neck on my Brown Bass and find it quite comfortable. There is plenty of room to slap, pop or use finger style. I also use some chords and have no issues. My Series 1 short scale that is in progress will have the same dimensions.

I guess a place to start would be what are you playing now and what are it's neck dimensions?
What would you do to that neck to make it ideal or is it already ideal? Answering these should give you an idea of which neck size would work out better for you.

Keith

David Houck · « **Reply #7 on:** August 29, 2009, 12:55:36 PM »

Hee hee! Keith is right; I should have said that I haven't owned, and played regularly, a short scale.

bigredbass · « **Reply #8 on:** September 10, 2009, 11:09:21 PM »

I always laugh as bass fingerboard widths just grow to amazing widths, ostensibly to facillitate slap-style playing. SC is a large man with geat big hands, playing amazing slap on a fingerboard hardly bigger than a Hofner Beatle Bass!

bigredbass · « **Reply #9 on:** September 10, 2009, 11:11:55 PM »

. . . so I forgot the disclaimer:

WHILE Brown Bass fingerboard widths have been produced by consultation with experts, your results may vary. You may be all thumbs (!) and need more room to get that thing whoa'd down, wound up, and made phat. Your results may not be typical. YOU may not be typical! Four out of five doctors . . . .

(Message edited by bigredbass on September 10, 2009)

jazzyvee · « **Reply #10 on:** September 10, 2009, 11:28:53 PM »

My pre-Alembic bass was a musicman Sterling which had a very tight but comfortable string spacing at the nut, what I felt was a wide taper down the neck and a rather too wide string spacing at the bridge. When I got my SC, initially I felt that the nut width was too wide although the bridge string spacing was good. Now after a good few years of playing it, I find the nut and bridge spacings to be great. If I was having a new one built I would investigate a slightly tighter string spacing at both ends before deciding on what to have constructed.
In qualification,I have to say that at the time I was playing primarily guitar and bass was occasional use at home so that i guess would affect my perspective on neck comfort.

Jazzyvee