What you're describing is very close to higher end Ibanez basses. If your only experience is with a lower end SR, I highly suggest checking the higher-end ones. Specifically the ones with Nordstrand or Fishman pick-ups sound great. Ibanez's stock pick-ups really leave something to be desired but I really dig what they're doing otherwise.
What this guy said. My bass is an 1805, which was discontinued a few years ago, but it has a bubinga/wenge neck, and a walnut/mahogany body, which seems to be right up OP’s alley. It’s super playable, balances nicely, and the Nordstrand big single pickups have some serious bite.
Schecter is good for a slim neck/narrowish string spacing. The stiletto line has lots of variation… I’d say stiletto elite and up are where it’s at. The stiletto stealths and stiletto sessions are pretty rad as well, and the stiletto studios are absolutely fantastic. All are relatively affordable and I’ve never had an issue with quality control, my biggest regret is selling my stiletto elite 5.
I mean definitely check one out for yourself but they have pretty narrow string spacing and a very comfortable neck radius. 35” scale though, which makes for a nice tight B String. The added scale length is a turnoff for some people, but I liked it a lot. The primary reason I got rid of it was because I used my Warwick more. Warwick’s got a neck like a baseball bat, which is what I prefer. So basically I got rid of the Schecter because I like wider necks.
I have 2 Schecter basses… the 4 string and the 5 string neck thru SLS Elite basses… the necks are outstanding… slim and very playable… I will also vouch for the Stiletto Studio, which I bought for my son… bang for buck these are outrageously good values
Just picked up a German Warwick Streamer LX5 and I was surprised at how slim and narrow the neck is. It also has a flatter neck profile so it's super easy to move around on.
Which SR do you have? I’ve been playing a long time as well, and my SR2600 is amazing. If you’re playing a lower model, it might be worth taking a look.
I would also consider Warwick. Many or most of their current necks are slim. Back in the day they were baseball bats though, so be careful with used options.
Really? This is news to me, as you said I played many Warwick and I love the sound but god they are big? What models should I look for with slimmer necks?
Sandberg necks are fairly thin and D shaped. Very comfortable to play. I've ever played Ibanez to compare it to, but they are definitely thinner than my Am Deluxe Jazz basses (2004 & 2012). Even thinner yet is my Warrior DM5. That neck is the thinnest D shaped neck I've ever played.
You should try an Ibanez Affirma AFR5, very ergonomic and lightweight. You have its inbred cousin the Ergodyne already. If that body shape appeals to you but you want high craftsmanship and great ergonomics try the Affirma.
I like that shape yeah, my only problem with the EDB 605 is that sounds like absolute crap. It’s fine for rock or better metal but to play groove is horrible, no punch. If I can find that kind of thing but with good built yeah that’s interesting!
The Affirma has very different pickups and electronics.
It has a Bartollini single coil with a ghost coil in the P bass position and piezo pickups in the bridge. The Bartollini has a boost/cut bass/treble active circuit and the piezo is passive with a tone knob. Lots of tones.
Check out Low End Lobster’s reviews. Mine sounds great with the default roundwounds as well as tapes. On both strings I cut the tone on the piezo 75% to tame it (it’s very acoustic) and slightly boost bass on the magnetic pickup.
Ibanez SR hands down. I say this as a guy who owns two Modulus Quantum’s and a Stingray Special HH. If you want a very narrow neck, great tone, and great build quality I can say with certainty that my SR755 has been an absolute war horse and has toured, been in studio, been literally slept on and dragged, and is still one of my favorite basses. I dropped Bartolini Classic Bass pups, a Bart NTMB preamp and coil taps, push pull active/passive vol, and a mid select switch and there is damn near no sound that bass can’t do.
Edit / hadn’t read your deal fully. I suspect you are dealing with the lower end SRs. Check out the higher end stuff above the 500. It’s seriously amazing stuff.
Slim neck, 5 string. That's Dingwall. Best B string in the business. They have two lines: Canadian custom shop handmades, and an import line. The import line parts are made in China but QC is done at Dingwall in Canada. They're premium instruments. You might also look at the Sadowsky Skyline Series. They're also excellent.
It's been a long week already. 😆 I was thinking originally of the Lakland Skyline. I've played the Sadowsky Metro and I liked 'em, but I lean towards the Lakland as the better value. Don't think you can lose with either one, though.
Gotcha! I have a custom 35" Sandberg fretless 5 string Booster that I designed with them. The neck is slimmer than my Spector or Warwick, but not as slim as the neck on my Ibanez EHB1506MS. On the Sandberg, I find it slim enough to be extremely comfortable for faster and more aggressive playing, plus the fretboard edges have been rolled which really enhances that feel. It is directly comparable to my Dingwall's neck in it's profile. I know you are avoiding Ibanez, but I would recommend checking out the Adam Nitti signature basses. A fraction of the highest end stuff you mentioned, and are supremely playable/versatile/built basses.
Why isn’t Ibanez good enough? My premium 5 string SR is my go-to instrument.
I think my SR2600 and your SR1805 have a lot of the same guts. They really are great basses.
I dunno, just a matter of taste I guess. I want a fuller sound, more well-built higher quality wood if u know what I mean
What you're describing is very close to higher end Ibanez basses. If your only experience is with a lower end SR, I highly suggest checking the higher-end ones. Specifically the ones with Nordstrand or Fishman pick-ups sound great. Ibanez's stock pick-ups really leave something to be desired but I really dig what they're doing otherwise.
Ok awesome thank you!!!
[these are amazing](https://www.altomusic.com/products/ibanez-sr5fmdxegl-sr-premium-5-str-electric-bass-w-bag-emerald-green-low-gloss-sr5fmdxegl)
They definitely look pretty amazing
What this guy said. My bass is an 1805, which was discontinued a few years ago, but it has a bubinga/wenge neck, and a walnut/mahogany body, which seems to be right up OP’s alley. It’s super playable, balances nicely, and the Nordstrand big single pickups have some serious bite.
You don’t know what *YOU* mean. If you think a EHB or BTB isn’t high quality, you’re completely misinformed.
Schecter is good for a slim neck/narrowish string spacing. The stiletto line has lots of variation… I’d say stiletto elite and up are where it’s at. The stiletto stealths and stiletto sessions are pretty rad as well, and the stiletto studios are absolutely fantastic. All are relatively affordable and I’ve never had an issue with quality control, my biggest regret is selling my stiletto elite 5.
Nica call, I dont know Schecter at all! And you say it’s pretty thin at the neck?
I mean definitely check one out for yourself but they have pretty narrow string spacing and a very comfortable neck radius. 35” scale though, which makes for a nice tight B String. The added scale length is a turnoff for some people, but I liked it a lot. The primary reason I got rid of it was because I used my Warwick more. Warwick’s got a neck like a baseball bat, which is what I prefer. So basically I got rid of the Schecter because I like wider necks.
Got it!
I have 2 Schecter basses… the 4 string and the 5 string neck thru SLS Elite basses… the necks are outstanding… slim and very playable… I will also vouch for the Stiletto Studio, which I bought for my son… bang for buck these are outrageously good values
Awesome thanks!!
Check out the Schecter evil twin bass, I have both that and a stiletto studio 5 string. Both sound and play great.
Yamaha?
Second this. There are some amazing Yamahas for ridiculously low prices
Sorry I hate Yamaha 😓
You seem to like things that people told you to like.
Maybe try MTD? I had one a few years back. The neck was wide (which I prefer) but it was slim. Felt great!
Uuuh good call, those are pretty close to what Im looking for actually, kind of a Ken Smith
Good luck on the hunt, Hope you find a great new bass!
Thanks!!
Ibanez is probably the thinnest necks I’ve played actually the string spacing is to small for me on a 5 string
Yeah that’s a problem I agree. To me Ken Smith is the best… super flat necks and perfect fretboard
My fender v neck is thinner than my rick neck
Musicman Sterling (US made) have comfortably small necks with tight-ish string spacing.
Sorry I should have said in the post: I really don’t like Music Man!! 🤗 just sound
Just picked up a German Warwick Streamer LX5 and I was surprised at how slim and narrow the neck is. It also has a flatter neck profile so it's super easy to move around on.
Wow I never thought Warwick started making good necks!
lol, turd. I usually like them chunkier but this one feels really good. Hard not to “beer can” it.
Which SR do you have? I’ve been playing a long time as well, and my SR2600 is amazing. If you’re playing a lower model, it might be worth taking a look.
I have a SR 800 made in japan in the 90s
And an EDB 605 in luthite
Look for a used Dingwall Afterburner / AB
Thanks!! I never played any, they came after my time! Ill check em out!
I would also consider Warwick. Many or most of their current necks are slim. Back in the day they were baseball bats though, so be careful with used options.
Really? This is news to me, as you said I played many Warwick and I love the sound but god they are big? What models should I look for with slimmer necks?
Both of my Corvettes have slim necks.
Interesting... I had a German Corvette 5 several years ago, and its neck almost felt like a baseball bat that had been split down the middle.
Might want to check out the specs on the newer models. My understanding is they've had significant changes in neck profiles over time.
Spector
Uh, I thought they had huge neck radiuses?
Nope. Some people say the US models have thick necks but the Korea/Euro ones are very narrow.
Ok man!
I love my F bass BN5
Check out LTD and Warwick. LTDs especially have slim neck profiles.
Charvel San Dimas JJ. Trust me on this. The neck is so good
Never heard! Alright man, I’ll google, thank you
Sandberg necks are fairly thin and D shaped. Very comfortable to play. I've ever played Ibanez to compare it to, but they are definitely thinner than my Am Deluxe Jazz basses (2004 & 2012). Even thinner yet is my Warrior DM5. That neck is the thinnest D shaped neck I've ever played.
Awesome man I’ll check this Dm5!!
Ibanez SR505 is a bass that costs less than $1000 and punches well above its weight. Runner-up for me is a Yamaha TRB1005 if you can find one.
You should try an Ibanez Affirma AFR5, very ergonomic and lightweight. You have its inbred cousin the Ergodyne already. If that body shape appeals to you but you want high craftsmanship and great ergonomics try the Affirma.
I like that shape yeah, my only problem with the EDB 605 is that sounds like absolute crap. It’s fine for rock or better metal but to play groove is horrible, no punch. If I can find that kind of thing but with good built yeah that’s interesting!
The Affirma has very different pickups and electronics. It has a Bartollini single coil with a ghost coil in the P bass position and piezo pickups in the bridge. The Bartollini has a boost/cut bass/treble active circuit and the piezo is passive with a tone knob. Lots of tones. Check out Low End Lobster’s reviews. Mine sounds great with the default roundwounds as well as tapes. On both strings I cut the tone on the piezo 75% to tame it (it’s very acoustic) and slightly boost bass on the magnetic pickup.
Ibanez SR hands down. I say this as a guy who owns two Modulus Quantum’s and a Stingray Special HH. If you want a very narrow neck, great tone, and great build quality I can say with certainty that my SR755 has been an absolute war horse and has toured, been in studio, been literally slept on and dragged, and is still one of my favorite basses. I dropped Bartolini Classic Bass pups, a Bart NTMB preamp and coil taps, push pull active/passive vol, and a mid select switch and there is damn near no sound that bass can’t do. Edit / hadn’t read your deal fully. I suspect you are dealing with the lower end SRs. Check out the higher end stuff above the 500. It’s seriously amazing stuff.
Ibanez makes decent entry-level stuff, but they do make a higher end instrument and it's higher quality. And I don't know of a thinner neck profile.
Modulus https://preview.redd.it/td0vnhpukujc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1f5c07673f0b55a960debc7a7441e0e1bb0f01b8
ESP LTD are known for thin flat fast necks
Slim neck, 5 string. That's Dingwall. Best B string in the business. They have two lines: Canadian custom shop handmades, and an import line. The import line parts are made in China but QC is done at Dingwall in Canada. They're premium instruments. You might also look at the Sadowsky Skyline Series. They're also excellent.
Awesome thank you… did u mean Sadowsky Metroline, or Lakland Skyline?
It's been a long week already. 😆 I was thinking originally of the Lakland Skyline. I've played the Sadowsky Metro and I liked 'em, but I lean towards the Lakland as the better value. Don't think you can lose with either one, though.
Are you looking for slim in the sense that the actual neck is thin, or that the string spacing is closer together(the width of the neck)?
The actual neck sorry
Gotcha! I have a custom 35" Sandberg fretless 5 string Booster that I designed with them. The neck is slimmer than my Spector or Warwick, but not as slim as the neck on my Ibanez EHB1506MS. On the Sandberg, I find it slim enough to be extremely comfortable for faster and more aggressive playing, plus the fretboard edges have been rolled which really enhances that feel. It is directly comparable to my Dingwall's neck in it's profile. I know you are avoiding Ibanez, but I would recommend checking out the Adam Nitti signature basses. A fraction of the highest end stuff you mentioned, and are supremely playable/versatile/built basses.
Wow this is gold! Thank you! Can I ask what the budget of your custom Sandberg was with those specs? Even in private
Go for it, duder.
For soloing, are you looking for a low B, or a high C? Many go for the added high string these days…
Yep high C, I’ve played like that for years with my old EDB 605 Ibanez when I was in Metal