Bass Neck Steel vs Graphite Shootout - Part 3

To see Part 1, where I show all the parts used for this test, go here: • Bass Neck Steel vs Gra...
To see Part 1, where I build the test bass, go here: • Bass Neck Steel vs Gra...
To learn more about Warmoth's bass neck construction and stiffening bar options go here: warmoth.com/ba...

[@giuliocarmassi]

Wow, amazing how subjective sound is! Never ceases to amaze me. I thought all along that A was alive and responsive, vibrant, and B felt dull and lifeless. I think you're gonna sell a lot of Graphite reinforcement after this video! :)

[@jonbischof]

Really appreciate some screen time for the bass Aaron! There’s a lot of unique bass features that can’t be extrapolated from the guitar videos.

[@travisellsworth1659]

I agree Aaron, I get the same feeling but can’t really put into words. You did a good job on explaining the difference. I like the graphite, it just sounds bassier to me.

[@davidedwards7172]

Yep, makes me glad I stuck with steel in my bass neck coming in a few days. Wenge/ebony with a Bubinga head plate.

[@michaelb.42112]

Keep doing more bass videos. I LOVE my Warmoth basses. I had no idea the steel would be your choice. We always think carbon fiber is the modern choice.

[@scottkidwellmusic9175]

The steel reinforced neck had a brightness and clarity to it, for sure. Easy to hear the difference on my phone's speaker, even more so on the monitors. The other neck definitely had a bit more depth and warmth to it. Enjoyed this- I might have to build a bass or two for myself

[@nickcormier]

Warmoth makes the best comparison videos.. Well done guys!

[@michaeltoren]

I really appreciate you making this video as it clearly answers a question I have had for a while. All the bass necks I have bought have been steel reinforced but wondered if I was missing something. Based on this video I prefer the sound of steel although the weight reduction of graphite is tempting. My next Warmoth bass build is a Dusty Hill '54 Tele tribute in black Korina (black to clear burst) with reverse roasted maple neck. As always thanks for the great content!

[@NicholasDunnAutistic]

I really liked the sound of the steel. Been thinking of doing a build soon. I like the feeling/tone of wenge, so I'd definitely go that route.

[@r3ality1]

The main thing I noticed was that the B neck had much more sustain... like sustain for days. I thought it sounded more full-bodied as well.

[@sunn_bass]

Great shootout. The figured which was which early in the test. The A neck with graphite reminded me of one of my solid graphite necks I've had for years. The B neck had that characteristic growl sound my 5 Warmoth builds I have even though the woods on mine are different. I love that growl. I think I will be sticking with the steel. I think it would be interesting to have done this with a 3rd neck with just a truss rod and no reinforcing bars. Again, well done. I think I'm sticking with steel reinforcements.

[@vincebauerle5942]

I thought B sounded better. Had that BITE. I would pick that any day of the week. I agree 100% w/your assessments as well!!!

[@cw-on-yt]

Graphite all day for me. The difference is subtle, I grant, but I like that slightly-rubbery growl of the graphite over the more-biting snarl of the steel. And I also like the lighter weight, so, all the arrows point the same direction.

[@Jeffsafe]

I agree with your conclusions however I would have guessed the opposite result. I like B steel … liked that growl

[@andreacampana4754]

I have two wm pbass necks, one is steel and the other graphite. Both are outstanding necks, just different feel. I prefer the graphite for the softer attack and most of all for the weight. Pairing with Alu tuners I built a fairly light pbass... a joy to play!

[@8evolutions]

I liked the sound of the graphite a bit more than the steel. The weight relief is nice as well. I was hoping A was the graphite and I was correct! Thanks for sharing!

[@paulmullen2620]

They both sounded kind of trebly and clanky to me, but B seemed to have a little more character in the low end. They sounded like an active bass with the bass control cut all the way.

[@brandonc2859]

You do such a great job! I can't wait to build a V-R with a Gibson neck, arcade headstock!

[@stevebadachmusic]

back when this video came out I liked the graphite more, but now upon revisiting, I think I like the steel.

[@DevilsFourString]

Bass sounded great with both necks, so that's a plus. Honestly, there were things I liked about each neck more than the other, but honestly, I think the clean tones sounded best with the graphite bars. Have to say that I really loved the steel bars for the dirty P pickup sounds gave it a nice edge relative to the graphite.

[@josephandrosky6377]

I own several great basses, 64 P, 66 J, Kiesel ect. But that being said, those steel bars inside a Warmoth neck add so much sustain and clarity, the notes all over the fretboard just sing and they are even in volume, no dead spots. Also weather and humidity have very little effect on a Warmoth neck traveling and playing gigs in different climates. I can honestly say, Warmoth bass necks are 2nd to none, I would not travel 8:36 with anything else. They are solid as a rock !!!

[@johntompson174]

I like both steel and graphite reinforcement, and I own instruments with both. I remember when Warmoth published catalogs and explained why they didn't use graphite at the time. That technology has greatly improved in the last 40 years and there are merits for both graphite and steel reinforcement, and regardless these are still the best aftermarket bass necks one can buy, period. An additional shootout that would be interesting (listen on good headphones, people!) is one with roasted necks v. quarter-sawn necks with graphite vs. steel just to give the complete picture.

[@TedMabbatt]

Steel all day, and I thought it would be the opposite! All three of mine are steel so I'm relieved!!

[@yaacovweiner4726]

What a well done comparison. Thank you!

[@nate6692]

Steel all the way. Graphite solves the dead spot problem by making the whole neck dead. There's a well known bass builder near where I grew up, he made hair metal guitars in the 80's, now makes coffee table basses. Superb craftsmanship, sound fine. But every one I've ever played felt like your hands were on two different instruments. Almost no vibration felt in the left hand.

[@email3575]

Steel deadens the neck with the added mass and dampening and stiffening. Freqs cant resonate as much. Graphite is featherweight so lets the wood resonate tons more. Very lively. You feel the vibration in the hand with graphite. Not with the steel as much. Steel is a more hair metal tone. You cant compare an all graphite neck to the warmoths thin graphite bars. They stiffen without deadening or adding mass. The woody resonant tone remains as if there was no graph rods there

[@jdb123ize]

Yes, I would choose B, it had more growl

[@rmccain99]

I have a roasted ash G5 with a one-off neck that has Titanium bars in it. MTD uses them in their American line which is why I choose them.

[@DP-kj4hj]

I've used these necks on several basses over the years, all steel. One thing that seems to me is consistency and evenness of tone across the fretboard. I also have had a few Fender American Deluxe, or American "Elite" basses with graphite bars and those instruments always seem to have less focus and density in the note. I've built maybe 8 of these Warmoth basses over time and they consistently sound better (or comparable) to Fender, Sadowsky and a few other manufacturers. Everyone who hears my basses comments on the quality of the tone. Thanks for the video. I would like to suggest however, an option for bass necks to get slightly different neck profiles, slim, medium and thick. There are a lot of basses out there on the market that are in the $1000 category that have great feeling necks, seem less bulky (five strings) to me anyway. But I usually end up reshaping Warmoth necks to my liking.

[@scstinger5]

Great video, please make more! The steal sounded better to me, but after installing one of your steal reinforced necks on my old p-bass I would definitely go with the graphite neck. That thing made my bass neck swing down like a guillotine lol! I ended up selling that bass as it was so top heavy, it just wasn’t any fun to play anymore 😢

[@DasherWilcox]

I'm just gonna throw it out there, that I would love it if these bars were added as an option for the short and medium scale necks. The dinky bodies would make welcome addition to the SSB range as well.

[@PFDarkside]

Great video as always. Have you done a series on the different bass scale lengths?

[@acme.videos]

Excellent video shootout!

[@SfordRog]

Both sound good. To me, the tonal difference was slight (like a shift in mid focus). I guess neck A sounded more to my liking, but either would work for me.

[@briansong7137]

Both great necks! As echoed by others, the sustain on the B neck is noticeably longer on that infamous 7th fret D note. Overall better sustain, and also a tighter low end, not quite as boomy as the other. Almost like as if you threw on a compressor pedal on it, the notes are overall more even on the B neck + the sustain. Depends what you want, but I like that aspect. In another sense, you get a similar effect adding a 4 oz Fatfinger clip, so that's something to consider. The Hipshot Ultralites may be worthwhile if that weight is an issue.

[@myopicautisticmetal9035]

I ordered graphite for nothing more than keeping weight down. Am pondering a quarter sawn with steel rods and ebony finger board now, cursed GAS!

[@mattholveck6419]

Both sound good and 4 oz doesn't seem like much, but when you add in light weight vs regular hardware, you will start to notice the weight difference,

[@cwilliamsphoto]

There is definitely a clear as day difference even just listening with my laptop speakers! The steel sounds more what I would want, but the graphite isn't bad, just different. I have an order processing as of this comment for an all wenge jazz width neck with steel rods and I'm glad I went with it, despite the weight difference. Funny thing is that I own basses with full graphite necks as well as wood necks with graphite reinforcement. I wouldn't change a thing about any of them, but I did have a full hand built custom bass (not Warmoth) that had a major dud for a wood neck which utilized graphite rods. It was dead as a doornail and totally lifeless to play on. I don't know if the rods contributed to the problem, but it was a major disappointment for a neck that was meticulously hand carved and was stunning to look at.

[@bevinmodrak4997]

I would be interested in knowing if you glue the rods in and what type of glue. I've seen makers use epoxy or wood glue. Thanks for this comparison, I actually thought I could hear a difference too. The comment about liveliness of the neck really struck home with me.

[@tsizemor1]

It would be nice to see a tuning stability test. Seems like my graphite fender necks are more stable than steel.

[@MG-vo7is]

Both necks sound great through tiny laptop speakers. :-) I'd probably get the graphite reinforcement to keep the bass lighter. I really like the warhead headstock.

[@tamkinane]

at the drive pedal part can hear the different of G string D-Note ,Steel bar much clear ,Graphite sound muddy

[@UnequalTemperament]

I hear the 7th fret D on the G-string sustaining better on the steel-bar neck. Graphite neck has more fundamental in the low end and might be a bit more even overall (not sure -- would have to go back and listen again) but the steel neck does sound brighter -- a little more lively, less muted, and a little more clearly defined overall. Went back and forth on which I liked better, but think I'd take the steel, tone-wise. A lot would depend on the other factors in the build and how they all played together.

[@MrWilson-WithaPbass]

It is a slight difference but I like the steel better . in all clips .

[@michaelmenkes8085]

B is a little more rich in the midrange and A more aggressive in the treble but it’s marginal. The bigger issue with reinforcement is both increase stability and sustain. Therefore lighter is better

[@Knight_Boxx]

The steel rods sound way better to me. The graphite rods almost sounds thin in comparison.

[@surface-to-airmissilelaunc4656]

I'm curious to know if the "warmth" you perceive from the graphite neck is actually just a lack of the high-end you hear on the steel neck.

[@email3575]

No because trad fender necks dont use steel bars, and the graphite ones sound and feel like them, ie no metal to brighten and deaden/harden the tone as steel does. So steel is adding that. Graphite is not adding or taking anything away, so it stays warm like all wood no bars fenders. Steel is changing things drastically. Brightens and deadens resonance so not as warm bloomy or full. Heavy too for more neck dive when sitting and standing w strap. Steel sucks all around, unless you want a more heavy metal type tone, thats about it.

[@Zekla]

Steel, definately! It got that ”gank” that I like.

[@keithdarwin5786]

I could tell the difference right away. Graphite was less bright and had less sustain at the 7th fret. The steel neck had more consistent volume between notes at various places on the fretboard. Oh, and as to weight, yes they are different but it is weight spread over the whole neck so the impact to neck dive is not quite as bad as you'd expect. Using ultralight tuners can more than compensate.

[@jasonporter2584]

How about a fretless bass shootout, lined vs no lines, ebony vs maple....

[@lcbdias]

Aaron, build a strat that sound as closer as possible to a Les Paul. Full mahogany, conversion neck, hardtail bridge. I've always wondered if it's possible.

[@willg8742]

Love the video, I like the steel more. Also you look like Jacob from trailer park boys

[@warmoth]

LOL.

[@flatwoundfisker]

Have 2 bass necks from you guys and love them! Are you ever going to offer a 35” scale option?

[@windsurfmaui8239]

Good video.I'm not a bass player but to me the steel neck sounded darker and a little muddy. The graphite sounded brighter and clearer. Question how did added the steel reinforcemend remove dead spots on the neck?

[@martinolssonbass]

It doesn´t remove deadspots, but making the neck more stiff will make the deadspots less severe.

[@email3575]

steel makes them less resonant, more hard and dead. Bright hard and dead. Not good

[@schreds8882]

It's always hard to make judgments on these things because KZbin compresses the audio. In the studio, the difference is probably more obvious. It seemed to me that neck B sustained longer but I liked neck A personally. It's totally subjective, of course. I'm thinking that the steel reinforcement vibrates more than the graphite and thus gives more sustain and a snappier response.

[@surface-to-airmissilelaunc4656]

It's probably the exact opposite. There's a trend in these tests: heavier and stiffer materials which vibrate less with the strings absorb less energy, so you hear more treble and more sustain out of the strings.

[@jkgrooves]

I'll take two of each please 🙂

[@midnightwind8067]

The steel had a increase in sound density to my ear. Hard to explain.. perhaps more felt than heard. My preference would definitely be the steel.

[@email3575]

And when you feel steel it will be less resonant too, it's deader and harder and heavier. It's about feel too. you have to play one

[@moose6666]

I was able to hear more attack with neck B and it was brighter

[@DavidPurviance]

I liked neck B, but Im not a bassist

[@Roscoes_House_of_Blues]

Me too

[@rmccain99]

I would choose neck A" for rock or slap. Neck B" for everything else

[@sheikantoniovonpeanutbutte9667]

The graphite sounded thin to me -steel sounded girthier

[@BumDog2112]

I got it right. Yay me!!!

[@sir7707]

Stiffening bars.... Steal kinda cold. Graphite is nice material warm. Titanium would my choice.

[@mingustheduck]

Which is neck A And which is Neck B?

[@dustinhamlin2333]

Hard to say but prolly graphite. I think there's enough brightness coming from your amp settings. Also sounds like you're using new strings

[@LetzBeaFranque]

Neck B was better when the 7th fret g string was played - the notorious dead spot.

[@Stego86]

Neck A to my ear had more sustain, and I could too hear it a bit warmer

[@abrahamyanes2405]

Working at Taylor Guitars

[@RobertoLillo]

Why don't put graphite reinforcement on guitar necks like Kiesel or Charvel?

[@LotharOfTheHillPeople]

If you're using hardwood, at a normal guitar scale you won't run into many issues with twisting or instability. Sounds like Kiesel is not preparing their wood properly if they've run into enough issues to use rods.

[@RobertoLillo]

@@LotharOfTheHillPeople I doubt that a brand like Kiesel (Carvin) uses low quality woods on his guitars. But If you play on boats or beach places I assure you that you would appreciate the extra stiffness provided by the graphite rods on neck.

[@surface-to-airmissilelaunc4656]

@@LotharOfTheHillPeople Kiesel ages their wood really well, and I have never heard of one of their necks twisting. ALL wood is somewhat unstable though, and they put in carbon fiber rods to ensure that they move as little as possible when travelling between climates, for touring musicians or people who live in places with inconsistent weather.

[@LotharOfTheHillPeople]

@@surface-to-airmissilelaunc4656 Sounds like unnecessary weight if your wood is dried properly.

[@surface-to-airmissilelaunc4656]

@@LotharOfTheHillPeople the point is that no matter how well you dry wood, it will always shift with moisture and heat. the goal is to have a zero-maintenance neck.

[@ericarway]

3:13 is that Big Bottom? :)

[@natron1908]

I think I like the steel for the lower notes and with the open string notes. But I like the graphite with the higher notes. A minor tweak of the tone adjustment, no difference I assume. I would be interested in which bass slaps easier, has more bounce. I also noticed some fret buzz, a bit concerning, but maybe it's not an indication of work needed but personal preference.

[@rmccain99]

A" is steel and B'' is graphite. Graphite should have less neck dive. Graphite sounds softer.

[@TopK3k]

after first 2 notes i supposed it will be Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath :D

[@Hexspa]

And they say only electronics make a difference

[@JosephGallagher]

Neck B sounds snappier, I prefer neck A

[@greggblankenshipp8202]

Neck B 4 me............................................................Boom!

[@tribunation]

Steel.

[@itchyvinyl]

Is that extra 4 oz enough to make a P or J “neck heavy” or dive?

[@Knight_Boxx]

It depends on the weight of the body. If it's a really light body, it will probably neck dive.

[@warmoth]

The top horn on P and J bodies extends out far enough that 4 oz along the length of the neck doesn't make much of a difference as far a balance is concerned. Neither of the builds in this video were neck-heavy at all.

[@Person-cv9dj]

Question can you also order a neck thru body and beck?

[@warmoth]

Nope. We make bolt-on parts only.

[@Person-cv9dj]

@@warmoth oh and do you guys make like gibson style flying v bodies?

[@warmoth]

warmoth.com/index.php/switchback-body-builder

[@timbuk1126]

B

[@richardsalazar17]

a sounded more bass responce

[@georgeezzell4474]

I saw 1&2 so you don’t have to feel sorry for me.

[@ileutur6863]

Psychoacoustics. No significant difference

[@user-rc4re5fo2f]

big difference. Moreso in real life too. And in your hands. Buy both and play them then get back to us