Asymmetrical Trapezoidal Neck Profile

NOTE: Patent Applied For (John Vereb, patent attorney).

"I'm so excited I could spooge." — Monster

In the interests of remaining work-friendly, we'll not publish the video of said spooging, but instead proceed posthaste toward neck construction theory associated with Headless Monster, to wit: asymmetrical trapezoidal neck profile.

Enough of the 18th century language. Just build the damn neck.

Okay. Yeah. Whatever.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Somebody please get "The Luthier" a cup of coffee.

Ahem.

With the luxury of several hours of unedited video at my disposal vis-à-vis Monster Eats Orchid, I've been studying how the Maestro positions his thumb in relation to the trapezoidal neck profile — happily, on the "flat strip" that runs up the back center of the neck. Opposite and parallel to the fingerboard. Right where it should be for good ergonomic form. So far so good.

But what about a 5-string?

A 5-string bass, with a low B, is not only nearly 25% wider, but must also withstand multiplied longitudinal string tension due to another (thicker) "bridge cable." All for the sake of shakin' booties on the dance floor — that coveted sub-killin', elephant-talkin', earth-movin' rumble.

Hope your amp is up to the challenge.

Because a 5-string is too wide for "thumb creep" over the top of the neck, and because there is no biomechanical leverage advantage gained by planting the thumb against the upper-back of the neck profile...why not just eliminate it?

I would rather have a stiffer, lighter, more resonant neck structure. Additional torsional resistance gained by increasing the width of the 6063-T5 aluminum tube more than offsets added longitudinal string tension. And the strength-to-weight ratio advantage of an "air filled" neck is maintained.

Most importantly, increased width of the "flat strip" provides an extended natural leverage point for the pinching movement of Monster's hand, maintaining a parallel support behind even the B string. If it works as well as I hope, I will also build 4-string bass necks asymmetrically thusly.

HEADLESS MONSTER SERIES:

Aaaahhrrrgg...they're MULTIPLYING!!!
Headless Monster
Lever Tuning System
Asymmetrical Trapezoidal Neck Profile
Um...

Drawing (below) requires you to use your imagination. The strings are spaced as they would be at the heel of the neck, rather than the nut. Darker brown "wood" depicts neck heel cross-section. Lighter brown "wood" depicts neck nut cross-section. View from nut toward heel.

Comments

[The Increduble Bulk]

If you could find aluminum stock in a trapezoidal shape, you could keep the trapezoidal neck ~ better comfort for the player. With a dual truss rod design it may also help to keep the neck right where you want it with a low B and keep the torsional effects to a minimum with an offset truss rod in the neck. A middle tang in the extrusion would also increase the rigidity of the truss rod assembly as well.