MOVING BEYOND WIZARD NECKS........ - Page 2

buddroyce · #16 11-29-2006, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NRS

I found a great use for my Wizard neck!

Since I'm not really ready to risk sanding down any thicker neck I own right now (untill I know exactly what I want) and since the Wizard neck is just so gosh darn thin, I instead began experimenting with building up layers of electrical tape on the back of it to try and find out what I like. I'm finding some suprising results.

So far I found the thickness and taper behind the B and high E strings is perfect, but after that I tend to want to build up gradual layers in 1/4" incriments moving toward the low E. (yet without sacrificing too much flattness on the back) so something asymetrical may really be my ticket. I'm also seeing I like more a tighter radius rounded shape up by the A and low E which would explain why I liked the EBMM Petrucci so much.

Lastly I've applied an extra two layers of tape from about seventh fret to the top and one additional layer from about the third fret up on top of that making the overall thickness of the neck a little more uniform down its entire lenth. (I found much of the thinness I did'nt like was mostly up by the top). At its thickest point however, theres really no more than about 5-6 layers of tape anywhere, proving that just a subtle 1-2 mm thickness increase really can make all the difference!

I'd highly reccommend this techniqe to anyone whose not quite satified with thier Wizard neck and wants to experiment. The electrical tape peels up really easy when your done too.

Any Ibanez or other neck out there reccommendable based on the above info I just provided? Thanks

What you just described is pretty much the exact same thing that my Ibanez RG8670 and JCRG-2 have(thickness I mean.. not the electrical tape part...)

dragsternj · #17 11-29-2006, 11:26 PM

I just got a old S470 with a wizard and that thing is just way to thin for me. I like the neck of the newer Jem's (VWH) and also my Steinberger Graphite Neck is VERY comfortable.

rastachild · #18 11-30-2006, 01:26 PM

you should try the js1000. it's definitely thicker than the wizard/wizard 2, but it's slightly thinner than the ebmm axis. radius is 305mm if i remember correctly which correlates closely to 12 inches. it's my favorite neck by far.

ibanez had another neck profile that was very similar to that called the viper which felt very stratty, but not as thick. too bad they don't make those anymore.

fettouhi · #19 11-30-2006, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kontalonis

I personally switched to ernie ball axis necks for the finish alone. It's so smooth and its profile is really nice too. As for the profile i hear this is a somewhat accurate diagram.

It is classified as E.B. Contour - Asymmetrical .850".

I think the necks were developed by EVH and Sterling Ball when Eddie had a signature model with them.

Hope this helps! It is a great feeling profile and what it lacks in thinness it makes up in finish. It also feels a whole lot better for chording than the wizard. Just my 2 cents...

EBMM necks are fantastic

.

Regards

André

**jim777** · #20 12-01-2006, 11:59 AM

You're in New York, you should be able to try out nearly everything! Head down to 48th St. if you're downstate and spend a day walking around the shops.

NRS · #21 12-04-2006, 02:08 AM

Yeah, been down there. Its decent if you live in Manhatten and need a place you can get to by subway, but other than that I'd say its notoriety far exceeds its stock. I much prefer the vast selection of all the big wharehouse giants in Jersey like Guitar Center , Sam Ash, Victors, ect. (Plus I dont have to pay to park!)

ihsoy · #22 12-05-2006, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rastachild

ibanez had another neck profile that was very similar to that called the viper which felt very stratty, but not as thick. too bad they don't make those anymore.

The viper neck does rock...

I played one of these on an RV470, and loved it...but the guitar itself was overpriced for the condition...

Ke^in · #23 12-12-2006, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ayrton

Rant On

I just don’t see what all the dust up is about on the original wizard anyway. I think it is pretty obvious that the neck was too thin by the number of cracked necks I see and a thicker neck offers better sound anyway. It is not like Ibanez went from the wizard to an acoustic neck or anything. I have four strats with four different necks and while I can tell one is thicker than the other, after 5 minutes I don’t even notice. I understand everyone has their preference, but c’mon, it is just 2mm.

Rant Off

It's not just the thickness. The fretboard radius is different and the over all shape is too.
There are cracked Wizard IIs out there as well.

**Ayrton** · #24 12-13-2006, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ke^in

It's not just the thickness. The fretboard radius is different and the over all shape is too.
There are cracked Wizard IIs out there as well.

Perhaps, but the differences are so minor, I just don't see what all the fuss is about.

YMMV

crevis · #25 12-13-2006, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ayrton

Perhaps, but the differences are so minor, I just don't see what all the fuss is about.

YMMV

You must like to play alot of different necks but some people prefer to get used to one neck and to one of those people (like me) the differences seem alot more obvious.

Ke^in · #26 12-13-2006, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ayrton

Perhaps, but the differences are so minor, I just don't see what all the fuss is about.

YMMV

They aren't MINOR, or there wouldn't be a fuss. There is a big difference between the two.

Ke^in · #27 12-13-2006, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crevis

You must like to play alot of different necks but some people prefer to get used to one neck and to one of those people (like me) the differences seem alot more obvious.

I wasn't even PLAYING Ibanez guitars at the time and noticed a difference.

In the 80s and early 90s I played wizard necks. Then I switched to PRS guitars for about a decade. During this time the Wizard II neck showed up. I've ALWAYS liked S series guitars and always picked em up and played them in the music stores once in awhile. The first time I picked up an S with a Wizard II something didn't feel right. I knew Ibanez changed it.

Luckily at the time the higher ends still had them. Up until 2004. I sold my PRS and found me a 2000 model Prestige S with one. Been happy ever since.

I wont buy a new S series until they start coming with super wizards again.

And NOT the wider version some RGs have now.

**Ayrton** · #28 12-13-2006, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ke^in

They aren't MINOR, or there wouldn't be a fuss. There is a big difference between the two.

I have both necks and I disagree.

LonePhantom · #29 12-13-2006, 04:27 PM

I've got both and I don't think it's too huge a difference. Enough to notice but it doesn't really cause me any problems.

Ke^in · #30 12-13-2006, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ayrton

I have both necks and I disagree.

Well not only are the originals THINNER, they are also SHAPED differently and have a flatter radius. If you can't tell the difference there I don't know what to tell you.

I guess some people are more sensitive to these things than others.

Playing on a WizardII to me is like numbing my hand a bit before I play. I am not saying the Wizard II sucks. Some people prefer it over the original wizard.

I am just not one of them. Ibanez should give an option.