Moses Graphite Graphite FL Neck for Sterling Reviews 
4 / 5 based on 1 reviewsColor: Black on black
Size: Fits EBMM Sterling 4-string
Finish: satin smooth
Strings etc: user supplies strings
I got it from Bass NW. I don't recall the exact price but it was well under the moses price, and unlike a new neck bought direct from Moses, this used one already had the brass inserts installed so it bolted roght onto my Sterling. It also came with HipShot tuners already installed ! Bass NW rawks.
Oh yes, the 'why' ... 'Why' is cuz I really dig graphite composite for instruments.
http://www.bassnw.com/usedbass.htm
What's NOT to like ? It's a graphite FL neck with a very easy to play [flat-ish] profile. I'm playing DR Red Devil steel RWs on a FL ax with ceramic PU's, plastic neck, alder body, and killer active system.
Strap balance remains perfect. The Moses attachment system uses machine screw, not wood screws, into threaded brass inserts in the composite neck.
What's especially special to like ? The Moses neck jacked the output on n already high output bass, so .... not needing any excess output, I lowered the PU as far as it would go. Now I have that cool 'lowered PU' tone in spades, at an output at least as strong as the original wooden neck and typical [non-lowered] PU height. Way cool.
Not really dislikes, just a coupla glitches: It's NOT a EBMM-style 3+1 headstock, so the entire bass is now rather long, with the Moses 4-inline headstock.
The truss rod is at the heel, but lacks the convenient EBMM capstan wheel, so it can't be adjusted conveniently via the original adjuster rout. OTOH, it never needs readjusting for weather changes, and th eneck is held on by machine screws rather than wood screws, so there's no wear and tear to loosening the neck to access the rod nut.
I had to change the original EBMM neck shim for something of a different thickness. I don't think thaz a real flaw, since you hafta do the same thing when you swap one EBMM neck for another EBMM neck. But it's part of the 'things not to like' ... unless you pay Moses almost $200 for installation, and ship them your ax.
The finish is good, not terrific. You can slightly see the ghosts of dots and lines on the FB, where they would be if you ordered those options, even tho mine is a blank plank. I guess they use a 'modualar components' mold system to handle both version from the same mold.
The finish on the BACK of the neck is excellent and feel great. I have a complete Moses bass as well, and even with a more complex and complete product [whole bass vs just a neck] I've found that it may not be fancy, but it's reliable and sets up to the fussiest set-up. So Moses quality is to be trusted, even if some of their finishing touches seem less than top shelf.
Another odd toch that is unimpressive: The string tree is a crudely cut and crudely finished graphite composite disc. Uglee, but lightweight. It has that 'WTF were they thinking?' look to it.
Moses replacement necks are well accepted and they have earned that. They are expensive. The cheapest way to have one is to find a used one which is rare, or a used bass already equipt with one, which is less rare than finding a used neck, especially if you want a J-bass. Other variants are harder to find.
I'm impressed with the increase in overall output. The wooden neck must have been soaking up vibes that the Moses neck instead delivers to the PU ! The profile is more comfortable than the EBMM neck [flatter] and the tone is more uniform, meaning less boom, but but plenty of clean bottom. Actually, 'cleaner' is a good word for the tone across the whole EQ spectrum. To some, this means 'less character'. Maybe that is true for some players. But with the FL version, it works in the player's favor as it's easier and more predictable to finess the tone, with very easy effort at the finger tips, IOW, my control is enhanced. Maybe some EBMM 'character' is reduced, but MY 'character' is better supported. BTW, I also have a wooden neck FL Sterling, so the difference is NOT just speculation. I play both.
Golem rated this unit
on
2010-04-28.
