| Author | Message | ||
| midnight_sun
Junior Username: midnight_sun Post Number: 11 Registered: 1-2005 |
I currently own and lately play solely my 6-string Essence. Here are the different nos. I found on the bass: # 97K10992 Flame Wal. KLSB6FW bar code: 0132290 I would appreciate any inputs on this fantastic bass. I have owned and played on Fender Jazz/Precision, Musicman, Warwick and Tobias but this is by far the best sound/tone quality. It just took some time getting use to the wider neck, 6th string confusion and specially the heavy weight of the bass. I search/surf and found the fret filing thread. I had exactly the same problem with my protruding frets that once even cut my thumb. From the numerous replies the thread received, I was able to learn and filed my frets nicely. It suddenly feels so smooth slide down the neck. Can any good metal polish be used to work the frets? Do shinnier frets have better sound or is it just cosmetics? I used a furniture polish with orange oil made by Pledge on the whole instrument including the fretboard. I like the effect on the fretboard but was not happy with the oily feel on the body. I think I'll go back to wax. | ||
| midnight_sun
Junior Username: midnight_sun Post Number: 13 Registered: 1-2005 |
As an after thought, I'm wondering why Alembic suggest that the strings be removed and truss rod tension loosen when filing the frets. The strings I can understand because it makes it easier when masking tape is applied. What is the thinking behind the truss rod tension? Marlon | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2462 Registered: 6-2000 |
When you take the strings off, the truss rods will be exerting too much tension. You can actually file the frets with the strings on, and the truss rods left alone, but it takes more skill. James sometimes only removes the outside strings, leaving the tension alone. If you are only going to file the fret ends and immediately replace the strings, relieving the tension may not be necessary. But it's really the nicest thing to do to the neck. The body is covered with polyester finish, so oil and wax are not good candidates for cleaning. Use a good guitar polish specifically for plastic finishes. Anything else will just smear around and sit on the top. If you don't have a good guitar polish available, use a lightly damp soft cloth to clean up any dirt, then dry with a separate dry soft cloth. When you oil the fingerboard, you can use a soft toothbrush to clean the grime and gunk from the edges of the frets. Don't rub real hard, the oil will do most of the work. We use and recommend pure lemon oil, as it conditions the wood nicely. Shiny frets just look nicer, unless your frets are so worn that they need resurfacing. If you do alot of bends, you may find the string slide faster over shinier frets. |
