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Alembic Club » Alembic Basses & Guitars » Archive: 2007 » Archive through April 27, 2007 » Effect of wood displacement for truss rods « Previous Next »

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the_8_string_king
Senior Member
Username: the_8_string_king

Post Number: 490
Registered: 9-2005
Posted on Monday, March 26, 2007 - 6:50 pm:   Edit Post

I'm curious about what effect (if any) the wood that is cut out from the neck has on: the strength of the neck; and on the sound.

Of course, it goes without saying that Alembic knows what they're doing; an obviously truss rods are necessary to allow for adjustments to the neck when they're needed. I'm assuming that they don't significantly weaken the neck in any way... is this correct? It seems irrelevent, as a "stronger" neck that can't be adjusted would surely be of little value.

More significantly, I wonder about the effect on sound. For example, most of us know about the wondrous effects of Ebony neck laminates...

I've been wondering if, say, someone were ordering a bass with, let's say, 2 Ebony neck laminates, if they should design their neck so that the 2 Ebony neck laminates ARE NOT in the position where they'll be partially-carved away to make space for the truss rods... for fear of reducing the impact that the Ebony has on the sound... or if the effect of the wood being carved out doesn't have enough of an impact/effect to make a difference.

I just can't help wondering. How significant is this issue? Is it something someone getting Ebony laminates should consider... or is it not significant enough to warrent consideration? I'd be curious to hear Alembics' thoughts on this... I'd be curious to hear if this thought has been considered, and whether any conclusions have be drawn in this area.
terryc
Intermediate Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 112
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 7:11 am:   Edit Post

Well I guess removing wood does affect the sound but I would rather have the truss rods keeping everything stable as moisture on the ebony board(even with lemon oil treatment) could end up up with bowing of the neck. I guess it is swings and roundbouts and I guess again is why they invented graphite necks(solid, uniform, stable and no truss rod)
Personally I like the look and feel of wood under the fingers, graphite necks maybe great but I cannot help thinking of 'plastic guitars'..no offence intended but stienbergers just didn't do it for me
bigredbass
Senior Member
Username: bigredbass

Post Number: 1158
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 5:51 pm:   Edit Post

I've played one with Ebony laminates . . . BELIEVE ME, you won't miss whatever was lost to the router for the truss rods!

J o e y
2400wattman
Advanced Member
Username: 2400wattman

Post Number: 315
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 6:36 pm:   Edit Post

I have two Modulus basses(bolt on necks) and the sustain is unreal, even to the point I have to decay notes myself to mimic a(bolt on jazz bass) wooden necks limits, but my Series 1's(no ebony lams. though) sustain is damn near equal to my Modulus. I could only imagine ebony lams. impact on the tone!
terryc
Intermediate Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 116
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 - 12:32 am:   Edit Post

Ebony laminates..if I ever win the lottery here in the UK then a custom with ebony in the neck and maybe a ebony hippy sandwich is top of the list..guess a lumbar support would be advisable as well!!
I would love to here the sustain offered by these, apparently the fundamental goes on for an eternity
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 798
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 - 10:45 am:   Edit Post

I was thinking the same thing Terryc, lets hope I win the lottery before you do. I've got my tickets this evening.

Maybe I better start going to the gym to build up some more muscles to hold that ebony sandwich :-)

:-)

Cheers
Jazzyvee
terryc
Intermediate Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 117
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Thursday, March 29, 2007 - 3:06 am:   Edit Post

Oh we can dream...all the basses, cars, motorcycles that we lust for but it is nothing if you have not got your health
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 799
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, March 29, 2007 - 9:27 am:   Edit Post

very true, But I can be just as unhealthy with an alembic as without one so If I'm gonna be unhealthy I may as well have something I can enjoy to keep my spirits up.

Fortunately at the moment I am blessed with good health.
jazzyvee
terryc
Intermediate Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 121
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Monday, April 02, 2007 - 1:57 am:   Edit Post

jazzyvee...missed you at whitby last year since i only live 20 odd miles up the road.

Any more gigs around Teesside area??

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