Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: funkyjazzjunky on December 19, 2008, 09:52:38 AM

Title: Flat Neck
Post by: funkyjazzjunky on December 19, 2008, 09:52:38 AM

I like my necks straight; no relief at all.  I think this improves intonation (Anthony Jackson plays his basses with straight necks as well)
 
It takes a while to get set up properly to avoid buzzing, but to me it is worth the effort.  
 
(As a disclaimer: I sound lousy so matter what)
 
Most bassist I bump into in the Washington DC area prefer a 'litte relief'
 
What do you think?

Title: Flat Neck
Post by: 811952 on December 19, 2008, 09:56:59 AM

A slight amount of relief is my preference.

Title: Flat Neck
Post by: 3rd_ray on December 19, 2008, 10:38:28 AM

A like a little relief too. I rarely use my thumb, but using my fingers I go from a light touch to hitting the strings like it was a slap with a thumb (like John Entwistle, but not as good of course). I think if you have a straight neck you either have to play with a light touch or you have to be extremely articulate to get a variety of sounds. Or maybe you could say the relief is a way of covering up sloppy playing. (Maybe I should only speak for myself on that!)
 
Actually I sold my first Alembic over 10 years ago because the neck was too straight. I wasn't able to get used to it, and I didn't know that I could change it.  
 
Mike

Title: Flat Neck
Post by: funkyjazzjunky on December 19, 2008, 11:36:48 AM

I started out playing the double bass and playing classical music (which requires focused articulation)
 
How is your action?  High... Low...

Title: Flat Neck
Post by: 3rd_ray on December 19, 2008, 12:44:27 PM

I hold the lowest string down at the 1st and 24th frets and measure around 20 - 30 mils between the 7th fret and the bottom of the string. Then I set the action so that the bottom of the strings are around 3/16 inch above the 24th fret. I guess that's fairly low.  
 
Mike

Title: Flat Neck
Post by: white_cloud on December 21, 2008, 07:48:00 AM

I would imagine that it is an extremely high maintenance job keeping any wooden neck perfectly straight!! Surely there must be constant adjustments all the time - bearing in mind changes in temperature/environment etc????
 
Even most graphite necks have a small built in relief???
 
John.

Title: Flat Neck
Post by: funkyjazzjunky on December 22, 2008, 09:15:03 AM

Yes I constantly adjust during the summer, but not so much in the winter

Title: Flat Neck
Post by: nikobask on December 22, 2008, 03:22:31 PM

i set up without relief and if there is buzz i stard to tweak the truss rod in order to have a better sound but near flat