Author Topic: Aging gracefully (Read 139 times)

gare · « **on:** October 19, 2005, 09:40:49 AM »

Being the ever curious Gare, I've been pondering..how long does it take the wood in our instruments to realize that it's no longer a tree ?
I've noticed some minor neck movement, more than likely just weather and seasonal changes. And we have had screwy weather in the midwest these past 6 months or so, no rain, temps 15/20 degrees above normal.
But it would seem that eventually it should settle down. My bass is just turning 1 year.
(I gonna surprise it with a new set of strings..shhh,it's a surprise)
G

palembic · « **Reply #1 on:** October 19, 2005, 10:09:57 AM »

Yowdelyhow Gare!
My good'ol trusted Bonnie is swinging her neck for the past 10 years now!
Wel ...huhuhheu ...swinging ...it is lesser than 10 years ago definitely! And that had a LOT to do with executing the Brother Joey-Routine (which I recommend ...it's an essential reading for every Alembic owner with that healthy level of curiousness and do-it-myself attitude). It IS swing-time right now over here in Belgium and the corrections I have to make are lesser than 1/8thst of a turn.

Keep up the good faith ...keep on trying ...with VERY TINY steps!!!

Paul TBO

ox_junior · « **Reply #2 on:** October 19, 2005, 12:22:23 PM »

My year-old Spyder is starting to move too. Only a little, but I'm losing the ability to execute those hammer-ons with any speed until I get her re-set.

But Saturday am bringing her in for her twice-a-year tweaking from my trusty luthier, John Wescott. Highly recommend this chap to anyone out here in Los Angeles...

gare · « **Reply #3 on:** October 19, 2005, 01:28:33 PM »

Brother Paul..
Always nice to hear from you. The Joey-Routine is highly recommended. Hoping my adjustments will be minor. But I'm going to hold off a bit and wait for weather to stabilize, we should be getting a freeze pretty soon. Tip one for me please.
Mike..have you attempted your own tweaking ? It actually quite simple,just need to take your time.
Either way, good luck...I hate buzzy necks !

ox_junior · « **Reply #4 on:** October 20, 2005, 10:22:26 PM »

I have thought about it, but I am an amateur at it and don't trust myself with such an expensive instrument...at least not yet. I might practice a little on my Exploiter before I make any moves on the Spyder.

the_mule · « **Reply #5 on:** October 21, 2005, 12:51:46 AM »

My EVH-4 is almost 15 years old now, and it's on a stand in my not climate controlled music room most of the time. Temperature and humidity changes (not very extreme) are common, but it doesn't even get out of tune...

Wilfred

bigredbass · « **Reply #6 on:** October 21, 2005, 05:53:29 PM »

SEE the thread in the FAQs/MustReads titled Questions About Wood, with sfnic's encyclopedic answer, a great read (thanks for including it, dave).

Basically, yes, the older they get, the more stable they become, barring you live outdoors in the Canal Zone, or you've just got that every once in a while piece that never settles in.

J o e y

811952 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 21, 2005, 06:22:53 PM »

Joey,

I was planning a KLR trip to NashVegas last weekend to visit JT and tried to contact you to see if you wanted to meet up, but your email bounced back...

John

bigredbass · « **Reply #8 on:** October 22, 2005, 01:50:52 PM »

DRAT! I just updated my email address, sorry I missed you. I'm a great tour guide for Nashville.

811952 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 22, 2005, 10:57:26 PM »

Joey,

I'll give you a holler the next time I plan a visit. I haven't been there (except driving through) in years.

John