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Forum: Woods, Electronics, & Components 02-16-2011, 12:47 PM
Replies: 44
Views: 76,626
Posted By Ken Smith
Lightbulb thickness..

About 10-15 years ago or so we started making the Fingerboards thicker to have a longer life in fretting and re-fretting as boards get sanded and re-leveled once in awhile. If you start out thinner,...
Forum: Woods, Electronics, & Components 08-29-2010, 12:32 PM
Replies: 44
Views: 76,626
Posted By Ken Smith
Thumbs up yes..

I didn't mention the wax polish because not everyone has it. Still, in the shop we normally use mineral oil for maintenance or the wax polish. In the finishing we do put an initial coat of oil on the...
Forum: Woods, Electronics, & Components 08-29-2010, 02:26 AM
Replies: 44
Views: 76,626
Posted By Ken Smith
Cool mineral

Non solvent type mineral oil. Use as needed..
Forum: Woods, Electronics, & Components 08-25-2010, 09:39 PM
Replies: 44
Views: 76,626
Posted By Ken Smith
Thumbs up yes..

Years ago it was what we used most mainly for the lack of good quality reliable ebony. Once we found a reliable supply, we started making them both ways with either FB before switching to Ebony as...
Forum: Woods, Electronics, & Components 08-25-2010, 08:16 AM
Replies: 44
Views: 76,626
Posted By Ken Smith
Cool finish?

There is no finish on the boards. Just fine sanded and then oiled. I would not call the oiling a real finish as Ebony is oily in itself. It just helps keep it lubricated to a degree.

I once read...
Forum: Woods, Electronics, & Components 11-27-2009, 06:18 PM
Replies: 44
Views: 76,626
Posted By Ken Smith
Cool ??

A Fender is a Fender and a Smith is a Smith. A Smith with a maple fb will not become a Fender and nor will a Fender with an Ebony fb become a Smith.

I can save a bit of money doing what Fender...
Forum: Woods, Electronics, & Components 11-27-2009, 12:29 PM
Replies: 44
Views: 76,626
Posted By Ken Smith
Lightbulb no...

It is not just about looks in my Book. Maple is no where near as good for a Fingerboard as Ebony or Morado. Besides having less strength, it bends easier and gets dirty in a hurry. Violins had maple...
Forum: Woods, Electronics, & Components 11-18-2009, 09:37 AM
Replies: 44
Views: 76,626
Posted By Ken Smith
Cool well..

We have been using Maple as the main or only wood in our Necks since the start 30 years ago. Maple has been used on Violin family instruments for centuries as well. It is considered the best for that...
Forum: Woods, Electronics, & Components 11-18-2009, 01:29 AM
Replies: 44
Views: 76,626
Posted By Ken Smith
Lightbulb no..

Mahogany is just way too soft for a Bass neck in my opinion. Ash is on the brittle side and is very grainy.

Mahogany is easy to get in clean pieces or Lumber. Ash is much cheaper than Oak in the...
Forum: Woods, Electronics, & Components 01-22-2009, 06:25 PM
Replies: 44
Views: 76,626
Posted By Ken Smith
Lightbulb alternate ways of reducing the stress on the neck?

Play a few Smith Basses and tell me if they feel like there is Stress on the Neck, please!

Not all of our Basses have the custom made graphite rods in them. Yet all of our Necks, Graphite or not...
Forum: Woods, Electronics, & Components 12-14-2008, 08:06 PM
Replies: 44
Views: 76,626
Posted By Ken Smith
Lightbulb Walnut Neck?

First off, this Thread is about MY Neck of the Woods and not some other brands or ways of building. I will not discuss other brands or build styles here. I do what I do and will tell you what I don't...
Forum: Woods, Electronics, & Components 02-19-2007, 10:05 PM
Replies: 44
Views: 76,626
Posted By Ken Smith
Cool In a couple of years?

In a couple of years and your having me write this 'book' now? Talk about a starving writer!:(.. kidding..:D:D

Ok, we make that combination all the time but with Mahogany as the laminate and not...
Forum: Woods, Electronics, & Components 02-19-2007, 05:35 PM
Replies: 44
Views: 76,626
Posted By Ken Smith
Cool Ebony Lams?

I have done Bubinga in place of Mahogany Lams but Ebony being an oily wood would not be my first choice for that. Also, we make all of our own veneers so double re-sawing a 1" piece of Ebony will not...
Forum: Woods, Electronics, & Components 02-19-2007, 02:50 PM
Replies: 44
Views: 76,626
Posted By Ken Smith
Cool nice warm, "woody" tone?

I think in my mind, those two words warm and woody mean something close to opposite as far as sound goes. For Neck stringers (the going term) Walnut is barely 60% the strength of Morado or Bubinga....
Forum: Woods, Electronics, & Components 02-19-2007, 12:05 PM
Replies: 44
Views: 76,626
Posted By Ken Smith
Lightbulb Walnut Neck?

First, No. I have not made Walnut necks BUT I have seen a few. Also, Walnut has many hidden defects like Pin Knots and is not the best thing for a Neck. Walnut has the density of soft Maple and not...
Forum: Woods, Electronics, & Components 02-18-2007, 09:19 AM
Replies: 44
Views: 76,626
Posted By Ken Smith
Cool Ok, this is a lot to answer in one post so I will...

Ok, this is a lot to answer in one post so I will do it as a Q and A thing.
-------------------------

Q:is there a noticeable difference between a 5 and 7 piece neck?

A:Yes, to my ear the...
Forum: Woods, Electronics, & Components 02-09-2007, 09:07 PM
Replies: 44
Views: 76,626
Posted By Ken Smith
Wink My 'Neck' of the 'Woods'!

Hi folks, this new Thread is basically 'Neck Talk' as far as how we do things. Also, we can discuss the differences between various construction types of Necks as well as Fingerboard materials,...
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