Laminate Constriction

[Greg Lorisco]

Thanks Ken.

It would also seem that adding the heal would function much like a bolt-on joint and provide the NT with the same low-end kick with the added bonus of great sustain?

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Greg Lorisco

Thanks Ken.

It would also seem that adding the heal would function much like a bolt-on joint and provide the NT with the same low-end kick with the added bonus of great sustain?

The bigger difference IMO (speaking as the player), is feel. If you want proof of that, find a bolt-on and a neck-thru, play it and feel the difference for yourself.

[Greg Lorisco]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

The bigger difference IMO (speaking as the player), is feel. If you want proof of that, find a bolt-on and a neck-thru, play it and feel the difference for yourself.

I prefer NT; more sustain, faster / easier access above the 12th fret, you can dial in the action lower, etc.

[Maurice Hason]

Originally Posted by Greg Lorisco

I prefer NT; more sustain, faster / easier access above the 12th fret, you can dial in the action lower, etc.

Can you explain please how a NT allows lower action?
I didn't know this has anything to do with action but I may be wrong...

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Greg Lorisco

....you can dial in the action lower, etc.

Originally Posted by Maurice Hason

Can you explain please how a NT allows lower action?
I didn't know this has anything to do with action but I may be wrong...

As far as "lower action"? It doesn't. "Action" is the string height, as adjusted for the players preference, from the fretboard. A neck truss-rod adjustment can also impact the "action" by increasing or decreasing the amount of relief in the neck.

Besides the obvious, one of the larger differences is where the end of the fretboard/neck meets the body. The BO neck and fretboard sit a bit higher at the body: This is where the feel is very different between a BO and NT (at the body).

I can set-up the action on either my BO or NT equally. But again, the bigger difference being in the feel at the end of the fretboard (particularly noticible when thumb and pop technique is used at the EOF) of a BO vs. a NT. A larger gap between the bottom of the strings and body at the end of the fretboard of a BO neck.

In the end, it's a choice and preference for the player. For me: I use both and depending on the tune, I make my choice accordingly.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Maurice Hason

Can you explain please how a NT allows lower action?
I didn't know this has anything to do with action but I may be wrong...

The only real difference is that on a NT, the Fingerboard is flush with the body so there is less room under the string. On a BO, the neck is lifted and there is more room from the string to the body at the end of the FB. Some funk-type slappers like this feature while many of them play the NT and just love it.

Action off the strings over the FB depends on the individual neck/bass and not the construction.

[Greg Lorisco]

Originally Posted by Maurice Hason

Can you explain please how a NT allows lower action?
I didn't know this has anything to do with action but I may be wrong...

IMO, the action can be functionally lower on a NT because it is one piece of wood the length of the string (full length laminate) instead of two pieces bolted together in the middle. A bolted joint is never as stable (immovable) as no joint at all. So if the strings stopped on a bolt-on at the end of the fretboard there would be no difference. But because the stings continue much beyond that it’s not the same.

Others may not agree with this, but this has been my experience with the bolt-on and NT basses I have owned.

[Greg Lorisco]

I’m looking at the NT MS basses and it states the necks are 3-piece laminate, but it looks like one piece?

How stable are these necks with only maple compared to the 5-piece?

Also, unrelated question: Since 6-stirng necks have more wood (wider, thicker, etc), would the low-B on a 6 be more meaty than on a 5-string?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Greg Lorisco

I’m looking at the NT MS basses and it states the necks are 3-piece laminate, but it looks like one piece?

How stable are these necks with only maple compared to the 5-piece?

Also, unrelated question: Since 6-stirng necks have more wood (wider, thicker, etc), would the low-B on a 6 be more meaty than on a 5-string?

Q:How stable are these necks with only maple compared to the 5-piece?
A: At least as stable.. All the same species of wood and less Glue Joints.

Q's:Also, unrelated question: Since 6-string necks have more wood (wider, thicker, etc), would the low-B on a 6 be more meaty than on a 5-string?
A's: First off they are wider overall but NOT thicker. The thicknesses stays the same hence the flatter FB radius.
Any and every note on a 6 vs 5-string has MORE wood around it being wider all over especially the neck and fb. Therefore EVERY note to my ear is 'meatier' sounding.