Thinning a thick ?

[Thomas Erickson]

Got it!

I don't think there's anything wrong with shaping a neck to suit one's preference, since it's not such an integral part of the instrument; same for adding graphite or whatever. My only concern, really, is with the addition of graphite increasing the odds of major damage to the top block etc. when (not if) the bass sustains trauma... Even if it's more likely that the neck breaks at the top, well, again, it's still just a neck.

[Thomas Erickson]

Originally Posted by wayne holmes

I still maintain that a CF rod is a must to properly fix a broken neck- I would vote that all basses come with them already installed when they are made.

The proper fix for a broken neck is a neck graft; a new bass, properly made with a good maple neck and thick ebony fingerboard doesn't need any reinforcement to be structurally sound - your post doesn't really make sense.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Thomas Erickson

The proper fix for a broken neck is a neck graft; a new bass, properly made with a good maple neck and thick ebony fingerboard doesn't need any reinforcement to be structurally sound - your post doesn't really make sense.

The Graphite will even the tone out and help your neck stay straight and the FB last longer.

The Basses I am talking about would never get repairs to the the neck other than a temporary fix. That would cheapen and devalue the bass if left that way. These basses I am referring to are in the upper range of mid 5 to 6 figures in price.

I have over 40 years of playing basses and carrying them around. I have bumped and banged my share of basses. Never once did a neck break, with or without graphite. When a bass falls the playing area of the neck is the strongest usually which is also supported by an ebony fingerboard and a thick one if it's my bass. Scroll breaks are far more common than neck breaks and block area breaks are the second most damaged area I see on old basses. It depends on the fall. Graphite is not the problem here, people are.

[Thomas Erickson]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

The Graphite will even the tone out and help your neck stay straight and the FB last longer.

I can see where the graphite might keep the neck from bowing, and prevent the FB from needing dressing because of it.

I don't think the graphite is going to keep the neck from twisting though; it seems to me like it might even contribute to it.

How exactly does adding graphite to the neck "even out" the tone of the bass? Last I checked graphite isn't a tone wood, nor is whatever substance is used to glue it into the neck...

[Arnold Schnitzer]

Originally Posted by Thomas Erickson

How exactly does adding graphite to the neck "even out" the tone of the bass? Last I checked graphite isn't a tone wood, nor is whatever substance is used to glue it into the neck...

My take on it is this: When the neck is stiffer, it "wobbles" less and robs less energy from the corpus. The stiffer neck is less absorbent of vibration, and the energy of the plucked or bowed string does more good at the business end of the bass. I have observed this many times; not just when installing a carbon fiber reinforcement, but also when replacing a mushy neck and/or fingerboard. The result for the player appears to be a bit more power, easier response, and more evenness of tone.

[Pino Cazzaniga]

Originally Posted by Arnold Schnitzer

My take on it is this: When the neck is stiffer, it "wobbles" less and robs less energy from the corpus. The stiffer neck is less absorbent of vibration, and the energy of the plucked or bowed string does more good at the business end of the bass. I have observed this many times; not just when installing a carbon fiber reinforcement, but also when replacing a mushy neck and/or fingerboard. The result for the player appears to be a bit more power, easier response, and more evenness of tone.

I see. Did you notice any change on wolfness?

[Arnold Schnitzer]

No change.