Laminate Constriction

[Ronen Tat]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

We have made in the past set-neck models and a few non-pitched Neck-Thrus for testing. I think the Pitched method in either BO or NT performs better than non pitched.

Correct me if I'm wrong, it would be very difficult to deal with a non-pitched neck through, unless you inlay the bridge into the body - or you need to use a very low profile bridge.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Ronen Tat

Correct me if I'm wrong, it would be very difficult to deal with a non-pitched neck through, unless you inlay the bridge into the body - or you need to use a very low profile bridge.

Not at all IF, the Neck is Lifted up like a Bolt-on when made and glued up. That is how we made the 4 test basses back in 1982. I made 8 basses in one run, 4 with and 4 without pitch. Necks lifted about 1/8"/3mm without pitch or Fingerboard flush at body with 3 degree pitch, same bridge heights on both.

[Ronen Tat]

Understood. I'm glad you decided to go "flush & pitched"... I prefer the smaller string-body distance near the board.
I also think it's visually nicer, not having the pickups stick out too much, just my taste.

[Greg Lorisco]

I noticed that the 18mm bridge spacing 5 string neck is 3" wide at the 24th fret according to the Smith site. If you go with the 19mm bridge does that make the neck wider at the 24th fret or is it the same? If wider, how much wider?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Greg Lorisco

I noticed that the 18mm bridge spacing 5 string neck is 3" wide at the 24th fret according to the Smith site. If you go with the 19mm bridge does that make the neck wider at the 24th fret or is it the same? If wider, how much wider?

On a 5 string bass, everything would be 4mm wider from Nut to bridge and beyond overall. You can't just put a wider bridge on the same neck. The Strings would fall off the neck! Everything must be made wider.

[Ronen Tat]

I once ordered a 19mm spaced 5 string custom bass from a known luthier. Upon completion I double checked and I was told the bridge has 17.5mm (or 18).
I insisted that I get what I ordered and a 19mm bridge was installed. What I didn't know was that the whole bass was built around the original spacing.
Very bad result! No longer have that bass.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Ronen Tat

I once ordered a 19mm spaced 5 string custom bass from a known luthier. Upon completion I double checked and I was told the bridge has 17.5mm (or 18).
I insisted that I get what I ordered and a 19mm bridge was installed. What I didn't know was that the whole bass was built around the original spacing.
Very bad result! No longer have that bass.

You didn't order it from us. If it had been a Smith bass in 18mm and an error in making it, WE would have made an entirely NEW 19mm Bass to replace the one made in 18mm by mistake. What they did was outright wrong as you were able to tell in seconds when they sent it back modified incorrectly.

[Ronen Tat]

It was NOT a Ken Smith bass.
I'm actually very sorry that I didn't order one from you back then (1999). I'm good now though

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Greg Lorisco

I noticed that the 18mm bridge spacing 5 string neck is 3" wide at the 24th fret according to the Smith site. If you go with the 19mm bridge does that make the neck wider at the 24th fret or is it the same? If wider, how much wider?

Greg, the 18mm Smith 5-String does measure 3 inches wide at the end of fretboard. The 19mm Smith 5-String measures 3.25 at the end of the fretboard.