Ken's Corner (Bass Forums Sponsored By KSB)

Go Back   Ken's Corner (Bass Forums Sponsored By KSB) > Electric Basses > Woods, Electronics, & Components

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-11-2007, 10:29 PM
Tim Bishop's Avatar
Tim Bishop Tim Bishop is offline
Senior Posting Member
 
Join Date: 02-25-2007
Location: U.S.A.
Posts: 1,274
Tim Bishop is on a distinguished road
Cool Vintage Neck-thru's vs. Newer

How many out there would like to see the return of the Vintage Smith Neck-thru Necks (made between '87 and '97)) and why?

Last edited by Tim Bishop; 03-12-2007 at 06:53 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-11-2007, 10:30 PM
Tim Bishop's Avatar
Tim Bishop Tim Bishop is offline
Senior Posting Member
 
Join Date: 02-25-2007
Location: U.S.A.
Posts: 1,274
Tim Bishop is on a distinguished road
Cool Pre '97 Neck-thru's vs. the newer Necks...

Ken, a couple of questions to get started:

1. I'm curious why you discontinued or changed the design from the older Neck-thrus?

2. Would you consider re-introducing the older Neck-thru type Necks?

3. Would you do a special order utilizing the older Neck-thru type Neck?

Thanks,

Tim B.

Last edited by Tim Bishop; 03-12-2007 at 06:54 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-12-2007, 03:16 AM
Ken Smith's Avatar
Ken Smith Ken Smith is offline
Bassist, Luthier & Admin
 
Join Date: 01-18-2007
Location: Perkasie, PA
Posts: 4,851
Ken Smith is on a distinguished road
Lightbulb Pre '97s?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Bishop View Post
Ken, a couple of questions to get started:

1. I'm curious why you discontinued or changed the design from the Pre '97 Neck-thrus?

2. Would you consider re-introducing the Pre '97 Neck-thru type Necks?

3. Would you do a special order utilizing the Pre '97 Neck-thru type Neck?

Thanks,

Tim B.
Are you referring to the laminated Heel Cap?

If so, all the earlier basses we made in the beginning HAD that double laminated Heel Cap in case you didn't know it.

It would take some explaining but the current method allows us to choose which side of the Neck Billet gets the Fingerboard. With the other method, we could not for several reasons. Once they were cut out from the laminated Block the Head angle and Heel were already chosen. Cutting all this from a larger block all in one may seem easier but is not in my opinion the best method. This is why you find some Basses of the average company with severe forward Bows and some with Back Bows. When you cut the wood out, it springs a bit and this cannot be correct so easily. In the new method which is the original method used by us, we can choose which side is best for the Fingerboard. Also, the Block glued up is smaller in 2 of the 3 dimensions making it less prone to spring movement when we cut out the twin Billets intended from the block.

That's the short version.

Answer: No, we will not make it the other way anymore. This is for the better, trust me!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-12-2007, 09:35 AM
Tim Bishop's Avatar
Tim Bishop Tim Bishop is offline
Senior Posting Member
 
Join Date: 02-25-2007
Location: U.S.A.
Posts: 1,274
Tim Bishop is on a distinguished road
Cool Prior Neck-thru Design.....

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken Smith View Post
Are you referring to the laminated Heel Cap?
Thanks Ken,

I'm sorry I wasn't more clear, however.....

I have attached a photo of one of my basses with the prior Neck-thru design that I am referring to. Does this help? While I'm not certain, I don't think this is what you are talking about in your response to me, is it? If not, could you apply my questions using the attached photo? Thanks in advance, I hope the attached photo helps.

I'm not sure when you began designing the Necks this way (like the attached photo), but the ones I attempted to refer to, I think, are from the early to mid 90's?

Also, please let me know how you would ID this type of Neck-thru (as shown in the attached photo) vs. the New and I will correct my Thread accordingly. Since I didn't explain it well, I'm sure usnig "heel-less" and "Pre '97" will be confusing.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	DSC07493.JPG
Views:	672
Size:	832.3 KB
ID:	131  
__________________
Tim Bishop


Last edited by Tim Bishop; 03-12-2007 at 10:04 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-12-2007, 10:00 AM
Ken Smith's Avatar
Ken Smith Ken Smith is offline
Bassist, Luthier & Admin
 
Join Date: 01-18-2007
Location: Perkasie, PA
Posts: 4,851
Ken Smith is on a distinguished road
Lightbulb Type of NT

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Bishop View Post
Thanks Ken,

I have attached a photo of one of my basses with the prior Neck-thru design that I am talking about. Does this help? While I'm not certain, I don't think this is what you are talking about in your response to me, is it? If not, could you apply my questions using the attached photo? Thanks in advance, I hope the attached photo helps.

Also, let me know how you would ID this type of Neck-thru (as shown in the attached photo) vs. the New and I will correct my Thread accordingly. Since I probably didn't explain it well, I have a feeling me saying "heel-less" will be confusing. I'm not sure when you began designing the Necks this way (like the attached photo), but the ones I attempted to refer to are from the early to mid 90's.
Yours is the '87-'97 NT design which I referred to as not the way we make them now as we did from '79-'85 and since '96/'97(mixed) and currently.

I understood you 100% what you were referring to so read again what I described. If you like, call me and i will explain it to you. Then YOU can attempt to write the 'book' on my explanation which I don't have the typing fingers (mental effort actually..lol) to attempt..
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-12-2007, 10:19 AM
Tim Bishop's Avatar
Tim Bishop Tim Bishop is offline
Senior Posting Member
 
Join Date: 02-25-2007
Location: U.S.A.
Posts: 1,274
Tim Bishop is on a distinguished road
Cool NT Designed Necks '87 - '96/'97

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken Smith View Post
Yours is the '87-'97 NT design which I referred to as not the way we make them now as we did from '79-'85 and since '96/'97(mixed) and currently.

I understood you 100% what you were referring to so read again what I described. If you like, call me and i will explain it to you. Then YOU can attempt to write the 'book' on my explanation which I don't have the typing fingers (mental effort actually..lol) to attempt..
Thanks Ken, I wouldn't even think about trying to "write the book" on something as complex as this, however, I may give you a call and have you explain away.
__________________
Tim Bishop

Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:35 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 2007 - Ken Smith Basses, LTD. (All Rights Reserved)