I noticed that the New Standard laminate basses now have laminate ribs, whereas before, the ribs were solid. The website indicates that the change was in response to requests. I have not heard of anyone having trouble with the solid ribs. Is this something to be careful of more than usual?
Just took a spin through the site and did not see that notice. Where is it?
I can't imagine solid being a factor unless you plan on standing on the ribs a lot. Maybe Arnold & Will are going after the phsyco-billy bass market?
Our ribs are solid, and I know of only ONE bass that has had problems, and it lives here http://www.sickabilly.com/welcome.cfm, so I know exactly why it has suffered!
We've only changed over the Cleveland with laminated top to laminated ribs. This was because of many requests from heavy giggers and travelers. The earlier, solid rib models could develop rib cracks if mistreated. However, they were made with cross-grained crack-stopper strips which should prevent minor cracks from spreading. Hmmm, "cross-grained crack-stopper strips"; say that ten times fast.
I had a roughly 2 1-1/2" crack in the left lower (solid) rib of my otherwise laminated Cleveland. I'm pretty careful but it's my only DB and when I'm busy with gigs/rehearsals it can get tossed around a little.
I called my repairman (the talented Jeff Sahs of Sacramento) and told him about the crack. He said "That doesn't sound right...cracks in solid ribs are usually much longer, easily 8-12" or more."
I took it in for a checkup and when Jeff looked inside he chuckled when he saw the "cross-grained crack-stopper strips." He commended them as proof of intelligent design in the evolution of the bass, and rendered his expert opinion that the strips definitely prevented the crack from spreading any further. He also liked the quality of the fingerboard, the orientation of the grain in the neck, and the overall price/performance/ratio of the bass.
Jeff popped the seams of the crack together through the f-hole and applied hide glue. I'm always impressed by expert craftsmen and people like dentists who can manipulate gnarly tools in small spaces with the utmost confidence while carrying on a conversation and singing along with Aerosmith tunes on the radio. Took $30 and in less than an hour and I was on my way.
Arnold--do you notice much difference in the sound of solid vs. ply ribs on the laminated Cleveland?
Thanks all for the info.
Eric, I don't plan on standing on my bass at all, ever. That is interesting that you use the solid ribs as well. Do you have CGCS strips too?
Arnold, I don't know what the difference in sound is between the laminate and CGCSS solid ribs is, but I am quite happy with what I have. Thanks.
That's Providence's own Johnny Custom!
