solid's ply's and weather changes.

[Dave Irwin]

I'te been a long time since I've gigged on a ply and am wondering if they are as likely to change in germs of feel/action during a gig. I know they are more crack resistant but am interested in their stability in terms of action.
If it's a matter of the specific bass, I'd be interested in those with NS Cleveland's
Thx,
Dave

Thanks,
Dave

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Generally speaking anything made out of plywood will be more resistant to elements than the same item made out of solid piece of wood.

What makes it more pronounced in acoustic instruments is that usually one side of a (thin) shell is treated against the said elements and the other isn't.

Regards
Sam

[Hector Wolff]

If you are asking about the effect of weather on action - which is what I believe you indicated, then it is the bridge that has the most effect on action.

The bridge is solid wood on ply, hybrid and solid basses. More important the grain in bridges runs across the bridge from side to side roughly parallel to the top. Therefore since all wood shrinks and swells most across the grain, not along the grain - the height of the bridge above the top will vary greatly with the humidity.

As it swells the action gets higher and the strings go sharp, and obviously as it shrinks, the action gets lower and the strings go flat.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Hector Wolff

If you are asking about the effect of weather on action - which is what I believe you indicated, then it is the bridge that has the most effect on action.

Indeed, on a ply bass, changes in the bridge may account for the vast majority of any variations in string height with changes in temperature and humidity. On a carved bass, however, swelling and shrinking of the top will, I believe, account for the vast majority of any change in string height. Those changes will far exceed those experienced on a ply bass.

[powerbass]

the neck also moves with seasonal changes contributing to string height changes

[Dave Irwin]

Thanks for the feedback. I had been thinking of (and saving for) a carved bass, maybe carved NS or Upton to replace my Shen Willow but after being reminded of weather's effects, am thinking of a ply Cleveland for most pizz gigs and setting up the Shen for primarily arco.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by powerbass

the neck also moves with seasonal changes contributing to string height changes

I think any movement of the neck on a properly designed DB with thick ebony board is not a substantial contributing factor.

[iiipopes]

My ply CCB seems to be very stable, and I live in an area that goes from -10 in January to 100+ in July/August, with relative humidities from 25% to almost 100% on any given day depending on the weather. What Drurb said: good thick neck with a good thick ebony fingerboard goes a long way to secure stability.

[arnoldschnitzer]

Originally Posted by drurb

I think any movement of the neck on a properly designed DB with thick ebony board is not a substantial contributing factor.

You would think not, but actually neck movement is a contributing factor, but it is the heel, not the playing area of the neck that is the culprit. The entire neck heel is end grain, which is more permeable than face grain. When it soaks up or releases humidity from the air, the angle of the neck changes slightly.

[Dave Irwin]

Arnold, is it your view that a ply will not give a substantial advantage in terms of maintaining string height across environment changes?
i know I can use the adjusters but When I do it never feels quite right (or I'm just to worried about it)

thx,
Dave

Originally Posted by arnoldschnitzer

You would think not, but actually neck movement is a contributing factor, but it is the heel, not the playing area of the neck that is the culprit. The entire neck heel is end grain, which is more permeable than face grain. When it soaks up or releases humidity from the air, the angle of the neck changes slightly.

[arnoldschnitzer]

A ply top will move less than a carved top in general. Dave, time to embrace the height adjuster!

[Dave Irwin]

thanks Arnold and to everyone who responded. I'm sure I can find more rationalizations for a 2nd bass
meanwhile, I'll turn the little wheels on the bridge

Originally Posted by arnoldschnitzer

A ply top will move less than a carved top in general. Dave, time to embrace the height adjuster!

[drurb]

Originally Posted by arnoldschnitzer

You would think not, but actually neck movement is a contributing factor, but it is the heel, not the playing area of the neck that is the culprit. The entire neck heel is end grain, which is more permeable than face grain. When it soaks up or releases humidity from the air, the angle of the neck changes slightly.

Thanks for this response and for the information. I was really getting at the relative amounts of the contributing factors. So, on a carved bass, how much does variation in neck angle contribute to string height changes as compared to the movement of the carved top? My understanding is that the latter is a much bigger factor. Is that incorrect?

[D McCartney]

Originally Posted by Dave Irwin

Thanks for the feedback. I had been thinking of (and saving for) a carved bass, maybe carved NS or Upton to replace my Shen Willow but after being reminded of weather's effects, am thinking of a ply Cleveland for most pizz gigs and setting up the Shen for primarily arco.

Just for fun you might try pulling a bow across a ply NS before making the decision.