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Originally Posted by Lo end PUNCH This has me kinda worried, I just put together specs for a Mark King 6 string from Status. I am spending quite a bit of cash. did you contact status regarding this? If so, what was their response? I feel a nightmare coming on.  |
I know this thread is 2 months old but I just chanced upon this and felt I had to add my 2 cents since I once was a graphite nut (as in fanatic) and can offer some advice, learned from costly experience. But my problem is associated with a convex (high action) as opposed to halfman's problem...
I was once (abt 3 years ago) so sold on the no-deadspot, super-stable-neck-that requires-no-adjustment-forever hype that at one time, i had:
- 1 x Zon Sonus 5 standard
- 1 x Zon Sonus 5 standard fretless
- 1 x Zon Sonus 5 custom
- 1 x Zon Sonus 6 standard (with Adjustable truss rod)
- 1 x Zon Sonus 5/1
- 1 x Zon Legacy Elite 4
- 2 x Steinberger XP
- 2 x Steinberger XM
- 1 x Steinberger XL
- 1 x Status S1 Deluxe 6 string (with Adjustable truss rod)
- 1 x Modulus Graphite Quantum 5 (with Adjustable truss rod)
Ok, so the point is that I was really into graphite necks. As far as I know, there were only 3 makes that escaped my graphite quest : Gould, moses and German maker Schack.
My overall experience have shown me that graphite neck are not as stable as the brochure says it is, especially over an extended period of time e.g. more than 5 years (by which most warranty would have been over).
Out of the 5 Steinbergers I bought used, 4 of them had higher than acceptable action i.e. higher than 3mm space in the middle of the neck when string is fretted on the 1st & last fret. Which is why I kept only the Stein XP2
I bought my 1st Zon new and after 5 years or so of constant tension, the neck become upbowed permanently, resulting in a high action. Zon's service was great the 1st time because they took back the neck and replaned the fingerboard. They said the neck might have shifted. I was to pay for shipping both ways and was happy with that.
After that, I bought a used Sonus 5/1 (for $900) that already had a backbow. This time, Zon suggested that they install a truss rod in the neck but required about $500 in repair cost. To me,it didn't seem right because I bought a graphite bass advertised as "will never warp". Even though I bought it used, I paid a premium over a wooden-necked instrument for the "never warp" promise.
To cut the long story short, I sold the Sonus 5/1 at a $500 loss and subsequently cleared all my graphite basses, that does not come with a truss rod. Even my 2001 Sonus fretless, which I regard as the BEST FRETLESS in the world, was showing slight signs of graphite fatigue. The Status & Modulus graphite was the most stable of the lot.I don't expect any issues from them but I just didn't want to take any more chances.
Don't get me wrong, the clarity in tone & the feel in these Zon's, Status's, Modulus, Stein, Moses are to die for. But if you play fretless or slap with a low action, you should look for a graphite neck that has an adjustable truss rod. I hear that Zon's from 2005 comes with a truss rod. That should be safe.
If you already own a graphite neck without an adjustable truss rod, my suggestion is to loosen the strings occasionally or whenever you're not playing it for a long time.
I know I'm not alone in these graphite experiences. A few other graphite owners also faced a permanently bowed neck after years of usage.
I still have one bass which I love too much to sell. But it has a permanent back bow. So with the strings removed, I applied "opposing" tension with some bars & clamp. I'm hoping if I keep the tension on for 1 year or so, the neck might just be straightened over time.
So suggestions to the original post would be:
- Put some shims in the neck pocket to tilt the neck forward
- Send the neck to a pro for a fingerboard replane
- Use super heavy gauge strings
As far as I know, graphite has no moisture aborption/dispersion capability. But then again, it's supposed to be warp free too.
Good luck.
