Neck Help

[Underdog]

I just need a quick clarifacation.

The strings on a bass should be equidistant all the way down the neck, right?

[aquateen]

actually, necks are a little narrower at the nut and get slightly wider at the end of the fingerboard, if that's what you're asking, but spacing between the strings should be uniform. in other words, the spacing between the E and A should be the same as the spacing between the D and G. does that make sense?

[Kosko]

Well it really depends on which direction your talking, but most generally, no, and not only no, but not at all.

Like string spacing, usually the nut is much skinnier than the bridge. So the strings get "wider" the further back you go.

As far as scale (the actual distance of the string itself), you can get whatever scale you want. Including a changing scale bass, like a Dingwall. The whole fanned fret deal. Never played one put it looks pretty cool.

Theres also action, which changes up and down the neck.

So short answer, relative to eachother, there is no equidistance (is that a word?) between strings.

As a sidenote, I've always thought Alembics looked like they had an even spacing all the way down on a tiny neck (placed into a nice big body). Compared to a Conklin or something. Just some thoughts.

[Underdog]

Gah. Poorly asked. Kinda rushed here.

Equidistant, i.e. verticle movement. So Action i suppose.

I got my bass back from the luthier and i can fit a q-tip under my 12th fret on my bass but it is super-close at the 5th. There is a visible bend in my neck, also.

[Kosko]

Yep, truss rod stuff, thats fine. If you like how it plays then its perfectly fine.

[Underdog]

Nope. I hate it. It seems like the neck shouldn't be BENDING

[didier]

Originally Posted by Underdog

Gah. Poorly asked. Kinda rushed here.

Equidistant, i.e. verticle movement. So Action i suppose.

I got my bass back from the luthier and i can fit a q-tip under my 12th fret on my bass but it is super-close at the 5th. There is a visible bend in my neck, also.

there is usually a slight increase in the distance between the string and the frets as you move from the nut towards the bridge. This allows the strings to vibrate without buzzing the frets.

A bend in the neck is ok, it is called "relief," but it's not usually obvious or visible unless you are looing very carefully.

Take a look in the setup & repair forum, esp at the "all trussrod & action" sticky and the Gary Willis site. That will give you any idea about how this all works, and some rough measurement ideas.

The main issue is, of course, how does the bass play for you?

[Kosko]

honestly if it just came back from the luthier I would take it back to him, say "sorry, i dont like my setup, i'd like the lowest action possible". it should be a job he could do there and for free.