In the South and Midwest there have been some huge fluctuations since mid February. In February, it went from -2 F to nearly 70 in just a few days. In the last two weeks, we have gone from a last snowfall to 85.
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Green Wood: Time to Cut Bait!
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
In the South and Midwest there have been some huge fluctuations since mid February. In February, it went from -2 F to nearly 70 in just a few days. In the last two weeks, we have gone from a last snowfall to 85.
I'm not too far from ya. Extremely cold, dry, and snowy winter. I humidify a small room and my 5 gallon humidifier would only last 2-3 days when the heater was running non-stop.
The internet has been around for a while. Lots of discussions on the best bass for metal, but almost zero talk about proper guitar/bass care. Hell, I have purchased more gear than I care to admit and nobody has ever told me how to properly store them.
Really, it's just about temperature and humidity control. It's not that difficult once you get the hang of it.
I know this post is over a month old now, but what specific problems are you having with your Ray 5? You did mention warped necks on other instruments, but unless I skimmed past it, you didn't mention exactly what has gone wrong with your Ray 5.
I also presume that since a month has passed, you've already taken it for repair by now.
I am curious about this case because I own a Ray 4 that is over one year old now. Just before the pandemic began, I played it at an outdoor gig during which a cold front blew in and the temperature dropped from around 75f to around 40f. I had to retune frequently, but my instruments suffered no damage or noticeable change of action.
It's been to many outdoor group practices since then without issues, but I now wonder if the kind of issues your fiver has are right around the next corner for my Ray 4. Or maybe they are specific to the five-string model due to the increased tension on the neck and body.
So just curious. What specific issues, and did (or will) the luthier/technician do to remedy them?
I also presume that since a month has passed, you've already taken it for repair by now.
I am curious about this case because I own a Ray 4 that is over one year old now. Just before the pandemic began, I played it at an outdoor gig during which a cold front blew in and the temperature dropped from around 75f to around 40f. I had to retune frequently, but my instruments suffered no damage or noticeable change of action.
It's been to many outdoor group practices since then without issues, but I now wonder if the kind of issues your fiver has are right around the next corner for my Ray 4. Or maybe they are specific to the five-string model due to the increased tension on the neck and body.
So just curious. What specific issues, and did (or will) the luthier/technician do to remedy them?
The store straightened the neck out. This was me playing it at church this Sunday. It still has some frets that are uneven, but the congregation can’t hear it.
I must’ve purchased the one Ken Smith six that they accidentally dried for only 20 minutes! The neck was very unstable—unlike my L2k tribute’s neck, which has remained incredibly stable for about 15 years... and cost about 1/10th the price!
jdthebassman
play to live live to play
My advice is keep your basses in their cases when not in use I have had zero issues other than an occasional truss rod tweak.
My Pedulla lives outside the case as do my SBMM Ray 4 and my Fender Player Strat.
The only time any of them go into a case or bag is for transport to or from my house.
I’ve adjusted the Ray and the Strat Truss rods once. The Ray is about a year-and-a-half old, and the Strat a couple of months old.
I think I’ve had to adjust the truss rod on my ‘82 Pedulla two or maybe three times since about 1991.
I take them all to group practice weekly which has been outdoors since last spring. I’ve played one gig with them this year so far which was a warm and very humid evening.
The stability of the old Pedulla makes sense.
Maybe I just got lucky with my SBMM Ray 4 and got one with a good neck. Hmmm.
Still, the OP has me a little worried for the long-term dependability of my Ray4’s woodwork.
The only time any of them go into a case or bag is for transport to or from my house.
I’ve adjusted the Ray and the Strat Truss rods once. The Ray is about a year-and-a-half old, and the Strat a couple of months old.
I think I’ve had to adjust the truss rod on my ‘82 Pedulla two or maybe three times since about 1991.
I take them all to group practice weekly which has been outdoors since last spring. I’ve played one gig with them this year so far which was a warm and very humid evening.
The stability of the old Pedulla makes sense.
Maybe I just got lucky with my SBMM Ray 4 and got one with a good neck. Hmmm.
Still, the OP has me a little worried for the long-term dependability of my Ray4’s woodwork.
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