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How much difference does a laminated neck make?

milkman-27

milkman-27

Jul 4, 2009
320
22
#1
I am thinking of getting a six string bass and between the two that I want there is about $130 dollars difference. I really like the cheaper of the two but it has a one piece bolt on maple neck and the more expensive has a 5 piece laminated through body neck. So is there enough of a difference to justify the extra $. I have never owned a six before and I am concerned about neck stability.
 
#3
Neck stability shouldn't be a significant issue either way unless the bass is poorly made / assembled.
The supposed difference is in sound - bolt-ons are said to have a clearer attack, neck-through are said to have more sustain. I'm not sure this is actually true, though - I have yet to hear any real evidence about this issue, though if someone knows of a legit scientific study, I'd love to see the reference.
Also, depending on the build, neck-through might give you easier access to the upper frets.
Mostly, I wouldn't worry about it - get the bass you want.
 
#4
A laminated neck *should* be more stable, but if you don't pay attention to the grain direction, it may have been a waste of time.

As long as the builder isn't a total n00b and uses dual truss rods (as is common for 6+ strings), you should be fine with either option. Get the one you want.

FWIW, I prefer neck-thru basses because they tend to balance better with the heavy woods protruding all the way through the body.
 
#5
kreider204 said:
The supposed difference is in sound - bolt-ons are said to have a clearer attack, neck-through are said to have more sustain. I'm not sure this is actually true, though - I have yet to hear any real evidence about this issue, though if someone knows of a legit scientific study, I'd love to see the reference.
Also, depending on the build, neck-through might give you easier access to the upper frets.
Mostly, I wouldn't worry about it - get the bass you want.
Click to expand...

I think the OP is actually talking about 2 separate issues:

1) Neck through
2) Laminated necks

The neck through will affect sound and sustain/decay to a certain extent (could be somewhat noticeable to possibly negligible since there are so many other factors...) but a laminated neck as far as I know will only help with stability.
 
#7
kreider204 said:
Neck stability shouldn't be a significant issue either way unless the bass is poorly made / assembled.
Click to expand...


As stated by Funkmetal
Not necessarily, IMO, IME. When it comes to stability, for a one piece neck: The wood quality will have alot to do with it. How straight the grain is, would be a factor, whether it's found to have any knots in it :eek:, then again it can also depend on the species used. Twisting can be the common enemy of a one piece neck, OTOH a laminated neck of 3 pieces (or perhaps 2, with G&L) or more can have the grain orientation in opposite directions, to combat this movement, or at least it's my take, I could be wrong. YMMV.
 
#8
The neck on the Kubickis I've owned have been about as stable as graphite. Another nice feature, is making adjustments on the truss rods is easier because the neck reacts instantly to the adjustments.
 
#9
Rickett Customs said:
As stated by Funkmetal
Not necessarily, IMO, IME. When it comes to stability, for a one piece neck: The wood quality will have alot to do with it. How straight the grain is, would be a factor, whether it's found to have any knots in it :eek:, then again it can also depend on the species used. Twisting can be the common enemy of a one piece neck, OTOH a laminated neck of 3 pieces (or perhaps 2, with G&L) or more can have the grain orientation in opposite directions, to combat this movement, or at least it's my take, I could be wrong. YMMV.
Click to expand...


Your post confuses me. Are you responding to me or to the post you quoted?

And if to me, are you disagreeing with what I said? Cuz I can take you, n00b!!!1!! ;)
 
#11
FunkMetalBass said:
Your post confuses me. Are you responding to me or to the post you quoted?

And if to me, are you disagreeing with what I said? Cuz I can take you, n00b!!!1!! ;)
Click to expand...

I was commenting on kreider's post and agreeing with you at the same time.

Now back to your corner champ.................j/k ;)
 
#12
Yes, 3 and five peice necks are stronger then single peice and also less prone to twisting. Excellent example of weak neck caused by one peice is carvin five string bass I had yrs ago. Its neck could not be adjusted for near dead flat. Neck was too weak to do it. Truss rod would have gotten stripped if had tried. Yup Ive read many reviews noting this same problem with their one peice necks for 5 and 6 string basses. And lotsa reviews since which also stated truss rod adjustments where problematic due to the weakness of their 1 peice necks. I wont own any bass that isnt 3 or 5 peice neck anymore except for BC Rich. Their the own mfg whose one peice necks when they use such have proven well enough made for me structurally. I'm sure there are boutique level guitars that use 1 peice necks with no problem. But the cost of those for the needed extra care in mfg is a bit high imo. Compared to the tons of very solid no problem 3 and 5 peice necks getable in the $700 and under range. And even $400 and under range.
 

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