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NBD: Ken Smith content

#41
vaxdol said:
So how did it go ?

Best,
Click to expand...

I can't believe I forgot to update this! My apologies!

The bass was a 2006, so not exactly new. Also, I thought I had been able to straighten the neck but no matter how much I tightened the rod, it would bow forward again. This messed up the entire playability. So I sent it to Ken Smith.

One of Ken Smith's tech named Alan removed the maxed-out truss rod and installed a new one. But he ended up maxing out the new rod because of the real issue: a permanently forward-bowed neck. He went on to explain that this is what happens when you keep the bass under full string tension over time without adjusting the neck. Thus he told me that I had inherited someone's else's problem and that there was not much that could be done other than a steam treatment and using very light gauge strings with the hopes that the neck would correct itself over time due to low tension. But he said that it was not a sure thing.

So I said, "Thanks for trying!" and I had them send the bass directly to the seller from whom I purchased it. The seller then refunded me the rest of the money. It all worked out in the end because I learned a very valuable lesson about neck tension and I also got a full refund. No harm, no foul.

A few months later I found a 2015 Black Tiger Vintage NT 6-string in like-new condition with zero issues. I took it home and have been in Ken Smith heaven since! I finally found what I was looking for and waiting for all these years!
 
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#43
bongostealth said:
One of Ken Smith's tech named Alan removed the maxed-out truss rod and installed a new one. But he ended up maxing out the new rod because of the real issue: a permanently forward-bowed neck. He went on to explain that this is what happens when you leave the bass in full tension over time without adjusting the neck.
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Not sure I understand. Wouldn`t an overtightened truss rod result in a back bow?

I've been a Smith owner for 10 years now (bought it new). No neck issues and it's a keeper!

Congrats on your new bass. Let`s see some pics! :hyper:
 
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#44
Bass Viking said:
Not sure I understand. Wouldn`t an overtightened truss rod result in a back bow?
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Yes. That is correct. However, what happened in this case is that since the truss rod was never adjusted, the neck gradually bowed forward over time as a result of the constant pull from fully tuned strings, as well as changes in humidity. Therefore, the combination of the constant string-pull along with a gradual forward bow, resulted in the neck developing a permanent forward bow, not unlike developing a hunchback as a result of neglecting to straighten your back.

This is why I now avoid all-steel strings, I tune down a whole step, regularly check the straightness of the neck, and completely loosen the strings if a bass is going to sit unplayed for days at a time. Some believe this is all unnecessary but I would rather take extra precautions. Frets, pickups, and preamps can be replaced, but neck issues are much more delicate matters.
 
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#45
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#47
bongostealth said:
Yes. That is correct. However, what happened in this case is that since the truss rod was never adjusted, the neck gradually bowed forward over time as a result of the constant pull from fully tuned strings, as well as changes in humidity. Therefore, the combination of the constant string-pull along with a gradual forward bow, resulted in the neck developing a permanent forward bow, not unlike developing a hunchback as a result of neglecting to straighten your back.

This is why I now avoid all-steel strings, I tune down a whole step, regularly check the straightness of the neck, and completely loosen the strings if a bass is going to sit unplayed for days at a time. Some believe this is all unnecessary but I would rather take extra precautions. Frets, pickups, and preamps can be replaced, but neck issues are much more delicate matters.
Click to expand...

If you are leaving the bass without strings for more than a week, you may want to loosen the truss rod. I don't know if it actually happens or not but I have always been told you will warp your neck if you leave the truss under tension with no strings attached. This is why manufacturers ship basses with the strings on and at tension.
 
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#48
bongostealth said:
Yes. That is correct. However, what happened in this case is that since the truss rod was never adjusted, the neck gradually bowed forward over time as a result of the constant pull from fully tuned strings, as well as changes in humidity. Therefore, the combination of the constant string-pull along with a gradual forward bow, resulted in the neck developing a permanent forward bow, not unlike developing a hunchback as a result of neglecting to straighten your back.

This is why I now avoid all-steel strings, I tune down a whole step, regularly check the straightness of the neck, and completely loosen the strings if a bass is going to sit unplayed for days at a time. Some believe this is all unnecessary but I would rather take extra precautions. Frets, pickups, and preamps can be replaced, but neck issues are much more delicate matters.
Click to expand...
Gotcha. When you said full tension I was thinking truss rod tension, not string tension.

Great looking bass! I don`t think you need to take all those precautions though. What does Smith recommend? My 10 year old Ken Smith has steel strings and it sometimes goes weeks without being played. I haven`t noticed any neck problems.
 
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#49
DiabolusInMusic said:
If you are leaving the bass without strings for more than a week, you may want to loosen the truss rod. I don't know if it actually happens or not but I have always been told you will warp your neck if you leave the truss under tension with no strings attached. This is why manufacturers ship basses with the strings on and at tension.
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I have heard this too. I didn't think to ask Ken Smith. I think I should though.
 
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#50
Bass Viking said:
Gotcha. When you said full tension I was thinking truss rod tension, not string tension.

Great looking bass! I don`t think you need to take all those precautions though. What does Smith recommend? My 10 year old Ken Smith has steel strings and it sometimes goes weeks without being played. I haven`t noticed any neck problems.
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Yeah, it was my poor choice of words. My apologies. I didn't think to ask Ken Smith as far as what to do when leaving the bass unplayed for a while. I will ask them.
 
#51
DiabolusInMusic said:
If you are leaving the bass without strings for more than a week, you may want to loosen the truss rod. I don't know if it actually happens or not but I have always been told you will warp your neck if you leave the truss under tension with no strings attached. This is why manufacturers ship basses with the strings on and at tension.
Click to expand...

I have heard that too. I have a spare neck lying around and I made sure the truss rod is loosened.
 
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#55
bongostealth said:
Yes. That is correct. However, what happened in this case is that since the truss rod was never adjusted, the neck gradually bowed forward over time as a result of the constant pull from fully tuned strings, as well as changes in humidity. Therefore, the combination of the constant string-pull along with a gradual forward bow, resulted in the neck developing a permanent forward bow, not unlike developing a hunchback as a result of neglecting to straighten your back.

This is why I now avoid all-steel strings, I tune down a whole step, regularly check the straightness of the neck, and completely loosen the strings if a bass is going to sit unplayed for days at a time. Some believe this is all unnecessary but I would rather take extra precautions. Frets, pickups, and preamps can be replaced, but neck issues are much more delicate matters.
Click to expand...

I see what you are talking about now. I was thinking my Smith has strings tuned all the time and has for years and there is no problem, but of course I keep the truss rod adjusted to maintain the neck straight while it sits. I do however have a 60's Vintage Welson I restored (mostly a wall-hanging decorator item, but I did want it to be able to play) with the famous forward bend. Eventually I had to give it the steam treatment to get it bent back. Even so if you leave it under tension for a while the neck wants to go back to it's bent state. So basically I have to leave it detuned in its wall-hanging state. Works out fine for the occasional jam or gig where you want to show some class with an old vintage bass for a number or two. A Smith with that problem that you wanted to play all the time would be a much more serious thing to deal with.
 
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