Question Neck Movement?

[madbassplaya]

I'm looking into buying a new bass and am really looking at getting a Stingray 5. I had two for a short period and I remember them really fitting me well as far as ergonomics, balance, and feel and I am seriously considering buying a new one (I've never owned a new EBMM). I want a workhorse bass that I can play for the rest of my life and will never let me down.

I hear horror stories about MM necks moving because they are 1 piece and have an oil finish on them. Do you guys find this true at all? I live in Louisiana so humidity is a factor.

Thanks guys!

 

[MrMusashi]

dont believe everything you hear

the necks are stable, but will as all wood react to differences in moisture and temperature. the good thing about it is that the truss wheel makes it easy to do adjustments.

normally i have to adjust my necks twice a year: when spring turns to summer and autumn turns to winter
mind you the temperature difference here can swing 70 degrees celsius from hottest to coldest so i think its fair that the wood gets to react a bit to that

i once had a fender jazz and the neck was so sensitive to even the smallest variations i had to put the tbar wrench to adjust the neck into my backpocket.
enter the rehearsal room and it needed adjustment.. turn on the stage lights and it needed adjustment again..
i sold it and used the money to buy my first eb instead!

no metal objects in my back pocket now

MrM

 

[rutgart]

I've travelled the world with EBMM Basses for 20+ years and sure the necks move from one climate to the next but it an easy fix with the trussrod wheel as Mr Musashi states above.

Have you tried the Classic SR5 or thought about one of the PDN Gilded SR5 Basses? With their finished necks they would be a little less prone to movement ......... I think? I have owned a CL SR5 for nearly a year now and travelled it a couple of time and can't remember having to adjust the neck yet.

 

[madbassplaya]

You guys are right. MM's are played all over the world in many different types of climates and they do fine. I'm just a worrier sometimes.

 

[Freddels]

They're just as stable as any other brand. I usually adjust slightly my EBMM and non EBMM basses twice a year due to weather changes (dry in winter and very humid in the summer).

 

[OldManMusic]

If you're really worried about neck movement, looks like Bass Central has an SR5 HS with a roasted neck. My roasty Bongo hasn't needed a neck adjustment yet through a very wet spring and a very dry summer here a mile above sea level in Colorado. But my last SR5 didn't need much tweaking either. They are solid. Period.

 

[madbassplaya]

They're just as stable as any other brand.

They are solid. Period.

Thanks for the reminder fellows. You'll be seeing a new thread with the purchase that I made going up very soon.

 

[laneline]

I agree with all the above and also highly recommend a Roasted neck which are still available. I'm in North Jersey and have had my Bongo since February with no issues. But I wouldn't worry about any MM model. If you haven't watched the factory tour video check this out and specifically at 8:47 into it, How To Build Ernie Ball Music Man Guitars & Basses - YouTube
which I think should clear up any of your concerns.
Like Old Man Music above say's " They are solid. Period"

 

[Musicman Nut]

I'm looking into buying a new bass and am really looking at getting a Stingray 5. I had two for a short period and I remember them really fitting me well as far as ergonomics, balance, and feel and I am seriously considering buying a new one (I've never owned a new EBMM). I want a workhorse bass that I can play for the rest of my life and will never let me down.

I hear horror stories about MM necks moving because they are 1 piece and have an oil finish on them. Do you guys find this true at all? I live in Louisiana so humidity is a factor.

Thanks guys!

Well that's a crock, they move as much as any other neck according to weather, but trust me you'll be fine.

 

[kylierider]

Well that's a crock, they move as much as any other neck according to weather, but trust me you'll be fine.

I agree.. Not sure what they are saying over at the other bass channels but Music Man necks are the same as any other neck EXCEPT MM bass necks have the best designed truss rod system ever.

Now there are folks who might say that different wood acts differently. My 92 SR oiled birdseye maple neck seems to need a little more abjustment than my 30th SR. I believe that maybe what ever clear they put on the 30th neck makes it more stable?

I have heard threw other luthier types who say some woods are just more stable than others or clearing a neck makes it more stable than just using oil. It's all opinion really.

I've toured around with mine and never had a problem. The neck will change like anything else when the climate changes. But thats what make the truss wheel so great.

Go for it..You will be glad you did