Tinmo
Joined:
19 Nov 2010
Posts: 2
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 Posted: 11/19/2010 at 8:34 AM Post subject: Temperature, tuning and necks |
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Since the guitar necks don't have truss rods, how well they stay in tune when temperature changes? I mean really cold winter, hot car, hot stage... things like that, how does it affects to playability?
Is there any (other) major problems with the fact that you can not adjust the neck?
You'd think that metal necks can take some serious hits without serious damage, is that really so?
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admin
Joined:
01 Jun 2001
Posts: 1266
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| Posted: 11/19/2010 at 9:17 AM Post subject: RE:Temperature, tuning and necks |
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Hello Tinmo
Thanks for your question. The Bean does go out of tune with temperature changes.. just like wood necks. Being from Montana, I'm very well aware of cold cars and hot stages. For years I played a Les Paul and fought the same problems. I never once adjusted the truss rod before my set to correct it (so the truss rod in my opinion for this problem is not really a solution). The solution with the Paul.. just like for the Bean, is to think ahead and make sure the guitar isn't freezing before playing. Somtimes that's unavoidable and you'll have to fight the tuning issue for a while.
Recently I just played a show in a skate park and the band had to keep the gear outside during the demo, and it was cold (right above freezing). Everyone was struggling with tuning on the first few songs, and we were all fine after that. I was the only one with a aluminum neck (the rest was playing a Gibson SG and Fender P-Bass). I don't think it's any better or worse than the wood necks I've played before... but, I've never had to fight the truss rod for setting up the action, or deal with warp.. that's a plus.. and a plus.
I have a polished neck, and that guy feels really cold.. when it's cold. I don't really care though and I usually can warm it up pretty fast with my hand. If that's an issue you might want a painted imron coated neck. That is better.. but still feels cold.
Since you cannot adjust the neck relief, it's all dependent on setting up the nut height and saddle heights to deal with action. There is a small amount of relief (also with string tension), but if you wanted super low action, you might experience fret buzz.
I do feel like the necks can take a beating. Look at some of the musicians that take their Beans on the road.... for years. You never see one with a broken neck or headstock falling off. There is one story of the body breaking on the road.. but the neck held up fine :)
But to me, it's about the tone. Not about the durability, sensitivity to cold. How that aluminum neck and pickups react with each other gives that Bean sound... that is what it's all about.
Thanks!
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Tinmo
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19 Nov 2010
Posts: 2
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| Posted: 11/19/2010 at 10:33 AM Post subject: RE:Temperature, tuning and necks |
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I couldn't ask for a better answer, thank you.
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SamBean
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15 Jan 2010
Posts: 12
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| Posted: 11/24/2010 at 12:44 AM Post subject: RE:Temperature, tuning and necks |
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I used to joke in the 80's that you could bounce dudes back in to the audience with your Bean and keep on playing but I never had to. I did hurt myself once though kind of raising the guitar away from my body and when it came back the mass was enough for the lower bout to give me quite a ball tap so to speak.
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markaland
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22 Dec 2004
Posts: 4
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| Posted: 12/04/2010 at 9:32 AM Post subject: RE:Temperature, tuning and necks |
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I've heard people claim that Bean's have maore temperature related tuning problems than other guitars but I can honestly say that I have never experienced this and I live in Michigan where the weather changes by the hour. All guitars need retuning when temp's change.
I think the advantage of the Bean is that there is no truss rod. Why is there no truss rod? Because the neck doesn't bow like wood necks when the temp and humidity levels change. I have a couple wood necks that I regularly have to adjust because they're tempermental to weather conditions. I've always considered the Bean to be a low mainainence guitar because the neck is so stable. My Bean is capable of extremely low action with zero buzzing.
The downside of a bare metal neck in a cold weather state is that the neck can get cold and feel unconfortable. Years ago a friend of mine told me to carry a blow dryer with me and to heat up the neck before playing and it worked like a charm. I especially liked it for outdoor gigs on cold days.
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peggyfoster
Joined:
20 Jun 2008
Posts: 83
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| Posted: 12/07/2010 at 10:49 PM Post subject: RE:Temperature, tuning and necks |
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Marc and Travis told me that they took one of their first aluminum necks out into the driveway and ran over it with a car - just to see if it could take it - it went right back to it's shape.
I have never heard of a Travis Bean neck bowing - not even after 35 years of constant string tension. Have any of you? I have never noticed that my aluminum necks were cooler than my wood neck instruments. I have heard of a few guitarists complaining about it, but it doesn't bother me.
Peggy
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shinkiro
Joined:
17 Oct 2008
Posts: 24
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| Posted: 12/08/2010 at 3:23 AM Post subject: RE:Temperature, tuning and necks |
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Its very cold in England at the moment (not like Canada cold) and I am finding this to be a bit of an issue. Then again I am just a whiny limey.
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