Sambrook Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 I've noticed many set neck basses have tone blocks. Is this just a decorative contrast, or is there some deeper, more sinister reason? I know you'll know....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 (edited) I'm not even sure what a tone block is, let alone what it does Edited June 10, 2015 by CamdenRob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlungerModerno Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 (edited) Well as it has the word "tone" in it it's probably marketing. Could be some truth to it but I'd take what the maker says with a pinch of salt. Or a 25kg bag. Now a tone control (potentiometer with a capacitor or the like) is more reasonable & demonstrable. EDIT: after a quick search I came up with two things - a wooden instrument: And a bunch of aftermarket parts I find rather hard to take seriously: [url="http://www.floydrose.com/catalog/upgrades/sustain-blocks/stone-tone-sustain-block"]http://www.floydrose.com/catalog/upgrades/sustain-blocks/stone-tone-sustain-block[/url] I did find this [url="http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2015/03/21/gear-review-accuracy-basses-matisse-deluxe-5-string/"]http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2015/03/21/gear-review-accuracy-basses-matisse-deluxe-5-string/[/url] Which is more in line with the question posed in the first post. I don't doubt an acoustic instrument can be influenced by choice of wood (especially when it comes to the soundboard, bracing etc.). Hard to see how species of wood can do much, given the variability within each tree and between regions (two "sibling" trees on different sides of a hill can grow very differently depending on wind, moisture, soil, sunlight and other living things). From my understanding of how most neck joints work - in order to provide decent sustain for the stings it must be fairly rigid. If the bass body wood is very soft or flexible - a "tone" block of a more solid wood may provide a much better body+neck joint. For solid body instruments the focus should be (IMO) on durability, ergonomics, and stability. "Tone" is so subjective anyway - a good feeling bass with no dead spots and great electronics will rock no matter what it's made out of. Edited June 10, 2015 by PlungerModerno Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBus Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 [quote name='Sambrook' timestamp='1433950737' post='2795377'] I've noticed many set neck basses have tone blocks. Is this just a decorative contrast, or is there some deeper, more sinister reason? I know you'll know....... [/quote] Proverbial can of worms! Wood doesn't affect the tone Oh yes it does. Oh no it doesn't Oh yes it does Oh no...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 The tone that you thought you'd get from the bass is blocked. I've had a few late 70's Ibanez guitars over the years, and they had a "tone block". It was basically a lump of metal in a cavity under the bridge in the hope that it would help/enhance the sustain/tone from the guitar. Does it work? Dunno is the honest answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nugget Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 [url="http://s1216.photobucket.com/user/firecreekCustom/media/DSCN1124_zps0fbf60fd.jpg.html"][/url] You mean the piece of maple between the neck and body? what does it do..... makes it look pretty........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceBass3901 Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 I think I am right in saying that the idea is to attach the bridge to a section of the instrument which is made from a different material, usually to increase sustain or change the tone (supposedly). Alembic did this quite a lot by having a brass 'tone block' under the bridge, others have used Ash, Alder or Mahogany. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlungerModerno Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 [quote name='Skybone' timestamp='1433952597' post='2795400'] The tone that you thought you'd get from the bass is blocked. I've had a few late 70's Ibanez guitars over the years, and they had a "tone block". It was basically a lump of metal in a cavity under the bridge in the hope that it would help/enhance the sustain/tone from the guitar. Does it work? Dunno is the honest answer. [/quote] [quote name='BruceBass3901' timestamp='1433953296' post='2795415'] I think I am right in saying that the idea is to attach the bridge to a section of the instrument which is made from a different material, usually to increase sustain or change the tone (supposedly). Alembic did this quite a lot by having a brass 'tone block' under the bridge, others have used Ash, Alder or Mahogany. [/quote] I think it's the same name, but a different idea. See my post with the link to the floyd rose website and granite blocks for bridges! [quote name='nugget' timestamp='1433952675' post='2795403'] [url="http://s1216.photobucket.com/user/firecreekCustom/media/DSCN1124_zps0fbf60fd.jpg.html"][/url] You mean the piece of maple between the neck and body? what does it do..... makes it look pretty........ [/quote] That does look pretty. It also could (depending on the construction) save a lot of wood by allowing flatter neck blanks! [quote name='BassBus' timestamp='1433952444' post='2795397'] Proverbial can of worms! Wood doesn't affect the tone Oh yes it does. Oh no it doesn't Oh yes it does Oh no...... [/quote] And that's before the discussions about "psycho-acuostics" and "human hearing ability" come into it. What is clear is even if concrete proof that wood and tone, or wood species and tone aren't linked - people will still argue about it. If it was proven the other way (that wood & tone are linked or that wood species and tone are linked) I'd like to think I could accept it . . . but we'll have to wait for that day to come. It's still up for discussion. True or False! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 Is a tone bock the same as a tone plate? The Gibson Les Paul Money bass had a walnut tone plate: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 [quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1433954462' post='2795438'] Is a tone bock the same as a tone plate? The Gibson Les Paul Money bass had a walnut tone plate: [/quote] My understanding is that it's the thick central block that runs from neck socket to bridge. It seems to be common with semi-hollow bodied basses. I suppose they need somewhere sturdy to fix the neck and bridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 [quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1433954462' post='2795438'] Is a tone bock the same as a tone plate? The Gibson Les Paul Money bass had a walnut tone plate: [/quote] As does the later model Les Paul Double Cut: What's that? There's one for sale in the forum? Well, I'll be damned! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musashimonkey Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 (edited) https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=fodera+tone+block&client=safari&hl=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&fir=sjzTxee-HKeb4M%253A%252CfroaoORBbfvsoM%252C_%253BAqjlGJGL0o-ltM%253A%252Cb4gCZOr7w_9F6M%252C_%253Bp6gOFmM5F0XcwM%253A%252CY4OsMJK2jUTRQM%252C_&usg=__-X9mzaZf0ZfA2sx5RRa5PYfbiCo%3D&sa=X&ved=0CCsQ7AlqFQoTCP2zta_khcYCFUNK2wodc5QA1g#imgrc=p6gOFmM5F0XcwM%253A%3BY4OsMJK2jUTRQM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Frobinruscio.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2011%252F10%252FDSC0795-2.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Frobinruscio.com%252F2011%252F10%252Fthe-new-fodera-emperor-ii-elite%252F%3B1028%3B685 This is what Fodera regard as a tone block. The contrast wood in the centre on the back of the body. Edited June 10, 2015 by Musashimonkey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzyvee Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 [quote name='BruceBass3901' timestamp='1433953296' post='2795415'] I think I am right in saying that the idea is to attach the bridge to a section of the instrument which is made from a different material, usually to increase sustain or change the tone (supposedly). Alembic did this quite a lot by having a brass 'tone block' under the bridge, others have used Ash, Alder or Mahogany. [/quote] This is what some alembics have under the bridge. Usually it's usually made from brass but you can specify what you want. [attachment=194019:serveimage.jpeg] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 [quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1433957641' post='2795477'] [/quote] ... and thus Wayne is proven wrong ... although I do think it's a bit of a shame that he's not still here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sambrook Posted June 11, 2015 Author Share Posted June 11, 2015 I knew you'd know....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 [quote name='Sambrook' timestamp='1433950737' post='2795377'] I've noticed many set neck basses have tone blocks. Is this just a decorative contrast, or is there some deeper, more sinister reason? I know you'll know....... [/quote] I'd say it was a decorative 'enhancement'... in that the basses that may feature them should be made well enough not to really need one...certainly if sustain is the goal... IMHO, of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle psychosis Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 [quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1433957641' post='2795477'] As does the later model Les Paul Double Cut: What's that? There's one for sale in the forum? Well, I'll be damned! [/quote] Gorgeous bass Matt. Wish I had 75,000 spare pennies to send your way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 A tone block is not being able to decide between active or passive or flats and rounds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassman Sam Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 A tone block is a build up of wax in the ears or the results of old age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alyctes Posted June 13, 2015 Share Posted June 13, 2015 It's analogous to writer's block... explains why my tone is so consistently awful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted June 13, 2015 Share Posted June 13, 2015 A tone block is not being able to recognise that wood choice has a significant impact on tone... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alyctes Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 [quote name='Kev' timestamp='1434233134' post='2797902'] A tone block is not being able to recognise that wood choice has a significant impact on tone... [/quote] A tone block is the slidy part of a Westone Rail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 So, a tone block is found on all neck through instruments, put simply, it is the extended part of the neck that is sandwiched between the body wings. It can be different wood to the neck & body wing wood, and is certainly thought to effect tone! Check out the rear views of all neck-through Foderas for a perfect example. Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drTStingray Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Also on some bolt on neck basses. The Musicman Reflex is a particular example. It has a mahogany tone block within an otherwise ash body. The guitar version has a chambered tone block. The intention is, as far as I know, to alter the resonance of the body wood. It always make me laugh when I read comments on bass fora about body wood making no difference on an electric instrument - and yet manufacturers go to the expense of adding tone blocks of different types of wood in order to produce a specific tone which wouldn't be available otherwise - or would result in a heavier bass if the tone block wood was used for the whole body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 (edited) It's like a cock block for tone, like when the guitarists amp is too loud for you to hear yourself properly/ Edited June 14, 2015 by ahpook Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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