Truss Rod Concerns

thndrstk6

thndrstk6

Mockup Artist
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So I just recently did a setup on all my basses because they accidentally got left in front of a heater. The action on all of them was a little higher than normal so naturally I adjusted their truss rods. I noticed that I'm getting close to the end of how much the truss rod can turn. This bothers me because if I need to make any more adjustments to make the neck flatter, I wont be able to. Will the neck bend back out in the hot summer climate (its cold right now where I'm from) or does this mean I need neck repairs already?

When I set up my basses I usually loosen the strings, adjust the truss rod, let the bass rest for a day, then put the bass back in tune. I look down the neck and make sure the neck is about 95% straight. Then I check the neck again by pressing down the 1st and 12th fret to see the string height. Finally I adjust the saddles so that each string is the proper height according to the fret curve. I do this by pressing down each string at the 12th fret and then I measure the string height at the 24th fret. This seems to be the easiest way for me to set up my bass the way I like it. Is there any flaws in my set up process that may be leading to the truss rod issue?

Help me please!
 
I'm not a setup expert, but I cannot imagine that an improper setup procedure (I'm not saying yours is) will result in truss rod issues. Improper setup procedures will only result in a poor setup. The only thing I would do after leaving a bass in front of the heater, is to let it cool down at least a couple of hours before starting on a setup. :D
 
Does anyone else have any ideas? I'm really worried about my basses. :cry:
 
So I just recently did a setup on all my basses because they accidentally got left in front of a heater. The action on all of them was a little higher than normal so naturally I adjusted their truss rods. I noticed that I'm getting close to the end of how much the truss rod can turn. This bothers me because if I need to make any more adjustments to make the neck flatter, I wont be able to. Will the neck bend back out in the hot summer climate (its cold right now where I'm from) or does this mean I need neck repairs already?

When I set up my basses I usually loosen the strings, adjust the truss rod, let the bass rest for a day, then put the bass back in tune. I look down the neck and make sure the neck is about 95% straight. Then I check the neck again by pressing down the 1st and 12th fret to see the string height. Finally I adjust the saddles so that each string is the proper height according to the fret curve. I do this by pressing down each string at the 12th fret and then I measure the string height at the 24th fret. This seems to be the easiest way for me to set up my bass the way I like it. Is there any flaws in my set up process that may be leading to the truss rod issue?

Help me please!
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Man! :shock: Please, be careful and always take away any instrument from an heater... And remember that a good setup for the bass is not with a straight neck, but something that has a little bit curve (more or less, it depends on your string gauges, string height action, and your taste for playability of course). Now a few words about your way of doing the setup. You have to adjust the trussrod when the strings are in tension and when sthe string height isoptimal for your tastes, not before everything!!! Under the strings tension, a neck will have tendance to make a U that you have to compensate with the trussrod. The best way to see the curve is to put your fingers on the first and 24th fret so you can see how the neck looks like in his total length...
 
Ok thanks. So will the neck ever bend back or does it always bend forward?
 
Ok. I know the neck will slowly over time bend forward because of string tension and what not but does it ever bend back for any reason like temperature change?
 
thndrstk6 said:
Ok. I know the neck will slowly over time bend forward because of string tension and what not but does it ever bend back for any reason like temperature change?
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It'll bend back slightly if you leave the strings off or if you turn the rod in the wrong direction when trying to ad relief.If you need to flatten the neck at some point,loosen the strings a little to help it achieve it's new position.
This forward bend on the neck is often called,"relief". :wink:
 
My problems is, is that it is as flat as I want it now but if I need to make it flatter in the future than I wont have much more turns on the truss rod. I was just wondering if it will naturally get more relief with hotter weather so I wont have to worry about the truss rod being maxed out.
 
Once you set it,the neck shouldnt move.You'll be ok,I wouldnt worry about it.
 
Ok thanks for the support and knowledge guys much appreciated. :wink:
 
Yes, the neck can bend back, due to temperature changes. Be sure you don't set the neck too straight. If you have buzz in the first 5 positions, it means it is too straight ;-)
 
It doesn't buzz there but does buzz a little to much on a couple of the higher frets.
 
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