Strings, Tension, and bending neck?

[jamiefoxer]

Guys,

I own three Ibanez basses, and they're all showing a small amount of raised action after 4-5 months with their strings. It's not out of this world, but I know I put a lower action when I set them up. When looking at the basses from the side, I do notice a VERY VERY slight bend to the neck (toward the front, and not the back). I assume that the raised action on all three basses is a result of just tuning them up to standard tuning (with medium gauge strings) and leaving it like that. However, I had read before that it's best not to de-tune strings.

I'm worried that I'm harming the necks of my basses. What should I do? My intuition tells me to detune every bass string a whole tone down after using it and store them that way. Should I do that? Should I do more...should I do a half-tone instead?

[Rumblin' Man]

I wouldn't detune.

It may be that they've acclimated to the string tension and the local environmental conditions. I'd check the neck relief and adjust as necessary. I have to check my instruments a couple times a year.

[kurosawa]

Yeah, it could be a humidity thing. There used to be these little free humidity gauges you'd get with stuff-it double bass humidifiers, maybe you could write to the company and get one free to hang on your closet wall. Then you could see the relationship.

[jamiefoxer]

Originally Posted by Rumblin' Man

I wouldn't detune.

It may be that they've acclimated to the string tension and the local environmental conditions. I'd check the neck relief and adjust as necessary. I have to check my instruments a couple times a year.

Should I worry, or is this normal for basses? Are basses designed to take that bend? I think I have GHS Boomers ultra lights on the the 4-string, LaBella Deep Talking Tapewounds on the 5 string (which seem Heavy gauge to me), and Elixir Mediums on the 6-string (stock).

I don't mind adjusting the truss rod a little...but I'm worried that one day, I won't be able to adjust the rod anymore and the neck will be bent out of use. Is that a worry I should have or are basses designed to take that type of tension?

I live in coldweather conditions (below freezing, Northeast) and the basses are in the cold basement, but when in use, they're in room temperature conditions.

I'm a neophyte to "adjusting" the truss rod, so I don't know how much I should adjust. Action and intonation, I've done before, however.

[knuckle_head]

You should never let it get too far out of hand.

Some movement is always gonna happen, but big sways need to be kept in check. Your neck can take it as long as the movement is front and back. Lateral movement suggests you need a new neck or a lateral bridge movement/adjustment. The best way to take it easy on a neck long term is to keep it as straight as you can, and some basses need that kind of attention.

Tune the basses the way you need to and tend to them as they settle in. Don't expect them to behave similarly. All basses need what they need in time.

[jamiefoxer]

funny enough, using methods on the internet (fretting 1st fret and 12th fret), the space between the 6th fret is very minimal. Maybe all I need to do is adjust the action a little at the saddle, because it doesn't seem like there's a bow at the 6th fret (so I don't feel like I should mess around with the truss rod, if there is not perceptible bow). the bass' neck is not perceptibly bent or anything else.

Is it common for strings to change, action-wise, with time?

[knuckle_head]

Originally Posted by jamiefoxer

funny enough, using methods on the internet (fretting 1st fret and 12th fret), the space between the 6th fret is very minimal. Maybe all I need to do is adjust the action a little at the saddle, because it doesn't seem like there's a bow at the 6th fret (so I don't feel like I should mess around with the truss rod, if there is not perceptible bow). the bass' neck is not perceptibly bent or anything else.

Is it common for strings to change, action-wise, with time?

What can happen with strings over time is that they will stretch. Some strings will feel as though they have less tension as a result. With time some strings become less rigid and can excurd more, necessitating more string height.

[jamiefoxer]

Originally Posted by knuckle_head

What can happen with strings over time is that they will stretch. Some strings will feel as though they have less tension as a result. With time some strings become less rigid and can excurd more, necessitating more string height.

i'm having the opposite effect. the strings are a tiny bit more tense, and they're higher...they need to be brought down VERy slightly.