Adjusting a musicman truss rod

wtf_is_a_bass · #1 04-06-2007, 07:16 AM

Hello all, just a quick question about my musicman. Ive searched the musicman site and the forums and stuff but i cant seem to find the answer.

My musicman's neck needs a bit of relief, as the strings are too low, even with the strings set high on the bridge. I know that for basses with the truss rod bolt at the head, you turn it anti-clockwise. But what should i do on a musicman, which has the nut at the bottom of the neck, where the body is? Which way do i turn it to loosen the truss rod?

Also, is there any advice you can give about adjusting a truss rod carefully, precisely and correctly without damaging it? ive adjusted the truss rod on my squier before but i didnt take much care or pay attention to results as its just my "muck around" bass

Thanks in advance

thehurlatron · #2 04-06-2007, 07:44 AM

Still turn it counter clockwise to loosen it. (when looking at it from the bridge side up, NOT the headstock down)

Also, to avoid any problems, just do no more than 1/8 to a 1/4 of a turn, then wait it out for a few hours min. for the neck to adjust.

Lindsey · #3 04-06-2007, 11:48 AM

FAQs for EBMM instruments are available at the Ernie Ball home page. The subject is covered. (I don't agree with their statement that string height can/should be adjusted with the truss rod adjustment, it's just one aspect of a soild set up including bridge height adjustment). BTW, take a read of the Roger Sadowsky set up article posted at this site. It will give you a good baseline for the procedure to set up your axe for relief and action.

one3rd · #4 05-19-2007, 09:24 PM

I apologize for digging up this old thread, but I figure it's better than starting a brand new one. A couple of months ago, I took my bass into a repair shop to get the neck set up and everything. Everything was fine at first, but a few weeks later, I noticed that the neck seemed to have straightened out somewhat and I'm getting a lot of string buzzing. From what I understand, all one needs to do to adjust the truss rod for a MM is stick something into the hole and turn the wheel. However, the only success that I'm having is in bending the tools that I'm trying to use. Is this a normal issue, or should I take it back to have the guy re-adjust it?

Audiophage · #5 05-20-2007, 09:08 AM

It's just a matter of changing your perspective on the bass. It's still counterclockwise, just from the opposite side.

stanger503 · #6 05-20-2007, 08:17 PM

righty tighty lefty loosy rite?

one3rd · #7 05-21-2007, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audiophage

It's just a matter of changing your perspective on the bass. It's still counterclockwise, just from the opposite side.

I don't think this could possibly be the problem when it won't move in either direction. I'm just going to take it back to the guy and have him adjust it.