Checking Straightness of Neck

[Crazyeelboy]

Is placing a straight edge across the frets a good way to see the straightness of a bass neck?

[JTE]

A real precision straight-edge is good for analyzing the neck and frets. But unless you're doing a lot of extensive repair work, you can use the strings to do an effective check. Fret the lowest string at the first fret and the last fret at the same time.

John

[JLS]

Close, but no cigar: F1 & F15. If you go to the very last fret, you'll be adding any possible ski jump into the equation. This cannot be addressed with either trussrod adjustments, nor shimming the neck heel. What you want, is an idea of how much relief is present in the neck, that the trussrod has an effect on.

[JehuJava]

Originally Posted by JLS

Close, but no cigar: F1 & F15. If you go to the very last fret, you'll be adding any possible ski jump into the equation. This cannot be addressed with either trussrod adjustments, nor shimming the neck heel. What you want, is an idea of how much relief is present in the neck, that the trussrod has an effect on.

Does this apply to all necks or does it change between 21 and 24 fret necks?

[JB696]

Sorry, first and last fret. A rise at the heel or "ski jump" IS part of the equation and determines how much or little relief you will need to compensate for it. If the high frets are not leveled, the relief will have to be minimized and the strings raised at the bridge to prevent buzzing when fretting in the middle of the neck.

[Crazyeelboy]

Thanks guys. I'm adjusting my Rickenbacker 4003 and am shooting for dead straight (get it - straight shooter? Sorry), so I don't expect a ski ramp.