Detune Before Putting Bass Back in Case?

[selowitch]

Should one detune the bass guitar before returning it to its case? If so, why and if not, why not? Would constantly returning it to pitch when taking it out again exert undue pressure on the neck (and thus be an argument for keeping the bass more or less at pitch when putting it away)?

[Pilgrim]

Nope, not necessary.

[bass'n it]

I agree..............not necessary........................!

[dmusic148]

Not a good idea IMO. Better to let the neck have a constant tension rather that changing it all the time. I can't back that up with hard data, but it just seems like a bad thing to do.

[Blues Cat]

No

[selowitch]

I must admit I'm a little surprised, but I guess it does make sense that one would like to avoid constantly subjecting the neck to varying degrees of tension.

[ProffesB]

A slight variation on this question. Should you detune a bass before shipping it / going through major climate changes?

[selowitch]

According to this webpage (emphasis mine):

String Tension: You may be advised by airline personnel to be sure to detune your bass before air travel. Do not take this advice, leave your bass in tune. Your bass was designed to handle string tension at all times. Guitar manufacturers ship their guitars fully tuned to music stores and they arrive just fine. If an airline worker at the airport asks you if you've already detuned your guitar, just say yes to avoid the ridiculous lecture.

Of course, it's okay to slacken/remove the tension temporarily in order to do things like change strings, make repairs, etc., right? It's just not something you want to do day in and day out, I gather.

[JTE]

The reason the whole "detune before shipping" stated was when putting an acoustic guitar into an airplane while it's packed only in its case. Any damage to the top would be exacerbated by the tension on the strings. It's a myth. Think about it- if it was a problem to ship them strung to pitch, then no major manufacturer would ship instruments tuned up all the way. Yet Martin, Gibson, Fender, Ovation, Peavey, and Yamaha all ship guitars tuned to pitch. The only stuff we had come through when I managed a guitar store that wasn't tuned up was the really cheap imports.

Try to keep a stable tension on the neck. If you detune it for an exteneded period, LOOSEN the truss rod to compensate.

And don't be too precioius about your bass. It's really a very rugged and adaptable instrument.

jte

[lonote]

Originally Posted by ProffesB

A slight variation on this question. Should you detune a bass before shipping it / going through major climate changes?

No, don't do it. Manufacturers ship their basses tuned.

[Jazz Ad]

Basses are designed to be in tune. Releasing tension is more likely to damage the neck than leaving it as is.

[selowitch]

Well, I think that pretty much settles it. The consensus: Keep the tension on your bass' neck as consistent as possible; don't detune before putting it in its case.

[SteveC]

There's also no need to detune when shipping. I never have and I've never a problem.

[barbarbass]

De-tuning and re-tuning decreases string life.

[JustDavid]

Tell them you'll detune only if they promise to have the baggage handlers throw it around underhand instead of the usual overhand throwing.