Do weather changes make neck relief adjustments necessary?

IotaNet · #1 05-22-2006, 03:46 PM

To the Group -

I had my Ibanez SR505 set up by my bass tech a couple of months ago and it played perfectly -- nice low action, just like I like it with no buzzing. Last Monday, I noticed that I am starting to get buzzing all of a sudden.

Caveat: Spring has officially Sprung in Minnesota and I have been keeping my office/studio window open a lot more.

Could the changes in climate be contributing to the change in the neck and if so, what's the proper adjustment (tighten? loosen?) to the trussrod to get it back where I like it?

Bassic83 · #2 05-22-2006, 04:07 PM

Depends. What's it doing? Is it starting to backbow a little? Usually I have to adjust in the winter and in the summer (most of the time in Houston). If it is backbowing, loosen it a quarter turn or less. If it is bowing up, tighten a quarter turn or less. I usually do 1/8 turn, tune it, and let it sit overnite. Then I check it in the morning- if it's good, it's good. If it needs another bump, I'll bump it. I usually do a thorough cleanup at the end of a season, as well- i.e. at the end of the winter gig season, then again at the end of the summer. Things like bridge action, pickup height, etc. are done at this time. I usually play a lot after February,until about September, then mid-October through New Year's. From New Year's until sometime in March is typically when I do any major work I need to do, as I don't gig much during that time.

MysticMichael · #3 05-22-2006, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IotaNet

Could the changes in climate be contributing to the change in the neck?

Absolutely. I have to tweak the truss rods on my basses on a regular basis, just for this very reason - especially during changes of season or periods of very changeable weather...

You might be able to get away with not adjusting the truss rod if you happen to have a bass with an especially thick, dense neck, or one made of graphite composite. Otherwise, tweaking the truss rod is a fact of life if you play the bass guitar...

MM

lonote · #4 05-23-2006, 09:54 AM

I just got done tweaking all my basses, it's a twice a year (and sometimes more) job here in MN for me. I'd need to see what the basses look like (in terms of set-up) before making a recommendation about which way to turn what. If you want to talk later, PM me for my phone number. I may be able to save you a trip to Eclipse.

tkozal · #5 05-23-2006, 10:06 AM

I just had to tweak my 05 Jazz, due to spring here in NY, and a change of average humidity from the 20-30% range to 50%+ at times.

However, my older basses did not need any adjustment. It was just my newer ones, except for the EB MM Sterling, which always needs work.

tthor · #6 05-23-2006, 10:38 AM

I hate to pile this on top of what was already said, but increased humidity here in Virginia has me adjusting, adding relief to my main basses - Sadowsky's and Celinder. Necks definitely tend to straighten when humidity rises.

tulkas · #7 05-23-2006, 11:00 AM

My geddy lee is starting to backbow a little bit too, it's warming up around europe...

I dont have many knowlodge about this, and i dont want to damage the neck, but what do you think i should do?

Thanks.

tthor · #8 05-23-2006, 11:08 AM

If you are a do it yourself, handy kind of fellow, I suggest that you check out this thread from the setup and repair section of the forums. Otherwise, take it to a reliable guitar shop.
ALL BASIC SETUP QUESTIONS ANSWERED HERE

tulkas · #9 05-23-2006, 08:45 PM

Thanks for the helpfull links Tthor. They're very simple to understant, i found another one :

http://www.tunemybass.com/bass_setup/

The only problem is, to reach the truss rod of my bass, i have to take of the neck, i dont wanna damage it, i'm fearing that i put it back wrong (i have null experience on setups), any tips?

Thanks.

tkozal · #10 05-24-2006, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tulkas

Thanks for the helpfull links Tthor. They're very simple to understant, i found another one :

http://www.tunemybass.com/bass_setup/

The only problem is, to reach the truss rod of my bass, i have to take of the neck, i dont wanna damage it, i'm fearing that i put it back wrong (i have null experience on setups), any tips?

Thanks.

Its not that bad, there is a recent thread here about taking necks off to date them. I posted there how I do it. I just had to to fix the neck on my Jazz. The only finish issues I had were with older nitro finishes, I think a newer bass with poly or something like that would be fine. I did put a nice chip in the finish of my 73 Precision when I pulled the neck off to show someone the mar 73 date on the neck. Just loosen the screws, take the neck off, and make sure you tighten them right and tightly when you put it back on. I would then check them a day later, and re-tighten if needed. I loosen the strings, and I put a capo on the first fret, I don't take the strings off. But when you do that last screw, things will come apart fast, and that is where body damage may happen in my experience.

I turned mine a quarter turn to loosen, and all became right in the world again.....