help needed with trust rod

Marson · #1 09-30-2007, 10:25 PM

I bought a bass around december its an ibanez btw, anyway i found anything above the 12th fret is either some buzz or just not a very prominent note I can make it out and hear it , but if I were to hit an open note then try to hammer on a note it would sound terrible, so now my question is I know I need to adjust the rod but how straight should the neck be? I'm looking for low action but still resonable with out too much buzz so how straight do i need to make this neck etc.... any help is appreciated thank you

Foamy · #2 09-30-2007, 10:26 PM

If your problem is above the 12th fret, the "truss" rod is not at fault.

If you are having problems on hammer-ons above the 12th fret, you either have your action set too low, the string is way out of tune, one or more frets is too high, and...hmm....that may about it for the common problems. [Just thought of another one - the pickup(s) may be too close to the strings]. Likely you are just trying to set the action low like a guitar. Just guessing since you start off with hammer-ons. ;-)

To answer your question about the truss rod, I'll start by saying it is an issue of personal taste. Remember, I think you do NOT have a truss rod issue simply because of the problem you describe. You may, but it wouldn't be demonstrated by 12+ fret hammer-ons.
I believe that there should be some relief (bow), but not alot.
I use an easy method that I picked up around here on TB somewhere.
You need 2 standard business cards, and the appropriate tool to adjust the truss rod.

Insert the 2 business cards around the the 7th fret.
Hold down the E string on the first and 20th(-ish) frets.
Pick up the bass, and turn it on edge.
The pressure of the string should hold the stack of 2 business cards. If it does not, there is too much relief. Straighten by turning the adjustment nut 1/16 of a turn and try again. It's a good idea to let the bass sit for a few minutes after each adjustment. Very gradually adjust the tension until the pressure holds 2 cards.
Now, if we held the 2 cards the first time...
Insert just one of the cards, and fret the string again.
The single business card should fall out freely.
If it does not, then there is not enough relief - the neck is too straight.
Adjust in very small increments until the string will hold 2 cards, but let one fall freely.

jschwalls · #3 09-30-2007, 10:33 PM

That is hard to diagnose without seeing the bass itself... just this saturday i had a guitar come into the store with a screwed up neck... i was able to fix the problem the G string was fretting out only at the 13th fret... it was a combo of bad fret and too much relief in neck.

I spent 4 days on a start neck a few weeks ago... minor adjustments everyday, hanging in same room for a week... sometimes it just takes awhile.

scottice · #4 09-30-2007, 10:34 PM

Spend the $75 on a professional set-up. You won't regret it.

xlows · #5 09-30-2007, 10:37 PM

I think you could trust any of them.

scottice · #6 09-30-2007, 10:39 PM

Foamy · #7 09-30-2007, 10:40 PM

What has happened on this planet when I am the voice of reason??!!

Oh, and now I get it - They're all named ROD. I'm a smart squirrel!

fraublugher · #8 09-30-2007, 10:51 PM

Marson · #9 09-30-2007, 10:51 PM

not neccesarily low like a guitar I own a ltd as well and it has PERFECT action on it i couldnt like it any better but its also better quality than the ibanez and I've taken a look at this neck and its pretty bowed which isnt good , and as for the trust rod thing ..... my bad

PilbaraBass · #10 10-01-2007, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xlows

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Holy Twilight Zones, Batman!

Foamy · #11 10-01-2007, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marson

not neccesarily low like a guitar I own a ltd as well and it has PERFECT action on it i couldnt like it any better but its also better quality than the ibanez and I've taken a look at this neck and its pretty bowed which isnt good , and as for the trust rod thing ..... my bad

I doubt that it is bowed well beyond the 12th.
And if it is, that would likely IMPROVE the situation you are describing. The more bow, the more clearance for the string to ring out.

OK, good luck then.
Spend the money.
Really.

Marson · #12 10-01-2007, 10:12 AM

ah alright thanks

BuffaloBass · #13 10-01-2007, 11:59 AM

Marson, if the neck is bowed, it needs tighening. For ME ( its context specific), I like very little relief in the neck, so I dial it in until I can just make out some relief (bow).

If its too flat, you'll get a buzzz in the 3-4 fret area. Once the neck is like I liek it, then I set bridge height.

I know the bass is close to right for me as when I tighten the strings back up, the neck is too flat until maybe the 3rd or 4th string is tightened, and then it finally gets its bit of relief and shazzam, I have a Marcus Miller setup.

If the neck is bowed as you say, I would loosen the strings, tighten the truss rod, and tune it back up. Don;t **fret** if the strings are laying on teh frets until the 3rd or 4th string is tensioned.

The neck adjustment may take a day to settle! I usually wait overnight before monkeying with it again. Dont rush to make another adjustment if its not where you want it initially. Wait overnight, or a day.

You cant really mess anything up if you make the adjsutments slowly. If the frets are bad, well, thats where a pro comes in.

scottice · #14 10-01-2007, 12:05 PM

Can't TRUSS it!!!

69nites · #15 10-01-2007, 01:14 PM

if you're buzzing past the 12th your action needs to be raised.

you should measure your relief and determine if your truss rod is in need of adjustment.

fret the first fret with a capo and press down the fret where the neck meets the body. there should be a small gap between the string and around the 8th fret. You can measure it with feeler gauges but that's not really necessary IMO. Set up as desired.

but your problem has nothing to do with your truss rod it's your action at fault. I highly suggest looking around for setup threads through the search function. You'll soon find your bass playing better than ever.