How does it happen??

[Mr. Mig]

I hear about people who say there bass got bowed so much that it can't be played. How can a neck get so out of wack? Is it ignoring it, or abusing it(i.e. constant gigs)? Also, how often do you guys adjust your truss rod? Thanks for your input.

[capnsandwich]

I think it comes from neglect, like leaving it in a warm, humid environment and never adjusting or playing it and just letting it sit there with constant stress on the neck. Also, if you use a fairly new piece of wood for a neck and it hasn't sat for at least a year then it's very likely to develop unrepairable neck issues.

As for adjusting the truss rods in my basses, I'd say usually twice a year, since mine are pretty stable but the weather is not in my neck of the woods. Usually once after the winter and then once after the summer or if I change the gauge of strings that I had on there before.

[Pilgrim]

1 - Neglect/mistreatment
2 - Improper adjustment
3 - Wood warping
4- Influence of weather or climate
5 - Truss rod failure

Pick one or more.