neck relief issue - help!

[ScottyAx800]

My new EBMM fretless Sterling five played great out of the shop when I bought it a couple of weeks ago. Recently, I got a bit of buzz at the first few 'frets'. I checked with a ruler and found that the neck was a little convex.

The truss rod was REALLY DIFFICULT to adjust at first. My guess is that whoever set it up at the store really cranked the truss rod on it. Red flag? I almost broke the screwdriver trying to add a little relief. I loosened an eighth of a turn, checked. Nothing. Another Eighth of a turn. The neck flattened out, and the bass was back to playing great.

I checked the next morning, and the neck was back to exactly where it was. Just as convex as before, but with more relief. (??) I loosen another 8th of a turn. The neck flattens out again. I play it for five minutes and check again. The neck is convex again.

At this point I am afraid to keep adjusting. How is the neck relief adjusting only temporarily, then reverting back to its original state despite the added relief? Is the wood compressing against the truss rod? This is a big concern. What do I do?

[251]

Originally Posted by ScottyAx800

My new EBMM fretless Sterling five played great out of the shop when I bought it a couple of weeks ago. Recently, I got a bit of buzz at the first few 'frets'. I checked with a ruler and found that the neck was a little convex.

The truss rod was REALLY DIFFICULT to adjust at first. My guess is that whoever set it up at the store really cranked the truss rod on it. Red flag? I almost broke the screwdriver trying to add a little relief. I loosened an eighth of a turn, checked. Nothing. Another Eighth of a turn. The neck flattened out, and the bass was back to playing great.

I checked the next morning, and the neck was back to exactly where it was. Just as convex as before, but with more relief. (??) I loosen another 8th of a turn. The neck flattens out again. I play it for five minutes and check again. The neck is convex again.

At this point I am afraid to keep adjusting. How is the neck relief adjusting only temporarily, then reverting back to its original state despite the added relief? Is the wood compressing against the truss rod? This is a big concern. What do I do?

When you brought the bass home the weather was rainy, hot & humid. Now it is cool & dry. The wood is shrinking.

Lots of guitar techs (as opposed to luthiers) know only one setting for the truss rod of a bass guitar - very tight. Keep backing off the truss rod, slowly, until it settles down to the relief you want. Tune to pitch before each measurement & be patient with a new bass. You will get to know it well soon.

[bajerovaquero]

I had the same issue with a Stingray V
Built on California shipped to Chicago and then fly to Spain.
Just wanted to say time fixed it after countless releases.
I think diferences in humidity can play a huge role in backbows.
A friend of mine had the same problem in a JB he sent to Fender, and they replaaced the neck.
Apologies for my bad english

[ScottyAx800]

Whew... thanks for the input, guys. As I write this the neck is starting to settle more permanently. Boy was I freaked for a bit, though.