Rattling truss rod resulting in dead strings

Chiefen · #1 11-09-2009, 02:31 PM

I have a SX P-bass which I got about 2 years ago. The setup was not exactly excellent when I got it. I had to set the action quite high and the neck quite bowed to keep it from buzzing and sounding dead. This doesn't bother me at all, the bass sounds really thick, fat and punchy setup like this.

Despite this, I just tried to lower the action I little bit, just for the sake of it. The bass probably needs a general setup anyway, since I haven't touched the truss rod or bridge since I got it.

Tried to get rid of some neck-bow by loosening the truss rod 1/2 turn to begin with before tampering with the bridge. Now the bass is buzzing no matter what I do! The worst thing is that the buzz is sucking the tone and punch out of the strings, particularly the E and A strings. I'm sure it is the truss rod, the buzz is coming from the upper part of the neck (checked everything else, tuners etc.).

I haven't touched the truss rod for 2 years, and now it ****s up just because I tried to fix something that wasn't broken! What should I try to do?

Cheers!

bassteban · #2 11-09-2009, 02:34 PM

Read all the FAQs and setup info you can- it's rarely just one thing. The first thing that comes to my attention is that loosening your truss rod will produce more bow in the neck.

Edit: Also, 1/2 turn is a LOT for a truss rod; I'll go 1/8-1/4 or so at a time & let everything settle a bit before going any further.

Chiefen · #3 11-09-2009, 02:46 PM

Ah, of course! I did tighten it by turning it clock-wise, typed it the other way around. I have tried to find some info, but I don't what else could cause this problem. The nut, bridge etc. is alright. The problem started when I touched the truss rod.

You're right, I was probably a little heavy on the adjustment! I will let it settle and see what happens.

JustDavid · #4 11-09-2009, 03:12 PM

What's the current amount of neck relief?

Chiefen · #5 11-09-2009, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustDavid

What's the current amount of neck relief?

Close to 2mm.

ByF · #6 11-09-2009, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefen

Close to 2mm.

How did you measure it? That's A LOT of relief.

Ed

T-Bird · #7 11-10-2009, 01:13 AM

Hi.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustDavid

What's the current amount of neck relief?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefen

Close to 2mm.

Won't obviously say that's impossible, but I've personally have never seen that much relief on a playable bass.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ByF

How did you measure it? That's A LOT of relief.

Ed

I'd like to know as well.

Regards
Sam

Chiefen · #8 11-10-2009, 04:12 AM

Measuring at the 8th fret E-string, pressing down first and last fret.
Well, 2 credit cards fits easily. That's at least 1.5mm then.

T-Bird · #9 11-10-2009, 07:09 AM

Hi.

Hard to tell without actually seeing the instrument, but something's seriously wrong with the setup if an action that high with the truss rod tightened half a turn will rattle.

Did the relief change when You tightened the truss rod nut?

If it didn't (after a set-in period of course) there's a possibility of a faulty truss rod channel. Wouldn't be the first, the cheap imports of 80's were cursed with those.

Regards
Sam

eyecandy · #10 11-10-2009, 08:47 AM

i fiddled my truss rod as well.. at first i think i over tightened the neck.. it buzzes like hell on the open string... twist a couple of turns solved it.. well except the fret buzzing im experiencing on the D string.... =(

stflbn · #11 11-10-2009, 08:51 AM

If you're looking to get rid of relief, you need to tighten the truss rod, not loosen it. Hopefully you haven't loosened it so much that it's worked it's way out of position. If so, be careful not to cross thread it when tightening.

It sounds like your SX desperately needs fret work (which is common for inexpensive basses), but not overly complicated for someone who knows how to do it.