really stupid setup question

[Gonzo476]

The neck in my HW One P bass has quite a lot of backbow, making the action too high. I checked some videos on youtube and all of them showed that, in order to solve the problem, you have to tighten the truss rod by turning it clockwise. In all these videos the truss rod pocket (or whatever it's called) was placed on the headstock of the bass.
And now my silly question: the truss rod pocket in my P bass is at the END of the neck, so should I turn it anticlockwise (i.e. clockwise if you were looking from the top of the headstock) to tighten the truss rod?

[Vittu]

its still clockwise dont wrench on it too hard though

[Vittu]

go a little farther than you think you need and after a few days the neck will settle back

[Gonzo476]

Well, the truss rod is really stiff when I try to turn it clockwise and I'm afraid of breaking it...but the backbow is still there

[bassteban]

Read all the setup stickies here, also search for Dan Erlewine- he's been around for years & writes for bassplayer mag(I'm not a huge fan of BP but Dan knows his stuff).

[dmusic148]

Originally Posted by Gonzo476

Well, the truss rod is really stiff when I try to turn it clockwise and I'm afraid of breaking it...but the backbow is still there

Loosen the strings completely and try again. If it still won't turn reasonably easily, it's probably bottomed out. In that case, remove the nut(that's the part you're turning) and add an appropriate sized washer or two to the rod, and reinstall the nut, and try again.
It's always a good idea to loosen the strings when tightening the nut. By the way, you are describing FORWARD bow.

[Gonzo476]

Yep you're right. I meant forward bow. Thanks for correcting me.

[Gonzo476]

I had no luck loosening the strings so I guess the truss rod is bottomed out...the neck must be removed from the body in order to take the washer out I suppose?

[251]

It is time to read this; http://www.fender.com/support/basses.php

I do not see the translation to Spanish on their International website but, I my ability with languages other than English is tiny. Please look for it, to be sure.

Setting up a bass guitar is not hard, especially if you are used to using tools & can work slowly. I am in Massachusetts & find by basses change with the seasons and need adjustment 3 or 5 times a year.

Good Luck

[Gonzo476]

I've already read the setup guidelines in the fender website. My problem is that I can't turn the truss rod clockwise because it's too stiff (even after loosening the strings) But thanks anyway.

[wite_rabit]

So, your bass guitar's neck is bowed forward (toward the strings) leaving a valley under them that you just can't tighten out...

On the upside, if you DO have to remove the neck to add washers to the truss rod nut (which may not be bottomed out - could be seized!) it should easily go back on without issue. Just save whatever shims were between the neck and body and put them back in the same place... Or, call up a luthier! You may not be out a lot of money and a professional setup goes a long way.


Best of luck!

[ByF]

Try loosening the truss rod before you try to tighten it. As wite rabit says, it may be seized. But if it turns easier when you loosen it, it was probably bottomed out.

Ed

[Ric5]

Your bass has the opposite of backbow. You need to turn the truss rod more. It is hard to break a truss rod. Also lower the bridge and try lighter strings. And if that doesn't do it then try a replacement neck.

[Gonzo476]

Thanks for all the input guys. I took my bass today to my local music shop. The problem was that the truss rod pocket was full of s#@% that came out after loosening the truss rod. After that it turned perfectly and the neck is now straight as an arrow

[Im a sock]

Originally Posted by 251

I am in Massachusetts & find by basses change with the seasons and need adjustment 3 or 5 times a year.

Good Luck

Yup... Gotta love 4(+-6) seasons per year.