Schecter Neck Won't Straighten

dsbass09 · #1 01-19-2013, 06:52 AM

I play a 2009 Schecter Stiletto Studio 5. I got it straight from the factory so it has never been in a shop or anything. I kept the factory setup with the exception of a slight saddle adjustment. I just joined a metalcore/progressive metal band here in Tallahassee. They play in Drop B. After trying out a few different tuning I decided to keep my top string at standard B and the other strings up a whole step to B F# B E G#. I put brand new D'Addario XL 130s on it and after tuning up the neck was bowed a whole lot. So I tightened it, waited a few hours, and nothing moved. Another quarter turn, another few hours, half a millimeter difference. I'm at about 3 millimeters on my bottom string. I waited overnight to see if it would straighten out and still nothing. The action isn't unbearable but the neck is still bowed like crazy. The truss rod is really hard to turn at this point and I'm scared of breaking it. Any ideas? I don't exactly know how tight the rod is in relation to where it was before. I should mention I was tuned down to drop B starting on my E string for about 2 months before that. So G# B F# B E. I'm thinking maybe being tuned that low conditioned the neck to expect low tension and maybe it will take a few days to straighten out? it is really bowed. Any suggestions guys? I have some DR 125s playing around somewhere. Maybe I should try the lighter gauge?

2milehighspike · #2 01-19-2013, 08:20 AM

I just picked up a Schecter that also had a very bowed neck, the guy I got it from said it had a pro set up which was obviously BS, I had to put 4 or 5 1/4 turn adjustments with the first ones being very difficult to turn as well , it is now almost dead straight The intonation had to be adjusted too and after about a week of tweaking it is close to perfect. I love this bass, it sounds great and is very light, lighter than my strat! Anyway don't be afraid to turn the trussrod, just make sure you have the right size allen wrench, hope that helps!

dsbass09 · #3 01-19-2013, 08:39 AM

That's good to know. I just don't know how tight is too tight when it comes to truss rods

topo morto · #4 01-19-2013, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsbass09

That's good to know. I just don't know how tight is too tight when it comes to truss rods

Ideally, if the rod is correctly-designed and matched to the construction of the neck, I think you should basically be able to turn it "as far as it will go", but many truss rods aren't so kind. That doesn't mean you can keep pushing when it has gone as far as it will go.

Have you tried slackening the strings off and giving it a gentle wiggle?

Note: I am far from an expert on this and here to learn!

2milehighspike · #5 01-19-2013, 09:57 AM

I'm no expert either, I started doing my own set-ups because the closest luthiers are a 2 hour drive, that and I am a DIYer to begin with. I have found that if you leave the strings at playing tension when you adjust the truss rod , it will settle in better. I believe the truss rod sticking issue, at least with new necks, may have to do with the finish not being cured when the rod is installed, which makes it stick. After the initial turn of the rod, it seems to be easier to turn.

topo morto · #6 01-19-2013, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2milehighspike

I have found that if you leave the strings at playing tension when you adjust the truss rod , it will settle in better.

I can see why that would often be the case, as you are balancing the two forces, but if the neck is a bit 'stuck' in a forward bowed position, couldn't taking all the string tension off (which is pulling it into that bowed shape) concievably help it settle back?

Bassist4Eris · #7 01-19-2013, 10:09 AM

Couple of suggestions:

1. Your string tension is going to be weird. I'd consider putting together a custom gauge set at bassstringsonline.com. Use a regular low B, but the lightest gauges you can find for the others, to take some of the extra tension off.

2. Loosen the strings before adjusting the truss rod. You're having to fight against all that tension right now, and that's probably why the rod is getting hard to turn.

3. Don't use the truss rod to straighten the neck. Straighten it by hand, by physically bending it into place, and then tighen the truss rod.

lokikallas · #8 01-19-2013, 11:03 AM

Definitely change stings to a lighter gauge for the top 4. If your using a 110 tuned to f# good luck. I would be at about a 95. 130 is fine for b but your using crazy heavy gauges for your other strings. As said, adjust the rod with slack in the strings, then tune to pitch. It takes longer, but is cheaper than replacing a broken rod.

2milehighspike · #9 01-19-2013, 01:46 PM

Again I am no expert, but keeping the strings at playing tension works for me. It would seem to me that if you were to remove all the tension by loosening the strings, and then adjusting the truss rod, the neck may go to far the other way, I am only turning the rod a 1/4 turn at a time, then letting it settle for 12 or so hours, that worked great on the neck of my Schecter.