Strings flat against fretboard

[benabrown]

Hi Guys,

I've run into a problem with my bass, and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions.

I took it apart to transport it when I flew from the UK to the US, and then re-assembled it over here. I checked all the components upon arrival, and everything appeared entirely fine; so I put it all back together, everything looked perfect- so far so good.

However, when I tried to restring it, I encountered an odd problem- the strings are absolutely flat against the fretboard, touching every single fret with no gap whatsoever. Obviously, this makes the bass impossible to play. I checked and changed the saddle height, it made no difference at all. I tried adjusting the truss rod, and this didn't help either.

So now I'm at a complete loss. From the first to the twenty-fourth fret, all four strings are so low as to be touching the frets.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I can't find my camera, so I wasn't able to take any photos; I tried to take some with the webcam built into my laptop, but I'm not sure they'd be much help!

Thanks!

Ben

[Zooberwerx]

With the strings nearly up to pitch and the truss rod loosened, some degree of relief should appear. Are you 100% sure you turned the truss rod nut in the right direction? What kind of bass are we talking about?

Riis

[xgator4u]

Originally Posted by Zooberwerx

With the strings nearly up to pitch and the truss rod loosened, some degree of relief should appear. Are you 100% sure you turned the truss rod nut in the right direction? What kind of bass are we talking about?

Riis

YUP sounds like a truss rod adjustment to me as well. As stated put proper tension on the strings, loosen the truss rod and wait for the relief to manifest itself.

[benabrown]

Thanks for the quick reply!

It's a Tanglewood Warrior 3. I turned the nut anti-clockwise- I believe that's the direction to loosen, right?

[xgator4u]

correct lefty loosy, righty tighty.
make sure the strings are properly "tuned" and they will PULL some relief into the neck. It may take several hours, even overnight.

[benabrown]

Originally Posted by xgator4u

correct lefty loosy, righty tighty.
make sure the strings are properly "tuned" and they will PULL some relief into the neck. It may take several hours, even overnight.

Thanks! I'll give that a go and let you know.

[Johnny Mack]

is the neck flush in the pocket?

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mack

is the neck flush in the pocket?

Thats what i was thinking. I dont get this one at all. If it is in the pocket and tight with the strings brought up to tension it has to be the neck is backbowed...couldnt be anything else.

[Poor Tom]

Maybe the truss rod is broke? Have you ever made adjustments with it before? If the bass setup was fine before you took it apart for the flight, then something must have happened either during disassemble, during travel, or during reassembly.

[xgator4u]

if the rod was broke, it would automatically be loose therefore the neck would respond with PLENTY of relief under the tension of the strings. I am assuming of course that it was re assembled properly with the neck seated as it was before being broken down.

[benabrown]

It's definitely seated properly. I've tried removing the neck and reseating it to double-check. We'll see what happens with regards to loosening the truss rod. Thanks for all the responses so far.

[benabrown]

Okay, I went to recheck, having loosened the truss rod, and it's (almost) perfect again.

Problem solved, thanks guys. I appreciate it!

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by benabrown

Okay, I went to recheck, having loosened the truss rod, and it's (almost) perfect again.

Problem solved, thanks guys. I appreciate it!

Hey....we get it right every now and then!

Riis

[xgator4u]

Originally Posted by benabrown

Okay, I went to recheck, having loosened the truss rod, and it's (almost) perfect again.

Problem solved, thanks guys. I appreciate it!

Good deal Bro. that is what we are all here for, to learn from, and help each other.