truss rod adjustment

[woofdoggy]

Would a truss rod adjustment be needed if i recently switched to a lighter string gauge? switched from 45-65-85-105 to 45-65-80-100. I don't think i see any bend in the fretboard, but i dont have the best eyes for that kind of stuff.

[agent77]

If the action is OK, and you don't have any fret buzz then leave it alone. IMHO truss rod adjustment is to adjust the playability of the instrument.

Just my 2 cents

[tjh]

Originally Posted by woofdoggy

Would a truss rod adjustment be needed if i recently switched to a lighter string gauge? switched from 45-65-85-105 to 45-65-80-100. I don't think i see any bend in the fretboard, but i dont have the best eyes for that kind of stuff.

.. the affect of going to lighter guage strings (less string tension) would 'flatten out' a neck, not cause an increase in the 'bend' (relief) ... if anything you would loosen the truss nut to return it to the previous amount of relief if that is what was desired ... its probably not likely (at least immediately) with that slight change, but keep an eye on it and see how it settles in as it sometimes takes a while for the neck 'memory' to relax ...

[chadds]

Take new strings and bass to a good tech. Truss Rod adjustment is for the qualified. I'm sure someone here will debate this. That's okay.

[SJan3]

Originally Posted by chadds

Take new strings and bass to a good tech. Truss Rod adjustment is for the qualified. I'm sure someone here will debate this. That's okay.

Most manufacturers provide a tool for truss adjustment. Just follow mfg directions and only adjust a quarter turn (or less) at a time. Allow time for the neck to settle as was suggested.

[Ric5]

Originally Posted by woofdoggy

Would a truss rod adjustment be needed if i recently switched to a lighter string gauge? switched from 45-65-85-105 to 45-65-80-100. I don't think i see any bend in the fretboard, but i dont have the best eyes for that kind of stuff.

Basses need adjusting .... Different string and different seasons and changes in humidity are all reasons why bass necks need to be tweaked. Learn to do your own setups and adjustments. Many times a bass will need to be setup and adjusted twice a year.

[ics1974]

Originally Posted by SJan3

Most manufacturers provide a tool for truss adjustment. Just follow mfg directions and only adjust a quarter turn (or less) at a time. Allow time for the neck to settle as was suggested.

+1

[KJung]

The intonation of the instrument is probably more impacted than the bowing of the neck. If you know you are going to stick with that gauge and brand of string for a long time (even the same gauge strings from different brands using different cores and winding techniques can require a tweak), it is probably worth paying the $35 or whatever and having the intonation set and truss rod adjusted.

Also, if you decide to mess around with the truss rod, a VERY little bit goes a long way. I don't think I've ever turned a truss rod more than an 1/8th of a turn to tweak it for different strings or weather. In your case, a slight loosening is probably all you need if you hear any fret buzzing, etc. Of course, adjusting the saddle height for the new strings might also be necessary, which would impact the buzzing, the intonation, and round and round we go

[almightycrunch]

It's hard for me to fathom, that someone would not be able to do a simple truss rod tweak to their own guitar. I understand that there are people who are not mechanically inclined, I really do, but a guitar is not a nuclear reactor.

[WoodyG3]

Here is my standard reply to set up questions:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIzV9462xeE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4MdWzN_100

[WhatUpBo]

Originally Posted by almightycrunch

It's hard for me to fathom, that someone would not be able to do a simple truss rod tweak to their own guitar. I understand that there are people who are not mechanically inclined, I really do, but a guitar is not a nuclear reactor.

+1

[DwaynieAD]

Originally Posted by almightycrunch

It's hard for me to fathom, that someone would not be able to do a simple truss rod tweak to their own guitar. I understand that there are people who are not mechanically inclined, I really do, but a guitar is not a nuclear reactor.

agreed. the be scared of your truss rod attitude turns so many people off of setting up their own instruments its almost sad. in fact until I said "eff it" and decided to give a full setup a go on my old beater P bass last week I was one of those that was scared. get on the internet, find some directions, follow them.

[fivestringgecko]

Originally Posted by DwaynieAD

agreed. the be scared of your truss rod attitude turns so many people off of setting up their own instruments its almost sad. in fact until I said "eff it" and decided to give a full setup a go on my old beater P bass last week I was one of those that was scared. get on the internet, find some directions, follow them.

This was me as well. "Oh man, I don't want to mess it up!" Then I did the same thing and worked on my old MIM Jazz 4-string just to see if I could do it. I'm not "professional grade" yet, but I'm definitely getting better.

5sg.

[chadds]

I shouldn't respond, but.....

Don't be scared do what you want it's your bass.
I know people and they aren't going to do 1/8 a turn and wait.....

I'm blessed with a great tech who used to work on the Jefferson Airplane's gear. He came personally recommended by Sadowski. He does magic. He knows far more than I do. I've been playing bass since 1966. He's been fixing instruments longer. So I run over there he might or might not tweak my bass. Then when I need some serious work I pay him.

His restoration of my G&L L1000 is on the club thread.

Anyway
To each his own.

[bass_lord_mutha]

Originally Posted by chadds

Take new strings and bass to a good tech. Truss Rod adjustment is for the qualified. I'm sure someone here will debate this. That's okay.

Hmmm....where to start...

1)Shoot, I've been doing unlicensed trussrod adjustments for years!!!

2)Well if they wouldn't have shut down that Trussrod Adjuster Magnet school last year I'd have my degree in Trussrod Management by now...

I'm being facetious and sarcastic of course, but seriously, you don't have to be "qualified" to make a 1/8 or 1/4 turn on a truss rod. Basses and guitars are tougher than that, and if a problem did arise from such a small adjustment, then the neck and/or trussrod had something inherently wrong with it in the first place. So long as you don't make any severe adjustments in one go, you'll be fine.

[chadds]

Originally Posted by bass_lord_mutha

Hmmm....where to start...

1)Shoot, I've been doing unlicensed trussrod adjustments for years!!!

2)Well if they wouldn't have shut down that Trussrod Adjuster Magnet school last year I'd have my degree in Trussrod Management by now...

I'm being facetious and sarcastic of course, but seriously, you don't have to be "qualified" to make a 1/8 or 1/4 turn on a truss rod. Basses and guitars are tougher than that, and if a problem did arise from such a small adjustment, then the neck and/or trussrod had something inherently wrong with it in the first place. So long as you don't make any severe adjustments in one go, you'll be fine.

I've done good adjustments myself.
I've had two supposedly reputable techs not realize that a truss rod was broken and keep turning.
Just sometimes your problem isn't what you think it is.
Again to each, his own.
My stuff has to work at practice and the gig. I'm not saying take your baby just anywhere for service.
My guy worked on the instruments of Charlie Byrd & Joe Byrd. He built Jim Thackery's guitar and does Gary Grainger's work.

To each,
his own.

[tjh]

Unfortunately the OP has not chimed back in along the way, nor filled out a profile with more info (as to gear, etc), so we don't know if we are dealing with a $100 headstock adjust truss rod bass or a $1000 heel adjust bass without sufficient routing to have access without removing the neck ...

... in any case, this is why I am a major proponent of people starting out (or even getting along the way if they have been at it a while) an inexpensive 'beater' type bass that they are not afraid to do all these things, to learn the mechancs of the instrument as well as the use of it ...

.. I encourage people not to be afraid of the mechanics. As mentioned there is a LOT of explanatory info available on just about any procedure these days ... but if in doubt, maybe pay to have it done for you ... but, only under the condition that you are able to watch and have it explained ...

... I am of the opinion that to improve the playability of an instrument, it can also improve the ability of the player ... and in order for that to happen, the mechanics of the instrument need to understood ... you dont NEED to do it yourself if you can afford to have it done for you, but you do NEED to understand what needs to be (and is being) done .. JMHO

[emdsd]

Originally Posted by WoodyG3

Here is my standard reply to set up questions:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIzV9462xeE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4MdWzN_100

+1000 on this one!

These videos totally de-mystified the whole process for me. After years of paying someone to take care of my instruments I'm so glad to be doing it myself now.

[96tbird]

Notice how Carl doesn't get his panties in a bunch about cranking the rod and waiting a day? That's because it's BS. Same thing about loosening strings. BS.