Warwick Thumb possible trussrod problems?

[triggervision]

My warwick thumb 4 BO has been babied the past 2 years. I know how to set up a bass relatively well (my OCD for the perfect set up is never fixed though). I have probably adjusted my truss rod 4 times in the 2 years of owning my bass which I bought brand new from Bass Central. I've noticed these past 2 times though that the truss rod is very easy to turn and doesn't adjust my relief. It seems as though to adjust relief I have to spin the truss rod until it "catches" (i.e. turns with no force applied until it takes some force to turn). What's the deal here? It can't be natural can it? Little help guys.

[triggervision]

anyone..

[Lesfunk]

Sounds like you're in the middle of a dual action truss rod

[triggervision]

Could you expand on that please?

[Hellbastard]

What year is the bass (2006?)
Does it have a volute behind the neck?
Depending on the fabrication year warwicks have different TR types, newer ones, as yours seem to be according to your info, have a dual action TR which adjusts the relief in both directions, so when you reach a loose point (the nut moves without a lot of effort) you can start adjusting in both directions. now AFAIR turning the nut clockwise gives you relief and turning it C-clockwise gives backbow, I might wrong here, check the users manual.

[202dy]

First and foremost, refer to the sticky at the top of the page labeled "All truss rod questions answered here".

Righty tighty, lefty loosey. With a single action rod, the act of tightening the truss rod nut will compress the lumber in the neck. Since there is more lumber above the rod (fingerboard side) than there is below (where your thumb should be) the neck will bow toward the strings. This counteracts the pull of the strings, and in extreme cases will cause the neck to be in a back bow.

The same is true for dual action truss rods. The only difference is that when the nut is turned to the left (CCW) the neck is placed in tension (the opposite of compression) and the effect is the opposite. There will be more relief in the neck.

Turning the nut to the left on a standard truss rod will eventually remove the nut.

[triggervision]

I think you are right Hellbastard. I do have a newer model (2004) and I can spin the rod without a lot of effort either way and the relief does not change. However, once I reach a point I do get some resistance and relief does get adjusted. I was sweating bullets there for a while. Thanks guys. As always, a tremendous amount of help.

Later.