What is the correct way to reduce neck tension before removing strings?

[Cooljazz58]

Hi all,

I have medium gauge strings on my p-bass and want to change the bridge and tuners. Someone told me once never unwind the strings (to remove) all at once because this could cause damage to the neck due to the tension from the truss rod (with no counter string tension).

Is there a good way to go about taking all the strings off a bass and not damage the neck?

Thanks, Rick

[prd004]

Don't worry about it, just take the strings off

[pacojas]

i've never had a problem removing all strings at once.
(knock on wood)

[Nikoubis]

Originally Posted by pacojas

i've never had a problem removing all strings at once.
(knock on wood)

Always done that too, never had issues either.

[JLS]

Originally Posted by Cooljazz58

Hi all,

I have medium gauge strings on my p-bass and want to change the bridge and tuners. Someone told me once never unwind the strings (to remove) all at once because this could cause damage to the neck due to the tension from the truss rod (with no counter string tension).

Is there a good way to go about taking all the strings off a bass and not damage the neck?

Thanks, Rick

This is one of the great Bass Urban Myths, one of those, "They say____________", canards. It's right up there with, "Only turn your trussrod adjusting nut 1/16th of a turn, then wait a week for the neck to settle".

Change your strings and bridge, you have nothing to worry about with your neck.

[darkstorm]

Loosen the strings a bit then loosen them some more. When loose enough to pop them off the tuners, do so. All done. The only time to take all the strings off is when needing to take the neck off or to do fretwork etc. For string changes do each string one at a time, tuning up as you go then doing final string tune up tweak after the last new string is on. Its true that most modern basses including imports have better neck then basses of old. So taking all the string off isnt as big a deal as it was long ago. Still, taking great care of ones instruments is a benefit.

[seanm]

If you are really worried about it, remove the G, then the E, then the D, then the A. That should minimize the twisting on the neck.

[walterw]

Originally Posted by seanm

If you are really worried about it, remove the G, then the E, then the D, then the A. That should minimize the twisting on the neck.

...oh wait, were you serious?

[Steveaux]

Originally Posted by JLS

This is one of the great Bass Urban Myths, one of those, "They say____________", canards. It's right up there with, "Only turn your trussrod adjusting nut 1/16th of a turn, then wait a week for the neck to settle".

Change your strings and bridge, you have nothing to worry about with your neck.

+1

/thread

[capnjim]

I always loosen string by string in steps until they are loose. Probably not even needed, but just a habit.

[seanm]

Originally Posted by walterw

...oh wait, were you serious?

Sure If the OP is worried about tension... take them off one side at a time. I personally never bother; I just start with the E string and go up for no apparent reason. But doing it the way I mentioned can't hurt.

[walterw]

Originally Posted by seanm

...doing it the way I mentioned can't hurt.

sure, but while you're at it, always wearing a blue shirt and lifting one foot off the floor while re-stringing can't hurt either

[seanm]

Originally Posted by walterw

sure, but while you're at it, always wearing a blue shirt and lifting one foot off the floor while re-stringing can't hurt either

Oh oh...... I always wear a black shirt.... I knew I was doing something wrong