Will my neck run out of truss rod adjustment?

BrandonBass · #1 03-08-2013, 05:29 AM

My stingrays have really low action as of now. As in its gonna buzz if tighten the truss rod a quarter turn . It's really good that way.

But the problem is that the truss rod needs to be adjusted once every few weeks. Sometimes if I leave the bass alone for Afew weeks then come back to it, it seemed like the relief has increased slightly and I have to turn the truss rod slightly to get optimal action . I have no problem with that it is just a minor inconvenience, the playability is well worth the effort.

My only concern is whether the neck will eventually run out of adjustments if I do it on a regular basis.

One of my frens told me I should release the tension of my strings if I'm not playing it for awhile. I dismissed it as bs back then, but now it seems to make some sense.

96tbird · #2 03-08-2013, 05:49 AM

If you have to constantly tighten your rod you will run out of threads at some point; you do have a problem that needs professional attention and stop it until you get help.

Your friend is wrong, although string tension is causing the need for constant adjustment, it is not a concern on a healthy instrument. Your bass is not healthy; it sounds like the wood is compressing either on the bearing surface of the truss nut or the far end, the internal anchor, it just keeps mashing wood down letting rod tension drop. Get an instrument builder to look at it, a GC tech will be of no help. .

zazz · #3 03-08-2013, 05:54 AM

Not taking anything away from the previous post but the unmentioned option is shimming .... Maybe it's not applicable in this case but I thought it might need a mention.

Srirachaglo · #4 03-08-2013, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96tbird

If you have to constantly tighten your rod you will run out of threads at some point; you do have a problem that needs professional attention and stop it until you get help.

Your friend is wrong, although string tension is causing the need for constant adjustment, it is not a concern on a healthy instrument. Your bass is not healthy; it sounds like the wood is compressing either on the bearing surface of the truss nut or the far end, the internal anchor, it just keeps mashing wood down letting rod tension drop. Get an instrument builder to look at it, a GC tech will be of no help. .

+1 96 knows his stuff. Sounds to me like your neck wood is "green" and/or was improperly cured.

BrandonBass · #5 03-08-2013, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96tbird

If you have to constantly tighten your rod you will run out of threads at some point; you do have a problem that needs professional attention and stop it until you get help.

Your friend is wrong, although string tension is causing the need for constant adjustment, it is not a concern on a healthy instrument. Your bass is not healthy; it sounds like the wood is compressing either on the bearing surface of the truss nut or the far end, the internal anchor, it just keeps mashing wood down letting rod tension drop. Get an instrument builder to look at it, a GC tech will be of no help. .

The neck on my ray is coated with 2thin layers of gunstock only . Maybe I need more protection to stop it from warping?

zazz · #6 03-08-2013, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

The neck on my ray is coated with 2thin layers of gunstock only . Maybe I need more protection to stop it from warping?

Not at all....my stingray neck has been all over the globe in all sorts of environments ..starting off in the uk and now residing the Philippines ....it has seen huge shifts in humidity and is totally rock solid beyond belief.... And it has the gun oil finish....you need to look elsewhere.

Just to clarify ....you have never had to adjust in the other direction?