Finished bass, adding tension to neck again

[Cevarius]

I recently finished up my 5-str SSD, removed paint/finish and stained and oil finished it. The thing is, that it's been a 6-month project in my spare time. It's been without strings or neck tension for that long...I read somewhere about leaving strings on the bass when being stored for long periods of time to help stop neck warping.

Anything I need to know when putting strings on and adjusting the truss rod? Should i gradually increase string tension, or just tune up all the way? Now that the bass is finished, the last thing i want to do is warp the neck...

Thanks,
Cev

[Cliff Bordwell]

Put the strings on, tune it up, then check the relief in the neck.