neck starting to bend after only 1 week. problem?

[jordan_frerichs]

I was playing the bass i just finished last thursday, and noticed that today the high frets just buzzed when i fretted them. i checked the neck, and realized it is starting to bow from string tension already. Is this normal? i am wooried that i did something wrong in making the neck. too much angle on the scarf joint? making the neck way to thin? laminating maple pieces so the faces wear visable instead of the sides, when you view the neck back? luckily it is a bolt on, so i can replAce it if i have to. i just want to know, is this normal for newly made instuments, or did i mess up?

[Ric5]

Before you replace the neck try doing a setup ... maybe a change in humidity has brought on the need for a truss rod adjustment ...

[fenderhutz]

Originally Posted by Ric5

Before you replace the neck try doing a setup ... maybe a change in humidity has brought on the need for a truss rod adjustment ...

+1

Most music stores can't keep the facilities humid enough. So your neck probably absorbed some humidity and lost some stiffness.

[jordan_frerichs]

thanx. the bend is more on the "bass side" than the treble side. what all can i do to lengthen the life of the neck?

[Nelson Guitars]

I have learned to string up and resist playing for at least a day or two. These things move all around when first strung up. I do a rough set up after about two or three days and then a "real set up" a week later. Sometimes a last set up a month down the road.

Greg N

[Robybass]

If after the last setup is still bend, you can try this. http://www.lmii.com/CartTwo/thirdpro...er=Neck+Heater

[erikbojerik]

Originally Posted by Nelson Guitars

I have learned to string up and resist playing for at least a day or two. These things move all around when first strung up. I do a rough set up after about two or three days and then a "real set up" a week later. Sometimes a last set up a month down the road.

+1

[Madcity Fats]

Originally Posted by Nelson Guitars

I have learned to string up and resist playing for at least a day or two. These things move all around when first strung up. I do a rough set up after about two or three days and then a "real set up" a week later. Sometimes a last set up a month down the road.

This, IMO, is the biggest reason to learn to do your own basic setups. I can't tell you the number of times I've walked out of a repair shop with things just right, only to find that the neck has "settled" a few days later and things aren't quite where I want them anymore.

Of course, a good tech will understand this and should be willing to do minor tweaks after the fact if things don't stay put. Still, that means another trip to the shop.

Now if I need fretwork done or something is seriously out of whack, I'll take it to a pro. But once you've settled on string gauge, whatever tweaks are necessary between string changes or seasons are generally minor and can easily be accomplished with the right tools and a little patience.

Sorry for the hijack. Good luck with the neck.

[lundborg]

Originally Posted by jordan_frerichs

thanx. the bend is more on the "bass side" than the treble side. what all can i do to lengthen the life of the neck?

Is the bend along the neck (bow), or is it twisted (radially)?

Obviously you can adjust a bow with the truss rod...
(an S-curve would require heat pressing or such though).
If it is twisted, then I think you're in deep trouble.

I took apart a twisted Schecter 24-fret neck the other day,
in that case the route for the truss rod was made too much
to one side, so it seems the rod when tensioned caused the
neck to twist.

But I guess if you're unlucky (unskillful?) when you pick the
piece(s) of wood for the neck, it will twist when humidity changes.

I'm trying to learn these things myself, so I'm curious to know.

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by jordan_frerichs

laminating maple pieces so the faces wear visable instead of the sides, when you view the neck back?

Do you mean in layers like plywood? That wont be very strong unless they are curved like the original NS Double bass. You need to have the laminations on end.

Did you use any extra reinforcement like carbon/graphite? What kind of truss rod do you have? Have you tried tightening it? (and always loosen the strings first, and if need be, bend the neck to the proper relief by hand, and then tighten the rod and tune it back up).

Every neck could benefit from carbon/graphite reinforcement. It also gets rid of dead spots in the neck.

How many strings is it? I use two truss rods on anything more than 4 strings so I can adjust each side separately. Necks do change after you string them up, and the tone of the bass changes too. When I first string them up and play them, they are bright and tight sounding. After they break in they sound warmer, and I do have to tighten the truss rods. I always play my basses when I first string them up. I think it helps them break in.