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Double Bass Bow or Curvature in the Neck

Treyzer

Treyzer

Supporting Member
Jul 8, 2008
1,802
771
76
Summerlin, Nevada
#1
I've been looking at a lot of different threads trying to find some info on the bow (curvature)? that is typically put into a string bass neck. What I mean is at the nut you have a very slight clearance and at the end of the fingerboard you have another clearance, but somewhere around the 7th position the string height is higher than at the end of the fingerboard. What height range is considered normal and or playable and when does it begin to be too much? Can the weather affect the bow in the fingerboard? I live in Hawaii and suspect the weather plays a huge part. Mahalo (thanks) in advance for any and all insight & help... :ninja:
 
#2
Sounds to me like you need some work done... it's not meant to be higher at 7th position. Almost equal, but there should be a continuous increase from nut to end of fingerboard; it's just that about 2/3 of that increase happens between 1st and 7th position.

Yes, the weather can affect this.

I just had the exact same thing done on my bass, and the difference in playability is immense. It's not going to be that cheap of a job, depending on what has to be done to fix it, but it will be worth it.
 
#3
Trey, are you talking about the fingerboard? Typically, the board is scooped in the center to some degree, to allow for the oscillation of the string, which of course is greater in the center than at the ends. Some strings, like guts or Velvet Animas, require a little more scoop than others.

Forgive me if I'm misinterpreting your question. There are a bunch of great DB luthiers here who will be along to say it better than I did.

PS.... check it out.... three guys out in the middle of the Pacific, all posting in a row! :cool:
 
#4
Aloha Marcus,

Yea, I'm talking about the fingerboard. I just began to notice that the neck seems to dip quite a bit around the 7th position. I know it's supposed to curve a little, but what is the general rule? Both my old bass and my much newer bass have a bit of bow. The newer bass seems to have a pretty severe bow; especially after I put on a new set of Pirastro Jazzers.

I love it out here in the islands but it would be great to have a good, solid luthier visit once in awhile.. Any luthier who are planning a Hawaiian vacation could probably clean up... on second thought, it probably wouldn't be much of a vacation with all us bass nerds bugging him.. ha ha

Trey
 
#6
Sit the bass on your lap so you're looking down at the neck or E-string. Put on finger on the first fret F of the E-string then with the other hand put a finger on you last fret, the one closest to your pickups. If the string lies on the middle frets the neck has bowed out and needs tightening. Before adjusting your trus-rod loosen it first, counter clock wise. Wait a few minutes then tighten it up slowly, no more than a quarter turn at a time. Take your time your not in a rush here. Keeping doing that till the truss rod tightens and you see a cap at the middle frets. If the truss rod doesn't tighten it might be stuck, tap the back of the neck lightly to get it moving. If it still doesn't tighten or you're not comfortable doing this take it to a repair guy. It might charge 25-50-bucks to do the same thing.
It's an easy operation, though weather has a lot to do with neck movement. I live near Toronto Canada. I bought a Fernades, Japan bass that that wouldn't tighten. I sent it to California and it was fine. The guy there understood and sent me a new neck, that one was fine...... Go Figure.
 
#9
Aloha BassMikeyD,

Thanks, I appreciate all the help. However, most Double basses don't have those truss rod things. The experts provide a lot of reasons why they don't. Maybe I wasn't clear that I was dealing with an upright (double bass). Anyway, Mahalo for your time and energy!
 

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