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Bunker tension free neck adjust

Discussion in 'Hardware, Setup & Repair [BG]' started by groooooove, Jun 6, 2019.

  1. Jun 6, 2019 #1
    groooooove

    groooooove Supporting Member

    Dec 17, 2008
    Long Island, NY
    hey all,

    i know there are other threads on this. but none seem clear.

    i just got a USATK bass, and i really dig it. but i can't figure out this neck. i've actually taken the neck off the bass because i couldn't access the hex nut while it was on..

    it appears to me that tightening the bolt introduces more bow. I want to get the neck straight, or nearly straight. is there a way to do this? is heat treating it an option?

    let me know!
     
  2. Jun 6, 2019 #2
    Kriegs

    Kriegs

    Feb 14, 2018
    Turn it the opposite way?
     
  3. Jun 6, 2019 #3
    groooooove

    groooooove Supporting Member

    Dec 17, 2008
    Long Island, NY
    probably should add that there is significant bow in the neck even with the neck off the body.

    i've read elsewhere that "you can turn in either direction to add/remove tension," but loosening the bolt just removes the bolt, tightening adds tension. i don't see how this can be 2-way adjustable?
     
  4. Jun 6, 2019 #4
    groooooove

    groooooove Supporting Member

    Dec 17, 2008
    Long Island, NY
    yeah forgot to add, that just removes the bolt. no straightening of the neck
     
  5. Jun 6, 2019 #5
    Kriegs

    Kriegs

    Feb 14, 2018
    You might have to manually assist the neck in moving in the direction that you want, loosen the rod, then slowly and gently apply pressure to the neck to help the wood get to the shape you're looking for.
     
  6. Jun 6, 2019 #6
    groooooove

    groooooove Supporting Member

    Dec 17, 2008
    Long Island, NY
    i've seen that work with normal truss rods.

    again, the neck is not on the body right now, and it's natural shape is bowed. i don't think nudging the wood will help - unless there's something i'm missing
     
  7. Jun 6, 2019 #7
    Kriegs

    Kriegs

    Feb 14, 2018
    I'm sure that someone smarter than us will be along soon to help :thumbsup:
     
  8. Jun 6, 2019 #8
    JLS

    JLS Supporting Member

    Sep 12, 2008
    Albuquerque, NM
    I setup & repair guitars & basses
  9. Jun 6, 2019 #9
    groooooove

    groooooove Supporting Member

    Dec 17, 2008
    Long Island, NY
    obviously i read that a few times before posting, and and thats sort of what creates my confusion.

    i can only add forward bow, i cant straighten it.

    the neck naturally has a bit of bow already. string tension (as per bunkers description) does not seem to add any relief, but nonetheless i can't get the neck closer to straight.

    trying to return this bass (reverb seller giving me a hard time about the neck..) but still interested in what the underlying problem is.
     
  10. Jun 6, 2019 #10
    sissy kathy

    sissy kathy Back to Bass-ics Gold Supporting Member

    Apr 21, 2014
    Arbutus, MD
    The under lying problem is the neck is bowed so that you have permanent relief. Every solution is going to cost you time and/or money. You can:
    1) Live with it.
    2) Defret the neck, plane it smooth and refret.
    3) Defret the neck, plane it smooth and make it a fretless.
    4) Clamp it into a slight back bow, apply heat and let it cool before unclamping (keeping your fingers crossed)
    5) Send it to someone that will do one of the above.
    6) Return it.
    7) Sell it.
    8) Burn it.
    Lots of options.
     
    Last edited: Jun 6, 2019
    Bruce Johnson, Kriegs and JLS like this.
  11. Jun 6, 2019 #11
    JLS

    JLS Supporting Member

    Sep 12, 2008
    Albuquerque, NM
    I setup & repair guitars & basses
    I liked #5...
     
    sissy kathy likes this.
  12. Jun 6, 2019 #12
    Kriegs

    Kriegs

    Feb 14, 2018
    See? I told you :thumbsup:
     
  13. Jun 6, 2019 #13
    Matt Liebenau

    Matt Liebenau

    Jul 7, 2013
    Ogden, Utah
  14. Jun 6, 2019 #14
    Zooberwerx

    Zooberwerx Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 21, 2002
    Virginia Beach, VA
    The neck will not adjust if the neck is removed as the mechanism relies on locking nut / washer which resides between the neck and heel. The access (...last I heard) is either amongst the neck screws or thru the fretboard. In all fairness, I do recall one instance here on TB where neither existed...don't remember how that turned out but now it's starting to bug me.

    Post some pics if you would, please!

    Edit: it's a glorified wheel-puller. CW introduces more bow, CCW straightens out the neck.

    Riis