TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Hi all
I seem to have a bit of an unhealthy fixation/obsession with neck relief.
My Fender P (USA) has very little relief, around 0.2-0.3mm, and the action at the 12th fret is 1.2mm. Which is really quite a good set up in all honesty. But I can't stop checking the relief (multiple times a day) and it kind of winds me up that there's even a little bit!
I think my main issue is that I've had so many basses with frozen or maxed truss rods that I can't be satisfied until I have no neck relief at all. I'm really nervous because I adjusted the rod on my Fender and it was all fine, but then I tried to adjust it more and it wouldn't go any further. So I'm kinda cacking myself that the rod on this one is maxed too.
It's probably not - I think this because I sold one bass a while back because I thought the rod was maxed (don't worry, the buyer knew the issues) and the buyer told me that it worked fine for him, so it's probably just me being too afraid to put any sort of elbow grease into it.
My Squier CV P has no relief at all, totally flat, and I haven't touched the rod on that one.
You're supposed to have a bit of relief. It will buzz if you have low action and no relief, at all.
And your question is![]()
You identified the problem. You're obsessing. Stop obsessing - problem solved!
Boy!
I just love folks like you, and I just love
the obsessed folks on the other end of
the scale also...
Tabdog
Buy yourself a parakeet, or some tropical fish.
For $90, I got a custom made bass with
a neck problem. It had a $120 case. It has
a solid figured curly maple body and a 5
piece neck through construction with EMG
pickups. It didn't cost me any money to fix
it.
![]()
If you search really hard, you may find a Sub-Forum that you haven't posted this bass in yet.
I can't stop obsessing,
Tabdog
better yet, get a gig and use the bass like it was meant for!Buy yourself a parakeet, or some tropical fish.
I know it's hard to do but throw away that ruler and go by feel alone. If it "feels" right it is right.
I know it's hard to do but throw away that ruler and go by feel alone. If it "feels" right it is right.