Do necks change permanently?

[dabass]

Just wondering if a bass is set with really high action for 5 or 6 years will the neck changes be irreversable? Will the relief set in the neck change the instrument permanently or effect it's playability? (dead spots ect). Particulary a maple neck with an ebony board?

 

[Ray Holt]

Well, I'm sure someone else with a bit more experience will chime in, but I'm pretty sure it's always reversible.

I've heard all different techniques for getting a bow either way out.

One of my fellow instructors was repairing an old jazz box last week that had a neck with a SEVERE forward bow. He turned it over (top facing down) put the neck up on a neck rest (at the nut) and put a heavy sand bag on the middle of the neck... and left it for a few days. It worked for him!

Does this bass have a truss rod in it? Have you tried adjusting that?

 

[Suburban]

CAn be fixed, with more or less effort. The easiest way is to apply an external backbow for a while and tighten the truss before release. If nothing else works, you can always carve in a wooden neck.