Get off my LAWN! "Grumpy Old Farts"

[alaskaleftybass]

Thanks all. I bought a cheapie bass for $100. It's in very nice shape except the neck is a bit bowed and I've tightened the truss rod as far as I'm comfortable doing. I wonder if adding some WD-40 down that rod through the top would help it move a bit better?

Also, if I keep turning that counter clockwise will the truss eventually come out?

Thanks in advance!

Pic of Ibanez truss rod:

 

[mikeoso]

As a GOF, not to mention an historian and a combat vet, I am aware of my mortality. In most ways, I'm fine with whenever things wind up...had a worthwhile life. My only worry in that regard is what happens to my parrot rescue when I become unable to run it.

The facility and gear belong to the organization, and the bank accounts etc are in place. There's a board of directors on deck. The only lack is funding to hire someone to manage it...someone who has the skill set and can give it full time. To that end, we have an endowment fund, intended to some day generate enough income to pay that person.

That need got a nice step toward being filled today. We received an unsolicited check in the mail for $100,000 US. The donor is a guy we know who has taken an interest over the years, even though he has no birds of his own. He thought he wanted to help.

Why am I posting about this here? As GOFs, we sometimes become a bit pessimistic about humans and society. I wanted to share this as evidence that there are still some pretty decent humans around. In fact, over the past 22 years, the rescue has received something over a half a million dollars in donated support. Parrot rescue isn't a major need for the US, and I dont compete with the orgs that fill vital human needs. I'm fortunate that there are enough people out there who care to let me do the work.

People don't all suck all the time.

 

[beans-on-toast]

As a GOF, not to mention an historian and a combat vet, I am aware of my mortality. In most ways, I'm fihe with whenever things wind up...had a worthwhile life. My only worry in that regard is what happens to my parrot rescue when I become unable to run it.

The facility and gear belong to the organization, and the bank accounts etc are in place. There's a board of directors on deck. The only lack is funding to hire someone to manage it...someone who has the skill set and can give it full time. To that end, we have an endowment fund, intended to some day generate enough income to pay that person.

That need got a nice step toward being filled today. We received an unsolicited check in the mail for $100,000 US. The donor is a guy we know who has taken an interest over the years, even though he has no birds of his own. He thought he wanted to help.

Why am I posting about this here? As GOFs, we sometimes become a bit pessimistic about humans and society. I wanted to share this as evidence that there are still some pretty decent humans around. In fact, over the past 22 years, the rescue has received something over a half a million dollars in donated support. Parrot rescue isn't a major need for the US, and I dont compete with the orgs that fill vital human needs. I'm fortunate that there are enough people out there who care to let me do the work.

People don't all suck all the time.

A very generous gift. It also allows you to breath easier. Good things do happen in life.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Thanks all. I bought a cheapie bass for $100. It's in very nice shape except the neck is a bit bowed and I've tightened the truss rod as far as I'm comfortable doing. I wonder if adding some WD-40 down that rod through the top would help it move a bit better?

Also, if I keep turning that counter clockwise will the truss eventually come out?

Thanks in advance!

Pic of Ibanez truss rod:

View attachment 3513537

Kind of hard (for me) to see exactly what that truss rod nut is. What is that metal ring around it (assuming the nut, itself, is that "thing" inside it?

You say the neck is bowed; which way is it bowing? Forward, as in the headstock is "forward" of the body, or back bow, as in, the headstock is "behind" the body?

You mentioned tightening the nut, but then you ask about turning the nut CCW which is what you'd do to remove it, which is confusing me. Or, is it just my (lack of) reading comprehension (most likely )?

 

[beans-on-toast]

Thanks all. I bought a cheapie bass for $100. It's in very nice shape except the neck is a bit bowed and I've tightened the truss rod as far as I'm comfortable doing. I wonder if adding some WD-40 down that rod through the top would help it move a bit better?

Also, if I keep turning that counter clockwise will the truss eventually come out?

Thanks in advance!

Pic of Ibanez truss rod:

View attachment 3513537

No, DO NOT use WD-40. It can sludge up the inside. The fretboard glue can also soften. Not a good thing.

First get straight which way to turn the nut. Tighten the truss rod adjusting nut to straighten a neck that has an up-bow. Loosen the nut if the neck is back-bowed.

If you loosen the nut too much, it will come off the thread. The truss rod itself should not come out. At least with the simple type that they use on an inexpensive bass. If you remove the nut from the end of the rod, lubricate it with graphite, vasoline, or lip balm.

A little more info as to what is going on is needed.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

Kind of hard (for me) to see exactly what that truss rod nut is. What is that metal ring around it (assuming the nut, itself, is that "thing" inside it?

You say the neck is bowed; which way is it bowing? Forward, as in the headstock is "forward" of the body, or back bow, as in, the headstock is "behind" the body?

View attachment 3513596

You mentioned tightening the nut, but then you ask about turning the nut CCW which is what you'd do to remove it, which is confusing me. Or, is it just my (lack of) reading comprehension (most likely )?

No, DO NOT use WD-40. It can sludge up the inside. The fretboard glue can also soften. Not a good thing.

First get straight which way to turn the nut. If the strings are too high because there is a bow, you need to loosen the nut by turning counter clockwise.

If you loosen the nut too much, it will come off the thread. The truss rod itself should not come out. At least with the simple type that they use on an inexpensive bass. If you remove the nut from the end of the rod, lubricate it with graphite, vasoline, or lip balm.

A little more info as to what is going on is needed.

Gulp! I've been turning it clockwise. After work I'll stay a little late and ummmm tighten via counter clockwise....... thanks GOF's... very embarrassed...

 

[Jeff Scott]

If the strings are too high because there is a bow, you need to loosen the nut by turning counter clockwise.

If the strings are too high due to a forward bow, the rod needs to be tightened (CW) to get the neck flatter (Pedulla basses are an exception, as their rod works "backwards").

A good rule of thumb when doing so is to gently pull the neck back manually to avoid putting all the work/tension/force on the truss rod, itself, when tightening it (not necessary to do when loosening the rod).

Will, was the bass like this from the start (when you first got it)? Perhaps, the neck could use a bit of "normalizing". Remove the strings and fully slacken the truss rod and let the bass sit for a few days. Then, begin the process of bringing the neck back to playing tension, so to speak, with a combination of bringing the strings up to proper pitch and tightening the truss rod to where it is set correctly to counteract the pull of the strings on the neck.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Which is it that you have, a forward, or backward, bow?

 

[alaskaleftybass]

Which is it that you have, a forward, or backward, bow?

Forward bow. With my 'new' adjustment the neck seems to be getting closer to the fretboard at the 12th fret. Whew. I think, though, I'm going to do what you said about taking the strings off, completely slacking the truss, and letting it set for a week or so. The bass is pretty nice for a cheapo, it sounded like a Music Man the other night when I tried it out.

Thanks everyone for the great advice. When I get the bass set up I'll post pictures.

 

[shadowtippy]

Forward bow. With my 'new' adjustment the neck seems to be getting closer to the fretboard at the 12th fret. Whew. I think, though, I'm going to do what you said about taking the strings off, completely slacking the truss, and letting it set for a week or so. The bass is pretty nice for a cheapo, it sounded like a Music Man the other night when I tried it out.

Thanks everyone for the great advice. When I get the bass set up I'll post pictures.

How about a pic of the bass?

 

[beans-on-toast]

Gulp! I've been turning it clockwise. After work I'll stay a little late and ummmm tighten via counter clockwise....... thanks GOF's... very embarrassed...

You had it right. My post was dyslexic, I clarified it.

 

[beans-on-toast]

If the strings are too high due to a forward bow, the rod needs to be tightened (CW) to get the neck flatter (Pedulla basses are an exception, as their rod works "backwards").

A good rule of thumb when doing so is to gently pull the neck back manually to avoid putting all the work/tension/force on the truss rod, itself, when tightening it (not necessary to do when loosening the rod).

Will, was the bass like this from the start (when you first got it)? Perhaps, the neck could use a bit of "normalizing". Remove the strings and fully slacken the truss rod and let the bass sit for a few days. Then, begin the process of bringing the neck back to playing tension, so to speak, with a combination of bringing the strings up to proper pitch and tightening the truss rod to where it is set correctly to counteract the pull of the strings on the neck.

Fixed my dyslexic post, thanks. Sometimes I have it bad. Do what I mean, not what I say.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Forward bow. With my 'new' adjustment the neck seems to be getting closer to the fretboard at the 12th fret. Whew. I think, though, I'm going to do what you said about taking the strings off, completely slacking the truss, and letting it set for a week or so. The bass is pretty nice for a cheapo, it sounded like a Music Man the other night when I tried it out.

Thanks everyone for the great advice. When I get the bass set up I'll post pictures.

Good news. Best to let the bass sit overnight and check it in the morning. The neck can continue to change. It is easy to overdo it.

This isn’t what you need but sometimes more threads are needed. The tools are way more than the bass is worth. Interesting to see it done.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Fixed my dyslexic post, thanks. Sometimes I have it bad. Do what I mean, not what I say.

Me too, many times! I have found in recent years that my fingers work the computer keyboard differently than what I was thinking/planning on typing. That makes me grumpy, in keeping with the original intent (I think) of this thread. Does anyone really remember what started it all (don't cheat by looking at the first few posts ).

 

[beans-on-toast]

Me too, many times! I have found in recent years that my fingers work the computer keyboard differently than what I was thinking/planning on typing. That makes me grumpy, in keeping with the original intent (I think) of this thread. Does anyone really remember what started it all (don't cheat by looking at the first few posts ).

Yes I do remember.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

Hi all, here's a picture of the first GSR100EXL I donated to the local Salvation Army. Ever since then I've wanted the bass back! The bass I just bought is an identical model to this one. Anyway, tonight after work I removed the strings and released the truss rod completely as suggested by @beans-on-toast to 'normalize' the neck.

Sometime Thursday or Friday I'll restring the bass and gently coax the neck. A good thing is my office is a computer room so it's temperature and humidity is as controlled as a laboratory.

Anyway, the first version of the bass I sold (which I just acquired again last week):

Luckily, the second one I just received is as immaculate as the first one. If you ever see one of these odd guys sitting in a music store please try it out. You'll be amazed at how punchy it sounds. It really reminds me of a Music Man. Growly and aggressive. Even though it's passive!

 

[mikeoso]

That total black is very cool. If I played electric, that's one I'd want.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Hi all, here's a picture of the first GSR100EXL I donated to the local Salvation Army. Ever since then I've wanted the bass back! The bass I just bought is an identical model to this one. Anyway, tonight after work I removed the strings and released the truss rod completely as suggested by @Jeff Scott to 'normalize' the neck.

Sometime Thursday or Friday I'll restring the bass and gently coax the neck. A good thing is my office is a computer room so it's temperature and humidity as controlled as a laboratory.

Anyway, the first version of the bass I sold (which I just acquired again last week):

View attachment 3513829

Luckily, the second one I just received is as immaculate as the first one. If you ever see one of these odd guys sitting in a music store please try it out. You'll be amazed at how punchy it sounds. It really reminds me of a Music Man. Growly and aggressive. Even though it's passive!

It was Jeff that suggested destressing the neck. I was just thinking that.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

It was Jeff that suggested destressing the neck. I was just thinking that.

Thanks Jeff. I'm so used to you, Mr. Beans offering up always helpful information.

 

[GonePlaid]

Thanks Jeff. I'm so used to you, Mr. Beans offering up always helpful information.

I've never taken a set completely off(unless changing), but I've loosened them to 'floppy' if I know I'm not gonna be playing a particular bass for awhile. Even found an effective way to oil fretboards w/o taking strings off: a piece of wax paper between the strings and the rag/paper towel used to apply fret oil(and the one used to wipe off excess).