How often do you tighten your truss rod

[fhm555]

I've never seen a bass or guitar with a philips head for the truss rod nut. I assume that you're referring to cross-slotted heads like on vintage/vintage-style Fenders, for which you shouldn't use a philips driver as you risk damaging the nut - these are designed to be turned with a flat-headed screwdriver, and do not match the shape of a philips driver. As I mentioned earlier in this thread, there is a method for doing this which doesn't require the neck to be removed.

I couldn't remember if it was Phillips or crossed slots. Guess I guessed wrong.

 

[Turnaround]

How often do you tighten your truss rod?

About as often as I loosen it.

This may seem like a flippant answer, but it isn't. The point is that if you are always tightening and never loosening, something's wrong.

 

[craigmack1979]

I adjust the truss rod on all my basses twice a year - once in the spring, and once in the fall. I setup my action so my basses are on the threshold of fret buzz. In other words, if I dig in, I get a bit of fret buzz.

I live in Canada, so when the furnace kicks in, I adjust the truss rod. In the spring, when the a/c kicks in, I adjust the truss rod the other way. Usually it's less than a quarter turn.

My Geddy should have the neck removed to adjust the truss rod, but I modified the body so I don't have to remove the neck. I took a Demel and cut out a little channel in the body just below where the neck joins the body so I can access the truss rod. I then cut out a small channel in the pickguard, so now the truss rod is accessible without removing the neck.
View attachment 4715043

Brilliant !!

 

[rufus.K]

After initial set up, I've had 1 bass adjusted (truss rod) once in 25 years.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

Depends. Am. Std. Fenders once a year maybe, maybe not at all. Squier ones at least twice a year.

 

[totalnoob]

"Truss rod" hahahahha
View attachment 4721962

What are these? I'd like to know more! Looks like at least two of them have... aluminium in the neck? Maybe also the first on the left? I assume these never need any adjustment, ever.

 

[TTPbass1]

I adjust them (tight/loose) about twice a year on my Fenders, December and July. Almost never on my Laklands (55-02, 44-64)

 

[Turnaround]

When you ask 'how often do you adjust your truss rod", you will get answers from "never" to "frequently". I'm not sure what value there is in asking the question. The response is entirely predictable.

If you are fussy about really low action, you will probably be aware of seasonal changes in your neck's geometry. And despite those that say their neck never varies, I have to say that if it is wood it changes - you just don't notice it. While playing I notice changes in the relief of my neck in the neighbourhood of about 2 thousandths of an inch. And I adjust the neck whenever I notice a change. That translates to 10 to 20 times a year. For me it's not big deal. I may even do it between sets at a gig - or even between songs at rehearsal. It takes seconds, not even minutes.

And I agree with comments from others who say that if you are always tightening and not loosening, there's something wrong. And often it is that the neck wood is of poor quality.