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Leaving Precision neck unmounted?

#8
If you loosen the truss rod, you have a piece of wood. If it was dried properly, it'll be very stable. Less forces = more stability in general. If all the Fender necks from the 60's were stored without strings on them, and we put them on basses today, we wouldn't have discussions about ski jumps - the force that the strings put on a neck, especially if you're using heavier string gauges, do things like that over time.

I like light gauge strings - in large part, because they allow me to play all the styles I like with less forces on my wrists. But there is also a benefit in terms of neck stability - light string tension means the neck is less likely to go places you don't want it to. No strings is another step in this direction - no net forces, no unwanted movement from those forces.
 
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#12
I worked on a 60s strat earlier this year that had been left without strings on for years (they weren’t sure how long exactly but 10-20) and it had a bad backbow that rendered it unplayable without extensive work which the owner declined to do.

I would definitely slack the truss rod it it’s not going to be under tension for a long time.
 
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#13
Truss rods work like braces for your teeth. They gradually pull in the opposite direction of the strings thereby cancelled out the effect of string pull. Without the strings the rods still pull in the opposite direction but without the resistance. This will eventually result in a back bow. Whether or not it become permanent depends on how long the neck is off, the humidity and temperature, the overall integrity of the piece of wood, and how long you allow the neck to return to its original shape after restringing it. If the neck was off a few weeks and you put it on with the same strings intact, it should be fine immediately. Years in your attic without heat may mean a ruined neck. Each case is unique.
 
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#15
jimmyjames77 said:
Question: what will happen if I leave my P neck unmounted and not under tension?
I’ve got a Squier Classic Vibe neck I’ve taken off my precision. Will it warp or permanently go bad if left without tension for a long period of time?
Click to expand...

Do not expose it to hight temperatures or significant humidity changes.
If it would be me, I'd set it up so is straight. This way, you can easily notice any changes.
 
#18
Patrice B said:
I have a Squier PBass neck hung on the wall in controlled humidity set straight. Should I loose the truss rod?
Click to expand...
The truss rod is there to counter the tension of the strings. So if you have strings on it at tension you should counter with tension on the truss rod. No string tension - no truss rod tension.
 
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#19
If I am storing a bass (or guitar) in its case or even just not going to play it for a longer period of time I always loosen the strings a bit to relieve the strain. Some tension is good however strain is not I always lived by. Also, natural warping seems to happen when humidity and moisture are involved for consistent and long periods of time. Take care of your gear and house and store it in a good environment you'll not have as great of chance for issues.
 
#20
jimmyjames77 said:
Question: what will happen if I leave my P neck unmounted and not under tension?
I’ve got a Squier Classic Vibe neck I’ve taken off my precision. Will it warp or permanently go bad if left without tension for a long period of time?
Click to expand...
Loosen your truss rod and it will be fine.
 
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