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Neck issues

Hopkins

Hopkins

Commercial User
Nov 17, 2010
13,967
7,058
44
Houston Tx
Disclosures
Owner/Builder @Hopkins Guitars
#1
I've got a P bass that has to much relief in the neck. The truss rod will only adjust it to a point and will not adjust beyond it. The nut isn't bottomed out, it just won't go beyond about .035 relief.

With the neck off and the nut backed off it has a rather large amount of front bow. Is this neck salvageable or should I just get another one and be done with it?
 
#2
Hopkins said:
I've got a P bass that has to much relief in the neck. The truss rod will only adjust it to a point and will not adjust beyond it. The nut isn't bottomed out, it just won't go beyond about .035 relief.

With the neck off and the nut backed off it has a rather large amount of front bow. Is this neck salvageable or should I just get another one and be done with it?
Click to expand...

Is this an old neck or new neck? Is this a Fender? Where was it made? With the strings totally loosened, can the truss rod be tightened enough to give noticeable back bow?
 
#3
Slowgypsy said:
Is this an old neck or new neck? Is this a Fender? Where was it made? With the strings totally loosened, can the truss rod be tightened enough to give noticeable back bow?
Click to expand...

2 years old, Mexican Fender. With the neck off of the bass I can get it close to flat, but it still has a little relief.
 
#4
I know you mentioned that the nut wasn't bottomed out yet, but perhaps the threads on the truss rod are? Have you tried to use the spacer method? That involves adding a spacer and then putting the nut on... sometimes that's all you need. It's a place to start. Also, is this something that's been there since day one, or has it just developed? Did you buy the bass new?
 
#5
Slowgypsy said:
I know you mentioned that the nut wasn't bottomed out yet, but perhaps the threads on the truss rod are? Have you tried to use the spacer method? That involves adding a spacer and then putting the nut on... sometimes that's all you need. It's a place to start. Also, is this something that's been there since day one, or has it just developed? Did you buy the bass new?
Click to expand...

Yes, Ive already tried the spacer it didn't help. It was a craigslist bass, and its had this problem from the start.
 
#6
There is the possibility of a manufacturing flaw. The truss rod slot is supposed to have a bow in it, so when the truss rod is tightened up, it tries to straighten out and pushed against the bow in the slot which bends the neck. It's possible that the slot in your neck doesn't have enough bow, or the wood has gotten soft or compressed so the truss rod doesn't have anything to push against. It's just a thought. If you really, really loved the neck and wanted to get it fixed, it's certainly possible.
 
#7
Hopkins said:
Yes, Ive already tried the spacer it didn't help. It was a craigslist bass, and its had this problem from the start.
Click to expand...

Try spacers, and back clamp the neck so that it has a backbow. Tighten the trussrod nut, see if that gained you anything.

I do this with the strings on, tuned to pitch, with length of 2x4, and slotted cauls to hold it above the strings.
 
#8
Slowgypsy, I have no attachment to that neck, an I will be happy to replace it. I prefer a maple board anyway :)

Jls, I have already clamped it into a back bow with the neck off of the guitar. When i tightened the truss rod and loosend the clamp it went back into a front bow. I see a new neck in my near future :)

thanks
Paul
 

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