I just received a new Yamaha BB735a 5 string bass with the stock D’Addario .45 thru 130 XL strings. It was poorly set up on arrival with a back bow to the neck causing fret buzz all over the neck. I completely loosened the truss rod and the buzzing still continued along the first fret. Knowing it was dual action I kept turning the truss rod to make a forward bow in the neck and once the strings were tuned to pitch it had proper relief to the neck. After some minor adjustments to the bridge the bass plays very well now, however, I did notice some fret sprouting to the upper register on the g string side of the neck. I can still return the bass if I’d like to.
Now to my question. I have been setting up my own basses for many years and have always needed to adjust the truss rod by tightening the rod (into a back bow direction) to achieve proper neck action/relief under a standard string sets tension. Should I be concerned at all about this neck needing a forward bow to put the neck into a proper playing position with standard gauge strings? I have not experienced the need to do this with a bass before. I get that this is what a dual action truss rod is for, I’m just not sure if it is normal under a standard string gauge tension.
Now to my question. I have been setting up my own basses for many years and have always needed to adjust the truss rod by tightening the rod (into a back bow direction) to achieve proper neck action/relief under a standard string sets tension. Should I be concerned at all about this neck needing a forward bow to put the neck into a proper playing position with standard gauge strings? I have not experienced the need to do this with a bass before. I get that this is what a dual action truss rod is for, I’m just not sure if it is normal under a standard string gauge tension.
Last edited:
