To loosen or not?

[Psyc]

Hi all. I have a question that I've been thinking about for the last few minutes. I just finished playing on my bass, and as I was cleaning her as I usually do after a session. I realised that I tend to loosen my strings before I pack her away. Is this abnormal behaviour? And is loosening and tightening them so often okay? Or will I regret it in the long run? Basically I would like to know whether to loosen them after practice or not.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I would only loosen the strings if I planned to store the bass for an extended period. I have no scientific information to base my opinion on, but IMO the neck is expecting a certain amount of tension. I'm not sure what the constant change in tension does to the wood, the truss rod, or the neck bolts. I think this belongs in the luthier's corner rather than in strings.
But, last week I pulled out a bass I had not played in about 3 years. I took it out of the case and other than a slightly flat E, it was in tune and I played it. Then I cleaned it and put it back in the case.

 

[StevieMac]

The truss rod is there to compensate for the tension of the strings when they are tuned to pitch so there is no reason to loosen the strings.

 

[Arial Bender]

Not

 

[Ewo]

Short answer: No, don't loosen the strings each time you put it down.

Longer answer: The neck is in an equilibrium state between the forward bow exerted by the string tension and the back bow exerted by the truss rod. Stability is good for it.

 

[lz4005]

If the bass is structurally sound don't loosen under normal circumstances.

Sometimes I'll down tune a half step or so if I'm storing a bass for several months. Seasonal changes here can make basses go sharp by up to three half tones.

The only one I routinely detune for short-term storage is an inexpensive acoustic that's beginning to have some issues with the bridge pulling up.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

If the bass is structurally sound don't loosen under normal circumstances.

Sometimes I'll down tune a half step or so if I'm storing a bass for several months. Seasonal changes here can make basses go sharp by up to three half tones.

The only one I routinely detune for short-term storage is an inexpensive acoustic that's beginning to have some issues with the bridge pulling up.

Acoustics are a whole different beast. Where are you that it gets that cold? And don't you have any place in your house that you can keep the temp and humidity stable? I have a closet that has an A/C system vent in it and I keep all my guitars and basses both acoustic and electric in. Were I in a drier climate, I would put a humidifier in the closet.

 

[GIBrat51]

No, that's generally not a good idea. As others have said, the truss rod, if set correctly, will counter-act the string tension, and keep the neck where you want it. Sitting unplayed for a while won't hurt it. I have a couple dozen stringed instruments (most of which are basses), and except for a couple which are out all the time, get rotated out, 2-3 at a time, each month to get some play and TLC. They are always strung up to pitch when they go back. Never had a problem; well, except for the banjo, a cantankerous old Ode that goes out of tune if you look at it wrong. I have 4 instruments with no strings at the moment; the truss rods are just tight enough to keep the necks straight (except for the Kramer; aluminum necks don't have them). The only thing I have with slackened strings is a Frankenstein 12-string Epiphone; if I tuned it up tonight, the neck would probably come clean off tomorrow. It's just a wall-hanger.

 

[lz4005]

Acoustics are a whole different beast. Where are you that it gets that cold? And don't you have any place in your house that you can keep the temp and humidity stable? I have a closet that has an A/C system vent in it and I keep all my guitars and basses both acoustic and electric in. Were I in a drier climate, I would put a humidifier in the closet.

It's changes in humidity, not temperature.
I have about 95 guitars and basses. They don't live in my house. I keep them in an office that is temperature controlled, and somewhat humidity controlled, but the necks still move over the course of the year.

 

[JustForSport]

If you're referring to a bass that's known for the trussrod nuts settling into the wood and then needing washers to get some more threads avail (for a while), I'd loosen the strings (a couple tones) AND trussrod to keep the neck straight, but only if it's to be laid-up for weeks or more. Basses with dual-acting trussrods should be fine left as they are, but I'd still treat them the same if they were to be laid-up for months and had large temp/humidity swings.
Loosening and then retuning daily or even every couple/few days will just kill the strings quicker, and wear out the tuners and nut slots sooner.

 

[Psyc]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the replies. At least now I have the knowledge to know that I should change that old habit of mine.

 

[MrLenny1]

Nope. Leave it alone.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

It's changes in humidity, not temperature.
I have about 95 guitars and basses. They don't live in my house. I keep them in an office that is temperature controlled, and somewhat humidity controlled, but the necks still move over the course of the year.

Humidity is the larger factor, but temperature will certainly make a difference. Tune an instrument in a warm house, say 75. Take it outside where it is 40 and let it sit for an hour. Now, check your tuning. Metal contracts and expands with temperature changes. Strings are made of metal and they are attached to the neck; therefore, tensinon on the neck is affected by temperature. The humidity has more effect on the wood which will swell and shrink with humidity changes.

 

[lz4005]

Humidity is the larger factor, but temperature will certainly make a difference. Tune an instrument in a warm house, say 75. Take it outside where it is 40 and let it sit for an hour. Now, check your tuning. Metal contracts and expands with temperature changes. Strings are made of metal and they are attached to the neck; therefore, tensinon on the neck is affected by temperature. The humidity has more effect on the wood which will swell and shrink with humidity changes.

In my case humidity is the only factor, since the instruments are kept at a constant temperature while the humidity varies.