Truss Rod DOA?

[elderdawg]

Picked up a Sterling Ray4 off of Reverb from a Sam Ash NY store. They said it was a showroom model that was thoroughly checked out and in mint condition. They shipped it with strings completely loose, which over a 4 day shipping period, I would think would not be recommended. I noticed before tuning up, there was severe reverse neck bow, but thought when tuned up it would start showing some relief, especially since Sam Ash stated it checked out perfect. But tuning up made little impact. So loosened truss rod 1 turn, which did straighten neck out a little, but still no signs of relief.

My question is....I know when tightening the truss rod, it should be done in 1/4 steps with some pause. Does that apply to loosening also?

edit. I have now loosened truss rod almost all the way and the neck remains "humped".

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Loosening or tightening the truss rod, just adjust it to where it needs to be, don’t worry about 1/4 turns and wait. At worst, you’ll overshoot and have to adjust the other way a little the next day. Having said that, it’s never a bad idea to loosen the strings or pull the neck in the direction it needs to go when tightening the truss rod, I.E. straightening the neck.

What does the neck look like with no string tension and no tension on the truss rod? Ideally it should be straight or nearly so.

 

[elderdawg]

Loosening or tightening the truss rod, just adjust it to where it needs to be, don’t worry about 1/4 turns and wait. At worst, you’ll overshoot and have to adjust the other way a little the next day. Having said that, it’s never a bad idea to loosen the strings or pull the neck in the direction it needs to go when tightening the truss rod, I.E. straightening the neck.

What does the neck look like with no string tension and no tension on the truss rod? Ideally it should be straight or nearly so.

When bass was unboxed, strings were completely loose, and the neck was probably 1/4" higher at the 7th fret than at nut or bridge, with the truss rod pretty tight. Completely loosening the truss rod still leaves a slight hump on G string side, and no relief at all on E string side. I say it gets returned to Sam Ash if it doesn't show some relief by tomorrow.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Yeah, with a single acting, single rod system, which is what I think those have, there’s no way to force relief into the neck without heat treating or something like that. If it was a sentimental or “magic” instrument I’d suggest warpedneck.com but if you’re not attached I’d say completely loosen the truss rod and leave it tuned to pitch overnight. If there’s no relief after that, return it.

 

[Turnaround]

So loosened truss rod 1 turn, which did straighten neck out a little, but still no signs of relief.

Completely loosen the truss rod and re-evaluate. If the neck is nearly flat with the strings and truss rod completely loose, there should be some relief when the strings are brought to tension.

 

[coalbass]

Try some higher tension strings with truss rod still loosened and evaluate relief again.

 

[elderdawg]

I am leaving it tuned up one step for 24 hrs, then back off to see if it shows signs of relief.

I wonder if Sam Ash says I have their 1 year warrantee, would it cover a back-bowed neck, with truss rod completely loosened, if somewhere over the next 12 months it needs neck work? I think I will contact them tomorrow. I like the bass and want it to work since it is a harder to find Ray4 vintage white but feel a little uneasy buying and keeping a bass with issues right out of the box, when I could return.

Fingers crossed that it adjusts and bows back some in my basement man-cave studio.

 

[Hectobar]

I wouldn’t overthink it. Basses aren’t super fragile and are meant to be adjusted.

Tune it to pitch then adjust the truss for best playing experience. If it moves, adjust the truss some more.

then rock it!

 

[elderdawg]

I wouldn’t overthink it. Basses aren’t super fragile and are meant to be adjusted.

Tune it to pitch then adjust the truss for best playing experience. If it moves, adjust the truss some more.

then rock it!

Truss rod was spinning loose when it needed to be "unscrewing" to allow some bow. Sam Ash has agreed to pay for return shipping, and give a refund.