Truss rod Problems AM STD jazz

[Theorybass'd]

I wondering if some of you could help me: I recently bought a second hand Fender American Standard Jazz Bass in immaculate condition except for one thing. It feels like the truss rod is at the end of being tightened.

Here's the back story, the owner never changed the strings on the bass for the 3 years he (only owner) owned it. I know weird, he liked the dull round wound sound. Anyway, because of this I believe he has turned the rod all the way to get the "lowest action possible". I can back this up because the saddles on the bridge have also been lowered as low as possible.

Anyway the question that I'm hoping the answer is better than what I can see. Do you think I'm able to take the strings off, wind the truss rod back a bit so it's not super tight and let the wood settle for a bit or is the neck pretty much gone?

Please let me know! This wasn't cheap

 

[Ghastly]

It sounds reasonable to me, but don't take my word for it. Perhaps reducing tension over several days until the strings are loose enough to remove, then letting the neck sit a few days and then backing off the truss (what you said, basically)?

 

[Wallace320]

The fact that trussrod is tighten at its max doesn't necessarily mean that it's gone, or down an'out
On american standard necks are excellent and reinforced. Again, this doesn't necessarily mean that tighten trussrod is dead n'gone
Just loosen strings enough to let neck breath, then loosen trussrod as well. Cut those silly strings away (THOSE are dead) get your strings of choice and try an'find a balance between correct tension, correct action and perfect pitch and intonation and... well, let's wait n'see if everythin's ok.

Cheers,
Wallace

 

[Turnaround]

Take the strings off and loosen the truss rod until there's no tension on it. Then check to see how straight the neck is with neither string nor truss rod tension. If it's nearly flat, the neck is in good shape. If the truss rod is as tight as it will go when the strings are on and the truss rod is fully tightened, you need to remove the truss rod nut and put one or two washers on the truss rod before re-installing the nut. That should give you more adjustment room to set the neck to proper relief.

 

[Theorybass'd]

Thanks a lot guys really helpful! I've put my new strings on and that's the result of tighter strings been on the neck. I'm going to loosen them right off and turn the nut down. I think it should balance a bit better. That washer idea sounds great. Thank you

 

[walterw]

Do you think I'm able to take the strings off, wind the truss rod back a bit so it's not super tight and let the wood settle for a bit or is the neck pretty much gone?

this is the wrong question;

what's the actual neck relief? if the neck is straight, then you don't need to mess with the rod at all.