• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Truss rod question

Johntheson

Johntheson

Guest
Apr 10, 2011
201
7
Newport News,Va
#1
I've got 2 Fender basses; a 64 Jazz and a new 62 AVRI P bass. I like the action as low as I can get it without buzz. My question is this. When you guys adjust your TR; is the rod free flowing so easy that you only need to use finget pressure to turn it; or does it start to feel tight as you lower the action?

I don't mean so tight that your holding your breath when you tighten it; but a snug feeling. Both my neck heel TR's have a rather snug feel to them where my settings are. I could still go further, but snug nonetheless. Thanks.

John
 
#2
they tend to need some torque to push the neck to where you want it; not "steel bolt into steel hole" torque, but you don't need to baby it.

tricks like spinning the truss rod nut back off to lube it with a bit of oil and wax, and pushing the neck into backbow to "help" the truss rod along are a good idea, but a firm pull on the wrench to get it where you want it is normal.

also, rather than a regular screwdriver with its poor leverage, i use one of thee:
40158_300jpg.png
 
#5
Johntheson said:
When you guys adjust your TR; is the rod free flowing so easy that you only need to use finget pressure to turn it; or does it start to feel tight as you lower the
John
Click to expand...

While I understand your purpose in saying this, it might add pondous to a misconception that adjusting the truss rod is the most obvious way to of lowering the playing action.

While it may affect the overall 'action' by lowering it, that result is only a byproduct of the neck adjustment because the truss rod is really used to straighten the neck, not adjust the height of the strings.

As a given - the neck needs to be pretty much 'right on' to get the lowest 'action' possible, but it's not a way of adjusting the height of the strings --- as a primary design.

I know what you said, and the idea was right, but I just wanted it to be noted that for a n00b this is NOT the way to lower action in and solely of itself.
 
#6
I totally understand. I should have clarified that the truss rod was just the first step in the process. I know the action is adjusted primarily at the bridge. I was just focusing in on the TR for the question. I've been working on my 6 strings for the entire 49 years I've been playing. I had to switch to bass due to arthritis, and the inability to fret the close together strings on the 6. I've never really done any work on basses until this past year. Thanks for the help guys.
John
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back