what to do about warping necks?

[classic rocker]

hello fellow bassists.

bass guitar necks seem to warp a lot here in colorado where it's very dry. i see basses in the shops all the time with necks bent to concave, some with action so high they can hardly be played. now, when my own necks bend even a little i get freaked out, and worry about them getting damaged.

is it just the dryness that causes this? is it possible that all of these basses have incorrectly adjusted truss rods? is it a good idea to downtune strings occassionally when storing a bass, or is this damaging to the truss rod? what about frequent oiling of the rosewood fingerboard, will that help? does hanging from the headstock help to resist warping, like with an 'ultimate support' guitar stand?

i know that's a lot of questions, just looking for a clue as to how to maintain good working necks. thanks.


classic rocker

 

[Nelson Guitars]

A quality built neck should not move around much if it is kept in a reasonably consistent heat and RH environment. Consistence is the key. It's not that hot or cold or high RH or low RH are better, just that change in environment means potential change in wood stress'.

If your neck is consistently bowed up then it is time for an adjustment. If it moves with the changes in humidity it is time for a new neck. It is best to take it to a qualified luthier if you can't make the correction with a few twists of the truss rod and/or an adjustment of the neck angle.

Greg N

 

[classic rocker]

thanks for your input, greg, noted that consistency is the key. i gotta say, though, bass necks seem to be dropping like flies where i live.

classic rocker

 

[Nelson Guitars]

That may be absolutely true. If most are built at a median RH then all will be effected by the low RH where you live. Once stabilized though you can make the investment in correcting the problem without worry of further change.

Musicians who travel experience these sorts of problems all the time. Imagine doing a gig in Phoenix and then the next in New Orleans. People who care about their instruments will keep them in humidity controlled (or at least monitored) cases.

You think electric basses are a problem, just think about what happens to a cello or double bass. Violins although small are under tremendous forces and are built much more delicately than most basses. Radical changes in RH can be disastrous.

Greg N