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If you're going to do a setup. The first thing you should do is check the neck relief.
There are at least two factors that affect the action, only one of which is the neck relief.
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There are at least two factors that affect the action, only one of which is the neck relief.
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If your adjuster is at the headstock, rotating clockwise will flatten the neck or make it back bow (neck hump) if you go too far.
Turnaround
Commercial User
Depends on the bass. For example, Pedullas are the reverse. Most basses though will have a truss rod that bows the neck back when turned clockwise as you face the end of the truss rod, either at the headstock or the heel.
Some are confused by the terms backbow and relief. If you were to lay your bass on a table top strings up, backbow is when the centre of the fingerboard is higher than the ends. Relief is when the centre of the fingerboard is lower than the ends. It is generally accepted that a little relief is a good thing - backbow never is.
Turnaround
Commercial User
AFAIK, a Schecter adjusts in the conventional way. Turning clockwise tightens the truss rod removing relief, while counter-clockwise adds relief. But adjusting the truss rod is not necessarily a good idea to lower the action. It depends on the rest of the setup. Check the sticky at the top of the fourm.
So far, I've only adjusted truss rods in 2 MIM Fenders, 1 ESP LTD, and 1 Cort--they have all been the same, but I can't say that all basses are the same.
Those all had a recessed nut at the headstock end, and all are turned Clockwise (righty-tighty) to lower the action. Tightening the truss rod fights against the tension of the strings (which want to pull the neck forward), that's how I remember it.
There is more to a setup, for sure, but now that I've got them all where I want them, a small truss rod adjustment in Winter and Summer account for seasonal temp and humidity changes.
If you're handy at all, just try a small adjustment and see for yourself. A little goes a long way.
All the best,
Shane
I would start by lowering the bridge saddles before adjusting the truss rod. I just changed strings (and string brand) on my bass and had to do a complete setup. My neck is usually set to zero relief. I like a flat neck. Then I adjust the saddles as low as I can go before I get fret buzz under normal playing.
I think you're kind of missing the point. You want the neck relief to be right before adjusting the action.
The change in action is a byproduct of adjusting the truss rod. You don't want to adjust your action solely by way of the truss rod. You want to adjust your truss rod, to get the neck relief correct, and then get the action right with the bridge saddles.
The change in action is a byproduct of adjusting the truss rod. You don't want to adjust your action solely by way of the truss rod. You want to adjust your truss rod, to get the neck relief correct, and then get the action right with the bridge saddles.
Action isn't definded by the truss rod. Truss road effects neck relief/creating and eliminating space for the strings to vibrate properly. You have to lower the saddles on the bridge To lower the action. Usually with a hex key.I have found the neck is more "comfortable" to play when it's either straight or a little bit of relief. All necks are different and they technically should have relief, but I've set up necks straight that play perfect with no buzz. It's all about preference. If your not sure how everything works, have a pro do it and explain the set up process. Your going to want your neck releif set before setting action. Don't bite off more than you can chew man. Good luck!!! Hope this helps.
I agree with all that ^, except for "you are" = you're.
That's what too much internet does to me
Are you even reading the responses people are giving you? Your question has been more than answered.
A byproduct of tightening the rod will be lower action. But as said this is not generally the right way to go about adjusting action.
It's a little more complicated than just adjusting truss rod. I'd recommend some reading first, for example: Electric Bass Guitar Setup Guide Intro | Bass Gear | StudyBass
If you have to ask you should have your locally owned music store tech do it.
This would actually be an improvement on some ABG's I've played.
