Members Emerica167852 Posted July 3, 2009 Members Share Posted July 3, 2009 So ive noticed, ever since i got it, my american pbass has had a little bow in the neck. probly more than i want too. ive tried to fix it. doesnt really work. so idk i just had it detuned for a few days and i look at the neck and its perfectly straight. then i tuned it back up and theres a bow. it kinda makes sense because of the tension. but just wondering if this is normal. also what i can do to fix the bow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dDigitalPimp Posted July 3, 2009 Members Share Posted July 3, 2009 tighten the truss rod. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mrcrow Posted July 3, 2009 Members Share Posted July 3, 2009 judging by your question you may need to get a guitar shop to do the relatively simple job of tightening the truss rodyou do need some bow so the strings dont sizzle on the frets when playing open and low notes on each string..up to 7th fret etcwait for an avalanche of advicecheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Emerica167852 Posted July 3, 2009 Author Members Share Posted July 3, 2009 ive tried the truss rod a few times, i just tightened it up a little and really didnt do anything Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sugarskull Posted July 3, 2009 Members Share Posted July 3, 2009 ive tried the truss rod a few times, i just tightened it up a little and really didnt do anything It can take a day to settle in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dDigitalPimp Posted July 3, 2009 Members Share Posted July 3, 2009 ive tried the truss rod a few times, i just tightened it up a little and really didnt do anything the nut could be stripped. is it really easy to turn? its tough to say without trying it for myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bassthumpintwin Posted July 3, 2009 Members Share Posted July 3, 2009 Could be that your truss rod was just really loose? You are turning the nut to the right I assume (when looking down at it) Try a couple quarter turns at first. You should notice at least SOME difference if your truss rod is still functional. You should also feel a slight bit of tension on the trussrod nut as you turn it. When getting closer to where you need to be, try 1/8th turns. Just becareful not to over tighted and break your trussrod. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bassthumpintwin Posted July 3, 2009 Members Share Posted July 3, 2009 Also, it could take a little while to settle, like others have said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lUserName Posted July 4, 2009 Members Share Posted July 4, 2009 tightening the truss rod should work relatively quickly. I bet it was too loose to begin with and you haven't turned it to a point where it is actually straightening the neck, do a 1/4 turn wait an hour and do another, repeat this but STOP if it becomes hard to turn. *it is also best to loosen the strings ever so slightly before each turn when tightening a truss rod. *NOTE: American P-bass = DON"T DO ANYTHING CRAZY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Emerica167852 Posted July 5, 2009 Author Members Share Posted July 5, 2009 Well i guess i gotta ask, how much is too much of a bow??? i have a jazz that has now bow whatsoever and its great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members oldivor Posted July 5, 2009 Members Share Posted July 5, 2009 You need to tighten the truss rod. Righty tighty, lefty loosy. No more than a 1/4 turn a day is the going rule. It takes time so what I'd do is tighten it in the morning and then check it in the evening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Emerica167852 Posted July 7, 2009 Author Members Share Posted July 7, 2009 i guess my question is too.... is it normal for basses necks to fluctuate with the tension from the strings. it kind of makes sense, but just checking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bassman1956 Posted July 7, 2009 Members Share Posted July 7, 2009 How much of a bow?Well, first, tune the bass to where you play it. Then:Pinch down the strings at the first fret, and at the same time, at the 13th fret. In the middle, about the 5th or 6th fret, there should be about .030" to .040" clearance between the strings and fret. Some people like a little less, some a little more. But that's a good place to start.If you need more bow, loosen the truss rod.If you need less, tighten the truss rod. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Emerica167852 Posted July 7, 2009 Author Members Share Posted July 7, 2009 if i got a truss rod with the insert by the pickup and not the headstock. which direction do i turn it to tighten/reduce bow. vice versa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted July 7, 2009 Moderators Share Posted July 7, 2009 if i got a truss rod with the insert by the pickup and not the headstock. which direction do i turn it to tighten/reduce bow. vice versa It's a screw. You turn it clockwise to tighten and counter-clockwise to loosen. The only way to know whether you have too much or too little bow in the neck is to play it. If you can make the strings buzz with equal playing force all along the neck, you're good. If it is easier to make the strings buzz by the nut (1st-3rd frets), you need more relief, so you must loosen the truss rod. If it is easier to make the strings buzz above the 12th fret, you need to flatten the neck by tightening the truss rod. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members venturawest Posted July 7, 2009 Members Share Posted July 7, 2009 No more than a 1/4 turn a day is the going rule. never a truer word has been spoken. don't make the same mistake i did! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bassman1956 Posted July 7, 2009 Members Share Posted July 7, 2009 No more than a 1/4 turn a day is the going rule. Yup.Take your time, let it settle in... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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