Neck Adjustment Required?

[UK_Lefty]

Put some super-light DR Hi Beams on my bass and the strings rattle from 1st to 4th fret. Does this mean I need to straighten the neck out a little (it was bowed perfectly for the previous set of heavier strings) or is there a more sinister problem?

 

I've never doen a truss rod adjustment before and I'm scared of {censored}ing up my bass. How should it be done?

[Perfessor]

 

Put some super-light DR Hi Beams on my bass and the strings rattle from 1st to 4th fret. Does this mean I need to straighten the neck out a little (it was bowed perfectly for the previous set of heavier strings) or is there a more sinister problem? I've never doen a truss rod adjustment before and I'm scared of {censored}ing up my bass. How should it be done?

 

 

Try adjusting the saddles first. Sight down the neck from the nut to see if you need to adjust the truss rod.

[Richard Guy]

Your nut may need replacing to work with the lighter guage strings. You won't screw anything up if you adjust the neck in small increments under proper string pressure. If you haven't done it before, take it to somebody that knows how to do it or get a book or google search the process. The Fender site has some tips.

[dDigitalPimp]

 

I've never doen a truss rod adjustment before and I'm scared of {censored}ing up my bass. How should it be done?

 

 

without seeing the instrument we can only take guesses what it needs. *most likely* needs a bit of tension let out off the truss rod. the lighter strings are creating less of a pull forward on the neck which lets the neck sit back some more causing the buzzing near the nut. do a quarter turn at a time and notice how the action of the strings rises. let it sit for a while (an hour or so) before you adjust it again.

[guitargod0dmw]

You should also check your intonation.

[wades_keys]

I've never doen a truss rod adjustment before and I'm scared of {censored}ing up my bass. How should it be done?

Fear not the truss rod - it is your friend.

 

Just don't go nutso on it - 1/4 turn at a time. Lefty loosey, righty tighty

 

But check your relief before and after - you may need a taller nut. You do know how to measure neck relief right?

 

Fret the 1st and 12th low E string basically - check the gap between string bottom and fret top around the 7th or ninth fret. I use a 1mm pick as a gauge...

 

If you've already got good relief there, then you'll have to raise saddles and/or get a taller nut.

[Kindness]

Here is your answer as plain as can be:

 

Your neck is too flat. Loosen the truss rod approx. 1/8th turn and check it again. If it still buzzes on the first fret or two, just a touch looser will do the trick.