It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:33 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Neck tension doing damage?
Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 8:18 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Aug 05, 2009 9:19 pm
Posts: 3
I purchased a new MIM Fretless Jazz recently, and aside from a few adjustments things are going well so far. The thing is, however, that I have noticed the strings (medium flatwound) seem to be digging into the wood right behind the nut/below the truss entrance. Is this normal? It does seem that the D & G strings are particularly tense just from looking at the headstock. Any guidance is appreciated.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:22 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:00 am
Posts: 1226
Location: In the pocket north of Washington D.C.
The bass was probably set up for light guage strings, including how the nut was cut.
When you put the medium guage strings on the bass, the thickness of the strings probably put them on a collision course with your fingerboard behind the nut. This isn't a critcal problem, but it is a cosmetic problem.

You may have to have a new nut cut for this bass if you want to change this.

_________________
If thine enemy wrong thee, buy each of his children a drum.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 4:12 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Aug 05, 2009 9:19 pm
Posts: 3
Thank you for the reply. I have whatever strings Fender put on the bass initially, the flatwound .55-.105, & the nut does seem rather slim. I might check around my area & see about getting a thicker one, maybe brass or bone even. I did lower the saddles & put some relief in the truss, that seemed to make it more playable at the very least.


Top
Profile
Post subject: String height.
Posted: Fri Dec 25, 2009 6:31 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Fri Dec 25, 2009 6:11 am
Posts: 2
Much like California_Resin, I have a new (2 months), Jazz bass! It seems to me that the 'height' of the strings has 'risen' around the 12-13-14th fret!
(It's a frettless, but that's where is is!) Could anyone tell me if it would be
a good idea to 'ease' the stress on the neck by loosening the strings when it is not in use! It seems to me, that there is a lot of torque being applied to the neck, and if you are not using it, why expose it to the stress!
It is a lot easier to 're-tune', than to have to re adjust!
Any opinion would be appreciated
Thanks-Barry


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 10:42 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:00 am
Posts: 1226
Location: In the pocket north of Washington D.C.
Hi Berry,

I wouldn't want to have to loosen my bass strings every time I put my bass away so I don't recommend that strategy to deal with a bowed neck.

A truss rod should be able to adjust for normal string tension and stay adjusted for several months depending on where you live.
In areas with a change of seasons and reletive humidity, you may have to have a bass adjusted twice a year when using the same type of strings.
This will vary with the particular bass.

Changing to a new brand of strings may require a truss rod adjustment.

Your bass doesn't know when it isn't being played, so loosening the truss rod doesn't make any sense unless you have a severe neck problem and in that case you should have the neck repaired or replaced.

Good luck with your bass

_________________
If thine enemy wrong thee, buy each of his children a drum.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 4:06 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 28, 2009 11:10 am
Posts: 1086
i wouldn't wanna loosen my strings then readjust.. errr.. from what I've heard it'll damage the truss rod...


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 3:35 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:00 am
Posts: 1226
Location: In the pocket north of Washington D.C.
Adjusting a truss rod shouldn't damage it, but continued loosening and tightening will change the rod's equilibrium point and can lead to stripping the nut or breaking the rod if you give it one too many turns.

Its best to get a neck settled in with the correct rod tension for the strings you are using, the location where you live and the indivdual neck on your bass. Then LEAVE IT ALONE!

Too many good necks are ruined by somebody over thinking what they should do with their bass.

Just play the sucker, keep it in its case, pay attention to any real problems, such as the neck severely and suddenly bowing or the bass suffering a fall.
Other than that- Just change strings, or not, and play it.

Its a Fender bass. It will outlast you if you take reasonable care of it!

_________________
If thine enemy wrong thee, buy each of his children a drum.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 2:35 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:12 pm
Posts: 6355
Location: Albemarle, NC
BCbassman wrote:
Adjusting a truss rod shouldn't damage it, but continued loosening and tightening will change the rod's equilibrium point and can lead to stripping the nut or breaking the rod if you give it one too many turns.

Its best to get a neck settled in with the correct rod tension for the strings you are using, the location where you live and the indivdual neck on your bass. Then LEAVE IT ALONE!

Too many good necks are ruined by somebody over thinking what they should do with their bass.

Just play the sucker, keep it in its case, pay attention to any real problems, such as the neck severely and suddenly bowing or the bass suffering a fall.
Other than that- Just change strings, or not, and play it.

Its a Fender bass. It will outlast you if you take reasonable care of it!


That is good advice and well put.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Mr. Nylon and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: