trapezoid Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 If my bass is unplayed for an extended period (more than a week), i'll loosen all the strings. Question is how loose to go before the truss rod has a negative effect on bass' neck without tension from the strings? I'd welcome any advice. Thanks, Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassilisk Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 If my bass is unplayed for an extended period (more than a week), i'll loosen all the strings. Question is how loose to go before the truss rod has a negative effect on bass' neck without tension from the strings? I'd welcome any advice. Thanks, Kevin Don't loosen the strings. The bass is designed (and the truss rod is set up) to be under full in-tune tension all the time. There is no realized benefit from loosening them. I've found that after several weeks of being idle the strings are more of a variable and usually go a bit sharp - I just retune and make any minor adjustments to the action if necessary. On some basses the neck may need a truss tweak because of reaction to temperature and or humidity. Again, I'm talking about weeks of not being played. These reactions are normal and no cause for concern. On the other hand I have a 1970 Telecaster bass neck that's always been strung up in tune and hasn't needed an adjustment in 40 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trapezoid Posted July 22, 2013 Author Share Posted July 22, 2013 Don't loosen the strings. The bass is designed (and the truss rod is set up) to be under full in-tune tension all the time. There is no realized benefit from loosening them. I've found that after several weeks of being idle the strings are more of a variable and usually go a bit sharp - I just retune and make any minor adjustments to the action if necessary. On some basses the neck may need a truss tweak because of reaction to temperature and or humidity. Again, I'm talking about weeks of not being played. These reactions are normal and no cause for concern. On the other hand I have a 1970 Telecaster bass neck that's always been strung up in tune and hasn't needed an adjustment in 40 years. Thank you, Bassilisk That makes sense. I was concerned of neck bowing over time from the tension. You've put my mind at ease. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrNylon Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 It's not a good idea to totally take all tension off the neck, unless you're going to be doing work on the neck etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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