GCYPbass Posted August 27, 2011 Share Posted August 27, 2011 Hi BCers, As many people have more than one basses or they go abroad for work etc for a long time, I thought it would be helpful for everybody to discuss about this. BCers who have knowledge about this issue should explain us the right way of keeping the basses we don't use. neck and body separated? strings on/off? truss-rod loosen? etc. Give us some info please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 If the bass is active just take the battery out and store in a case in a dry place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 [quote name='chris_b' post='1354036' date='Aug 28 2011, 01:14 AM']If the bass is active just take the battery out and store in a case in a dry place.[/quote] +1 And slacken the strings - no point in leaving the thing in tune if you're not planning on playing it for a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB2000 Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 Don't slacken the strings, if you do the neck could be damaged due to the unbalanced force exerted by the truss rod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingBollock Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 Yeah, I was under the impression that you shouldn't keep strings off a guitar/bass for long, even to the point where I restring one string at a time to keep the tension. Infact I recall being told by my old boss, when I worked in a guitar shop about a million (20 odd) years ago, that when standing a guitar against something, like a table, it's best to do it strings against the object to actually tighten them. Though I can't remember the exact reason for this and I don't know if this was a fad at the time or something. I've not explained what he meant very well, it's late and I can't think of words. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 I've got a storage bay for looking after basses if you want me to put it in there. It'll get regularly cleaned & checked over for just a small monthly fee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 [quote name='chris_b' post='1354036' date='Aug 28 2011, 01:14 AM']If the bass is active just take the battery out and store in a case in a dry place.[/quote] +1 to this. I would not slaken the strings. The neck is designed to take the pull of the strings, whether the bass is being played or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 Don't slacken the strings unless you think there is a chance that the guitar will be exposed to extremes if heat or moisture while in storage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 [quote name='KingBollock' post='1354058' date='Aug 28 2011, 02:41 AM']Yeah, I was under the impression that you shouldn't keep strings off a guitar/bass for long, even to the point where I restring one string at a time to keep the tension.[/quote] Opinions vary on this. I usually take all the strings off together. It is easier to clean the fret board that way. If you release the pressure on each string gently one at a time, rather than cut them with a pliars while at full tension, the tension release on the neck is gradual. Then remove them. After restringing, the neck may need a short while to return to the way it was before the string change. I have found that if the same brand and tension of new strings are used, the neck needs little or no time to adjust. Depending on the bass, some necks are more sensitive to tension or lack of, then others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Stu Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 [quote name='BB2000' post='1354056' date='Aug 28 2011, 02:31 AM']Don't slacken the strings, if you do the neck could be damaged due to the unbalanced force exerted by the truss rod.[/quote] You do slacken the strings, but not right off, down a couple of tones should be about right. Battery out in an active should be a given. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GCYPbass Posted August 28, 2011 Author Share Posted August 28, 2011 [quote name='xgsjx' post='1354073' date='Aug 28 2011, 08:01 AM']I've got a storage bay for looking after basses if you want me to put it in there. It'll get regularly cleaned & checked over for just a small monthly fee. [/quote] I opened the thread as general discussion, not specifically for myself but I will keep in mind that there is a storage bay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 I would loosen the string about half a tone if I was posting a bass, but there is no need to slacked strings if the bass is being stored. With the strings and truss rod working as intended how can there be any risk to the neck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 [quote name='chris_b' post='1354396' date='Aug 28 2011, 03:42 PM']I would loosen the string about half a tone if I was posting a bass, but there is no need to slacked strings if the bass is being stored. With the strings and truss rod working as intended how can there be any risk to the neck?[/quote] Absolutely right. A properly strung, tuned and adjusted instrument can be stored in a case in reasonable temperatures for as long as you like. The bass doesn't know if it's being played or stored. There is no need whatever to slacken or remove strings, slacken the truss rod, etc. If the fingerboard has no finish (not a coated maple board for example) lightly oil it first to help prevent moisture loss or absorption, but you should be doing this anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.