lowdowner Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 So... after more than 1000 hours of playing on the same set of 'stock' strings I changed my warwicks to a set of Rotosound 66 heavy gauge (50-110's). After fitting them I noticed that the neck was far more bowed than before so I bit the bullet and got out my truss rod tool and gave it a 1/8 turn (maybe slightly more, my neck was *very* bowed!) Now it's fab - I've lowered the action anyway on the E and A strings which were a little high, and checked for buzzes and rattles. All seems well. *More* than well actually and I'm excited that I might be able to control the truss rod if I need to after hearing so many scare stories of people ruining their necks. Great new bright funky sound, and some cool looking red ended strings to boot! I'll re-check in the morning to see how much it 'beds in', but for now it plays like a dream. Is 1000 hours a lot of playing time from a set of strings? I've no idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichF Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 (edited) takes all sorts and some dont change their strings ever. I like sparkle and since I like Legacy's at only £7.99 a set I do every month or two whatever (less than 100 hours?), more frequent when recording and gigging regularly (sweaty fingers!). Edited August 18, 2012 by RichF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 Good choice of string there. They do have added tension, but I just love them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Fretbuzz Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 I bit the bullet and tweaked my truss rod on my brand new P ..... Scary as I hadn't done it before... About a quarter turn anti clockwise... Before the E string was clanking against frets :-( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heminder Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 Those scare stories are over-exaggerated I think. It will only break if you crank it like a maniac. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdowner Posted August 18, 2012 Author Share Posted August 18, 2012 I'll tell you what happens when I check again in t' morning For now they're great - really good feel to them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mart Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 Has the intonation coped with the change of strings and truss rod tweak? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 I love the way the truss rod adjustment time creeps up on you until one day you think what the funk is going on, little tweak and it feels awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdowner Posted August 19, 2012 Author Share Posted August 19, 2012 [quote name='mart' timestamp='1345325016' post='1776386'] Has the intonation coped with the change of strings and truss rod tweak? [/quote] You see, this is just the kind of question to fill my newbie head with doubt again If you mean are all the strings relatively in-tune at different locations on the neck then I think so, if you mean something more esoteric then I don't know... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Yes, I would normally check the tuning open and at the twelve fret and the twelve harmonic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mart Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 [quote name='lowdowner' timestamp='1345359970' post='1776529'] You see, this is just the kind of question to fill my newbie head with doubt again If you mean are all the strings relatively in-tune at different locations on the neck then I think so, if you mean something more esoteric then I don't know... [/quote] Yes, that's exactly what I mean. So now, not only are you a competent truss-rod-tweaker, but you also know how to check the most important side effect. Pat yourself on the back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdowner Posted August 19, 2012 Author Share Posted August 19, 2012 Ah - I think i'd only describe myself as competent after a few more tweaks. I shall be looking for opportunities though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Nice to hear that another fellow bassist has overcome the 'Truss-Rod Terror'! If you are fore-armed with a bit of knowledge about what it is the truss rod does and that a little goes a long way etc. then you'd generally have to be a complete f*ckwit to break a bass/truss rod (assuming it doesn't have a fault and that is why the truss rod needs tweaking). However, it still scares the life out of most folks; I've worked with guitarists who have frankly been aghast when they have seen me tweak my truss rod at a rehearsal and they have been playing 20+ years, they still pay someone £40-£50 to fettle their guitar's truss rod! In fact I know one bassist who was going to sell his bass because the action was too high, 10 minutes with a set of allen keys and a screwdriver and he was quite frankly astonished at what could be done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 just searching the forums her e- can anybody point me in the direction of the 'idiots how to adjust your truss guide' whether on here or externally please ta muchly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 [quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1345369566' post='1776625'] just searching the forums her e- can anybody point me in the direction of the 'idiots how to adjust your truss guide' whether on here or externally please ta muchly [/quote] I'm sure there'll be loads of others on t'interweb/youtube but this one came up recently... [url="http://www.stewmac.com/freeinfo/String_action_and_setup/i-3910.html?actn=100101&xst=3&xsr=205467"]http://www.stewmac.com/freeinfo/String_action_and_setup/i-3910.html?actn=100101&xst=3&xsr=205467[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 [quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1345369975' post='1776628'] I'm sure there'll be loads of others on t'interweb/youtube but this one came up recently... [url="http://www.stewmac.com/freeinfo/String_action_and_setup/i-3910.html?actn=100101&xst=3&xsr=205467"]http://www.stewmac.c...st=3&xsr=205467[/url] [/quote] just found this...quite a nice easy to understand explanation [url="http://youtu.be/QpTL8lenqqM"]http://youtu.be/QpTL8lenqqM[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdowner Posted August 19, 2012 Author Share Posted August 19, 2012 And here - it's from Warwick, but should be common to most basses (though some truss rods are threaded the opposite way so, as with all trust rod adjustments, slowly slowly catchee monkey!) http://www.warwick.de/media/manuals/Basses/WWBassManual_EN.pdf Listen to me - an expert all of a sudden! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 (edited) anybody on here specifically with a TRB managed to adjust their rod successfully? please let me into the secret if you have!! edit - finally after a bit of gentle brute force its had a 1/4 turn def feels better now see how it settles down tomorrow Edited August 19, 2012 by steve-bbb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pst62 Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 [quote name='heminder' timestamp='1345321678' post='1776349'] Those scare stories are over-exaggerated I think. It will only break if you crank it like a maniac. [/quote] or if your name is Mark D Phillips Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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