big rob Posted October 27, 2014 Share Posted October 27, 2014 Dear All, Sorted the electrics now on my Washburn Status, however i have change the strings to 30-90 gauge and now have dead notes on 3rd fret and below and some fret buzz. Must be the change in gauge, but do i need to adjust the truss rod? there is no nut it being headless. Your help as always would be much appreciated. Regards Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted October 27, 2014 Share Posted October 27, 2014 Sounds like you've gone to a lighter gauge than the bass was previously strung with so you've not got enough relief (which is why there's fret buzz and note choking near the nut). You need to slacken off the truss rod, maybe an 1/8 of a turn or so. Leave it for 24 hours to let the neck settle and see if it's any better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBus Posted October 27, 2014 Share Posted October 27, 2014 As HowieBass said. Moving from heavier to lighter gauge strings usually means the neck adopting a back bow which would explain dead notes below third fret. The trus rod adjustment on your bass is at the body end of the neck, under the little plate. As you are looking at the end of the trus rod (adjusting end) lefty loosey, righty tighty. Left to induce a forward bow, which is probably what you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big rob Posted October 27, 2014 Author Share Posted October 27, 2014 Thanks for the advice, do i adjust with the strings on? cheers Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBus Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 Yes, because they are giving the tension that you need for the right bow in the neck. Without the strings you will just be guessing and have to put the strings on and off to check it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big rob Posted October 28, 2014 Author Share Posted October 28, 2014 Cheers BassBus, I will give it a go tomorrow, have band tonight and have put the old strings back on and its fine again. Do i turn until it plays ok and then leave it 24hrs to settle or do i need to turn, leave it 24hrs and then see if it plays OK. Sorry for all the questions, have always seen truss rod adjustment as a bit voodoo and don't want to f it up. Kind Regards Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brensabre79 Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 A very well respected Brighton based luthier told me that allowing 24 hours to settle is largely pointless when making slight adjustments for string change. Fair enough if the truss-rod has been slackened off for a while with no strings, but for the amount you're adjusting it should be a fairly instant change. Anything below a full turn will generally have instant results from what I gather. If you follow the Gary Willis setup guide and help the neck along a bit during adjustment you should be ready to rock almost instantly. This was successfully demonstrated during the conversation on my 1970s MusicMan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBus Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 [quote name='big rob' timestamp='1414487209' post='2589647'] Cheers BassBus, I will give it a go tomorrow, have band tonight and have put the old strings back on and its fine again. Do i turn until it plays ok and then leave it 24hrs to settle or do i need to turn, leave it 24hrs and then see if it plays OK. Sorry for all the questions, have always seen truss rod adjustment as a bit voodoo and don't want to f it up. Kind Regards Rob [/quote] Some people like to set a bass up by look and feel. I like to work with measurements to rough it in and then see how it feels. If you can get hold of a capo, clamp that on at the first fret then hold the E string down at 17th fret. Then check the distance between fret and string at 5th and/or 7th fret. I use a feeler gauge of 0.3mm as a guide. if it slips in without moving the string the neck relief is OK. If it moves the string then trus rod needs loosening a bit more. If the gauge has room either side of it the trus rod needs tightening. Some players prefer a narrower gap. That's where feel comes in. It's what suits you and what you feel comfortable with. Gary Willis' guide is good but remember he plays with a really light touch. If you like to dig in more neck relief might be better. Lots of vidoes on YouTube on the subject. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big rob Posted October 28, 2014 Author Share Posted October 28, 2014 Thanks guys for the advice, i am going to have a go tomorrow, i will keep you posted. This does not sound too voodoo at all. Cheers Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big rob Posted October 31, 2014 Author Share Posted October 31, 2014 Hi All, Well took to band with the 40-100 tonight and have realised that i just love my Warwick dolphin Pro 1 too much so this will be going up for sale. Great bass just cant stop using the Warwick. Regards Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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