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Truss rod adjustments for drop tuning...


Ashwood1985
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Hi guys,

So everytime I play with my band I tune down my bass(es) by half a tone across all strings.

A jazz with flats but mainly a streamer $$ 5.

My question does not regard playability, as my intonation and action remains fine when I have dropped the tuning, but rather on the health of the neck!!

I do not adjust the rod for this even though as soon as I'm home I tend to retune back to standard straight away. So I ask the more experienced heads: am I doing the right thing? Or should I tweak I slightly each way every time I retune?

I never thought of the tension change as much but recently saw a comment or two that made me think twice and naturally I want to keep my axes in good stead!

Cheers for the help,

Ash

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So if I decide that the slight change in action is to be avoided as i do set it low, would there be any harm in regularly readjusting the rod slightly? Put in a more general sense: is there a limit to the regularity of adjustments before the wood gets fed up of being pushed around a goes a little AWOL?

Sorry if my question seems a little picky - while im comfortable with sanding, electrics and hardware, truss rods I've never touched as I have always wante to feel 100% sure of things before hand.

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If the neck has a tough modern finish then regular adjustment could (I assume) cause some cracking. Poly finishes actually make the neck stiffer. I would say that there would be no detremental affect on the neck itself. Wood loves stress and is very good at returning to it's original form. Adjusting the rod will only aleviate any external stress. A good neck with a natural or nitro finish should move instantly with any rod adjustments.

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