Ashwood1985 Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Heeley Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 if you dont need to tweak the truss rod then i wouldn't touch it. I don't think I could get away with downtuning on my basses without slackening the truss rod a touch, as i like a really low percussive action. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRISDABASS Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Half a step down shouldn't cause any issues at all, if it plays fine, it is fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashwood1985 Posted September 10, 2012 Author Share Posted September 10, 2012 Seen.... Thanks for your replies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashwood1985 Posted September 10, 2012 Author Share Posted September 10, 2012 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lettsguitars Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashwood1985 Posted September 10, 2012 Author Share Posted September 10, 2012 Thanks letts. All my current basses have natural finished on the necks so it's especially good to know! :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lettsguitars Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Good stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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