spongebob Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 Picked up a brand new US P a couple of weeks ago. Love it! Hate the stock strings, so fitted some GHS flats. Truss Rod needed a couple of quarter turns to get it right. Couple of gigs later, found the GHS's too dark. Got a set of D'addario nickels on the shelf, so fitted those. Just a small adjutment needed, maybe 1/8 to get it right. Problem is, I haven't used them for a while for a reason! I've ordered a set of Chrome, happy medium. I'm guessing that I'll need to tweak the rod again, given the extra tension. I was a bit worried about causing any damage, not an expert here. Are these too many changes in a short space of time? How many turns can a Truss Rod take? Please - hopefully - put my mind at rest!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted November 12, 2014 Author Share Posted November 12, 2014 I should add that all adjustments so far have been 'righty tighty'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 I wouldn't be worried, it can take it, that's what it is there for. Unless you were very heavy handed and over tightened, you won't be causing any damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 I always give it a day to settle between each set-up. Plus when tightening I hold the bass between my knees and pull back on the head slightly so the rod is not pulling the neck all on its own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted November 12, 2014 Author Share Posted November 12, 2014 All sounds good then. Never adjusted a bass from new, so I guess there's always a bit of work to get it right. I suppose any changes in tension would have occurred if I'd have used the Chromes first, before the GHS'S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 Combined, you've added less than a turn so far. Any truss rod that fails with an adjustment that small is indicative of a duff instrument in the first place. Obviously, if you get to the point where you're using a lever to wrench the allen key you're pushing your luck, but if you can move it by hand comfortably you're doing just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gelfin Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 [quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1415778316' post='2603578'] I always give it a day to settle between each set-up. Plus when tightening I hold the bass between my knees and pull back on the head slightly so the rod is not pulling the neck all on its own. [/quote] This. The recommended method for dealing with Ric truss rods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted November 13, 2014 Author Share Posted November 13, 2014 Thanks guys - great advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlungerModerno Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 A new US P bass? With the graphite reinforcement rods? Yeah that neck would take some rough treatment to ruin. The truss rod nut could be gradually ringed by not seating the hex / allen wrench in correctly but aside from that it's pretty much guaranteed to last for a few thousand string changes. More if you're a "new rounds every show" sort of bassist playing 5+ shows a week! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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