I cannot loosen truss rod any further, solutions?

[Paolo85]

Soon after returnung a Squier Affinity PJ because the truss rod was maxed out but still had a good bow, I bought another one second hand. Everything looked fine but now I have put low tension strings on and I realise I am having the opposite problem.

I have put low tension DR HiBeam 45-100 on and it seems I cannot get more relief than 0.35. The nut becomes extremely loose - no resistance at all. I have given it a few full turns with no effect on relief. I have tried waiting one day, but it did not help.

I obviously could get higher tension strings or adjust the saddles but I like to have fully functioning basses. 

Is there any "permanent" solution that would be suitable for a non-expert like me with limited tools?

Thanks

[Muppet]

What's the maximum relief you can measure at the 8th fret when you fret a string at the first and last frets?

 

[Paolo85]

15 minutes ago, Muppet said:

What's the maximum relief you can measure at the 8th fret when you fret a string at the first and last frets?

 

It is 0.35mm. I wanted to add more as I am getting a slight buzz on 5th fret. As I can't, I have cheched the frets and it looks loke there is clear bump on the 6th fret so I'll file that. Regardless, as I said I'd like a bass that can take even lower tension strings

[Andyjr1515]

14 minutes ago, Muppet said:

What's the maximum relief you can measure at the 8th fret when you fret a string at the first and last frets?

 

^This. If there is any perceptible movement of both the G and the E when you tap on the 8th, then the relief is fine. It’s only an issue if either of the strings are hard down against those middle frets. When I set up a bass, I aim for ‘just perceptible movement’

[Andyjr1515]

1 minute ago, Paolo85 said:

It is 0.35mm. I wanted to add more as I am getting a slight buzz on 5th fret. As I can't, I have cheched the frets and it looks loke there is clear bump on the 6th fret so I'll file that. Regardless, as I said I'd like a bass that can take even lower tension strings

Yes - your relief is fine but you have a high spot or high spots on the fretboard. Andy

[Paolo85]

Thanks. I just would like a bass where I could decide to spend a lot of money on say on some super low-tension TI roundwounds without having to worry about not being able to achieve a good setup. Personally I like some relief

...I guess Squier Affinity are not the right basses for a perfect truss-rod...

[Andyjr1515]

1 minute ago, Paolo85 said:

Thanks. I just would like a bass where I could decide to spend a lot of money on say on some super low-tension TI roundwounds without having to worry about not being able to achieve a good setup. Personally I like some relief

...I guess Squier Affinity are not the right basses for a perfect truss-rod...

I would recommend a decent fret job as a first step in any case.  

[mcnach]

On 28/07/2022 at 09:28, Andyjr1515 said:

I would recommend a decent fret job as a first step in any case.  

 

 

+1

This, for any bass. 

[chris7273]

Time for a visit to a good luthier 🙂

Don’t blame the brand : you bought second hand and you don’t know what the bass has endured beforehand…

 

[Paolo85]

8 hours ago, chris7273 said:

Time for a visit to a good luthier 🙂

Don’t blame the brand : you bought second hand and you don’t know what the bass has endured beforehand…

 

Well, the first of the two Squiers was new, but obviously I might have been unlucky