I have a problem with my ernie ball 5 string Sting-ray bass. I bought it last February and its been fine until recently, I've noticed the strings are becoming very close to the fretbord and are usually giving off a ringing/buzzing sound when strumed. I have kept it in good condition and usually left it in the case or on a stand. I suspect that it could be that the neck is warped (although it doesn't look like it at first glance though i am not 100% sure), or maybe the strings are in need of change. I would like to know if anyone else has had this problem and what they did to fix it, and/or if anyone has any suggestions on what the problem is. Help would be greatly appreciated.
- Thread starter deathruin
- Start date
J Romano
Well-known member
If the neck doesn't need adjusting, I would call customer service in the AM. They are very helpful. As others will tell you, hard to diagnose over the internet.
guenter
Well-known member
Welcome.
Your bass has no problem. Use the trussrod wheel at the end of the neck (where the pickups are) to adjust the neck bow. 1/8 turn "left" (or "up" if strapped on) and your string height should be fine again. No special tools required. You can use a little screw driver or a nail (...) to put it into the holes in the wheel. Don't insert it too far since you may get stuck in the body behind the wheel.
Good Luck.
Your bass has no problem. Use the trussrod wheel at the end of the neck (where the pickups are) to adjust the neck bow. 1/8 turn "left" (or "up" if strapped on) and your string height should be fine again. No special tools required. You can use a little screw driver or a nail (...) to put it into the holes in the wheel. Don't insert it too far since you may get stuck in the body behind the wheel.
Good Luck.
Rod Trussbroken
Moderator
As said above, it's only an adjustment to the neck. you need a little more relief (bow). This has the effect of raising the strings a tad.
jlepre
Well-known member
Temperature and humidity changes can be the culprit. Thank GOD for the TRUSS WHEEL.
MK Bass Weed
Well-known member
Tis the season to be adjusting. I have to adjust NOW...in February..and again in April..Philly is SUPER dry in the Winter...Super WET in the summer...eeccch...
but there you go.
but there you go.
stingray96191
Well-known member
you are... if you were adjusting it from the other side of the neck.. its all relative to where you are looking at it from.
Rod Trussbroken
Moderator
In the pic above (looking towards the heel of the neck)...turning the wheel to the right (clockwise) tightens the truss rod and straightens the neck (less relief). Turning the wheel to the left (anti-clockwise) loosens the truss rod which adds bow to the neck (more relief).
T-bone
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2005
- Messages
- 1,274
Oh, okay. Now that makes sense. So the neck has a bow in it and the tightening of the truss rod straightens it out. Funny, I always thought it would be just the opposite.
Thanks!
tbone
adouglas
Well-known member
Think of the wheel as if it were the screw cap on your favorite beverage. The "bottom of the bottle" is the headstock.
If you're like most of us, you've got the correct direction to turn embedded in muscle memory.
Unscrewing loosens, just like opening the bottle.
If you're like most of us, you've got the correct direction to turn embedded in muscle memory.
Unscrewing loosens, just like opening the bottle.
T-bone
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2005
- Messages
- 1,274
My mechanical side comes out here thinking you've got this chunk of wood that's 2" x 1" x 36". You run a steel rod (with threads at one end) down the center (length wise), fix at one end and put a truss wheel at the other. When you tighten the truss wheel (right to tight) you are affectively applying pressure on both ends of the wood, causing it to bow. When you loosen the wheel (left to loose) you removing the pressure allowing the board to return to it's normal state.
Obviously I was wrong. It's just the opposite. Good thing I'm not a luthier.
tbone
Obviously I was wrong. It's just the opposite. Good thing I'm not a luthier.
tbone
adouglas
Well-known member
You're exactly right but missing one key element: There is considerable tension being applied to one face of that piece of wood by the strings, causing it to bow. The truss rod counteracts this force.
guenter
Well-known member
My mechanical side comes out here thinking you've got this chunk of wood that's 2" x 1" x 36". You run a steel rod (with threads at one end) down the center (length wise), fix at one end and put a truss wheel at the other. When you tighten the truss wheel (right to tight) you are affectively applying pressure on both ends of the wood, causing it to bow. When you loosen the wheel (left to loose) you removing the pressure allowing the board to return to it's normal state.
Obviously I was wrong. It's just the opposite. Good thing I'm not a luthier.
tbone
The truss rod does not go straight through the neck. The truss rod tunnel is also bowed. If it were straight you would have unpredicbale results when tightening the truss rod wheel.
Better than 1000 words: File:Guitar neck.svg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
J Romano
Well-known member
Thanks Guenter, I often wondered about that!
