Jon: Technical Question (not groundskeeping)

[bovinehost]

Let's have a hypothetical situation.

There is a bass that is lovely in every respect. The owner of said bass wishes to continue to use Thomastik Infeld Flats, but these strings are fairly low tension.

The owner strings bass #1 with the TIs and discovers that they will not pull the neck into proper relief. Hmmm. Could be just that bass, right? Even with the truss rod completely loose, the neck is too flat or has a slight backbow.

Okay, problem solved with higher tension strings,

Then lucky owner gets another bass, same basic model, and strings it up with TI Flats. Guess what? Same deal.

Is there anything you might recommend in this situation? Yes, I know, use the higher tension strings, and I suspect that is what this owner is doing, but is there some way to alleviate this situation?

Here is what I thought about:

1. Lean on the headstock a bit (truss rod loose) to physically put pressure on the neck to bend backwards a bit.

2. Tune strings up past proper pitch to accomplish same thing as item 1, leaving strings tuned up for a day or two with truss rod loosened, thus (hopefully) introducing more relief.

Am I on the right track? Is there anything a smarter person would do?

Thanks!

JW

 

[Stingraymund]

TI flats

Sir Bovine:

I strongly recommend raising the action at the saddles. They will not only counteract your backbow but give you slightly higher tension.

 

[jongitarz]

Jack,

I think you are on the right track. I would see if the owner could get his hands on a straight edge to see what is going on with the neck as far as back bow. Are the necks in question rosewood fretboards? They will tend to react to temp changes etc. differently than maple because the neck and fretboard are different woods. Keep me posted.

Jon

 

[bovinehost]

Well, last night, I tuned the strings up....er, I mean "the owner" tuned the strings up past proper pitch with the truss rod loose, and this seems to have induced a bit more relief. Tuned the strings back down to pitch and things are definitely better.

I don't think this is a real problem, I mean an inherent flaw or some sort of design fault....it's just that the Bongo 4 necks seem to want more tension than the Thomastik Infeld strings have in them.

No problem at all with LaBellas or D'Addarios. But I think I'm getting the....I mean, "the owner" is finding ways to overcome the situation.

 

[jongitarz]

Well, I am glad that you, er..ah..the owner has it under control..Now I'm off to the back yard to work on the never ending project.

Jon