MM 25th Tight Truss Wheel?

[bbernard]

I've read all the threads on adjusting the neck. Most comments mention how easy the truss wheel is to adjust. I have never adjusted my 25th (or really any bass for decades?) and I am questioning the stiffness in my truss wheel.

I attempted to adjust the truss wheel last night. It is darn resistant to movement. The only thing I had that fit the hole was an allen wrench so I attempted the adjustment using the long side of the allen wrench into the truss wheel. Maybe this will take care of itself when I get a more appropriate tool later today. How hard do I push on this? Any tips?

Thanks.

 

[Soulkeeper]

Are you trying to tighten the truss rod? If so, did you loosen the strings first?

An allen wrench is probably a little bit short for the job (depending on size), so it won't give you much leverage. A thin screwdriver is probably better.

 

[bbernard]

I get the nomenclature wrong: tighten/loosen, more/less relief. I am making the neck flatter. So I am going against string tension. DUH! No I did not loosen the strings. Seems kind of obvious. Thanks.

Funny, I've been playing a long time however almost all of it was spent with a graphite necked bass that did not have a truss rod. A definite hole in my knowledge.

 

[liverbird]

Sounds familiar. The wheel on my 25th HSS was quite stiff too. When I last had it for a set-up at my luthier they put some grease on it (or something similar). I think.

 

[five7]

I don't loosen the strings before tightening. All of mine move freely. And I use an allen wrench.

 

[jlepre]

I've had some of my EBMM's where I didn't have to loosen the strings to tighten, and some where I had to loosen them.

 

[AnthonyD]

I don't loosen my strings to "tighten" the rod (i.e. flatten the neck). I do sometimes apply slight pressure to the neck while turning the wheel to make it a bit easier.

And always small adjustments - 1/4 turn or so at a time, with some time allowed for each adjustment to "settle-in".

 

[bbernard]

Loosened the strings and used a decent tool and things worked out fine. A little stiff but it moved easily enough. I am pretty cautious. I only tightened 1/8 turn and let sit overnight. I will check it later today and adjust further as required. Thanks again guys.