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bigthemat

Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2010
Messages
16
Location
Utah
Hey all,

Just bought me a Sterling 5 (ball family reserve model)... got a killer deal at guitar center on a floor model. In the store it sounded and felt great, although the strings were pretty old. So, got a new set of strings.

Anyway, noticed a lot of buzz, time to do a set up. Well, looks like the truss rod was tightened like 100%. Loosened it up since the neck was back bowing.

Well, that was like 2 weeks ago. The neck is still slightly back-bowed, and having the strings at such high heights to avoid the buzz isn't ideal. I figured it would take some time for the neck to loosen up, but really I'm starting to wonder if I got a dud.

My wonder is if it is something on my end. The weather has drastically changed where I live, literally from 70s to snow overnight. Is that having a huge effect on the neck? Also, am I doing something wrong when adjusting the truss rod wheel? The wheel is foreign to me, but from prowling the forums I've found handy info on which way to turn, etc.

Any help would be graciously appreciated. I've been searching the forums but nothing specifically to what I'm dealing with. I spent a lot of cash on this bass, and really love it, and really hope I didn't get a lemon.

thanks!
 

bigthemat

Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2010
Messages
16
Location
Utah
Well, it was a floor model. I don't know how long it sat out, but they had taken it down almost $1000 from the original list price. It is still under 30 days, so I guess I still have that option...
 

bovinehost

Administrator
Joined
Jan 16, 2003
Messages
18,197
Location
Dall-Ass, TX
I had a bass once that wouldn't fall in love with the low-tension strings I wanted to put on it. Loosened the truss rod completely and still it wouldn't pull into proper relief.

So after completely loosening the truss rod, I overtightened the strings a full step to force some relief into the neck. Let it sit for two days so the wood would remember what I wanted.

Tuned the strings to pitch, tightened the truss rod to proper relief - voila.
 

bigthemat

Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2010
Messages
16
Location
Utah
I should have called customer support first... didn't even know it existed (I'm a newbie to the wonderful world of EBMM). On a side note, they are prob. the best customer service I've ever called.

Got connected with AJ. He said the truss rod might be stuck and to apply some pressure on the neck to help guide the bow back. He said I should hear a little pop or crack, meaning the rod unstuck. Followed his advice, heard the pop, and now the buzz is going away and from what I can tell the relief is coming back. It will probably take a little time for it to fully adjust since it was tweaked for so long.

But looks like things are going back to normal. I'd be really sad if I had to return it, I really love my new bass.

thanks for the advice everyone.
 

bigthemat

Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2010
Messages
16
Location
Utah
Ok, here are a couple from an impromptu photo shoot. Ignore my weird and ugly faces

DSC01584.jpg


DSC01582.jpg


DSC01586.jpg
 

five7

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 24, 2008
Messages
4,296
What is hip? That tower of power poster and you and one killer bass!!!
 
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