Truss rod adjustment on left-handed Sterling

[epatton]

HI,

Is the truss rod adjustment the same on left-handed Sterlings as with right-handed ones? So, if I'm sighting down the neck from the bridge to the headstock, I turn counter-clockwise to tighten the truss and thereby decrease relief in the neck?

Thanks,

~ Eric.

 

[Psycho Ward]

First, welcome to the forum! And by being a lefty you are automatically a member of the Kingdom of Lefthanzia, so welcome to the Kingdom too!

I would think the truss wheel is the same as our right hand brothers, quite sure in fact.

Show us some pictures of your bass, we really like pictures!

Have fun here.

 

[Psycho Ward]

Clockwise will tighten the wheel nut. These are American basses, not backward Chinese threads. Tight increases relief... right, um, correct?

 

[bovinehost]

I turn counter-clockwise to tighten the truss and thereby decrease relief in the neck?

Even on a lefty backwards bass, I don't think that's right, but it should be easy enough to test it.

Righty tighty, lefty loosey, and that should be true even in Chuck's Kingdom.

Right?

 

[Psycho Ward]

Even on a lefty backwards bass, I don't think that's right, but it should be easy enough to test it.

Righty tighty, lefty loosey, and that should be true even in Chuck's Kingdom.

Right?

Hell if I really know, I've never had to adjust an EBMM bass. As long as I use the same string type that came on the bass I haven't had to do anything but smile...

 

[tkarter]

Hell if I really know, I've never had to adjust an EBMM bass. As long as I use the same string type that came on the bass I haven't had to do anything but smile...

So in Chuck's world they never need adjusted.

tk

 

[bovinehost]

Tight increases relief... right, um, correct?

Dammit, Chuck, are you trying to suck me into a setup thread?

Tightening the truss rod DECREASES relief. Tightening the truss rod STRAIGHTENS the neck.

Of this, I am sure, unless I am drinking, which I might well be.

 

[epatton]

Urk. Me hands are sore from trying to learn Erotomania....John Myung is just a sick bastard, that's all I have to say. I wanted to lower the action so I could play a bit faster, but I've tweaked the truss both ways without much effect.

How long do you have to wait to let the bass settle between truss adjustments?

And thanks for the welcome to...er....LeftHandzia.... I'd post a photo of my bass, but I don't really have one handy. It's a honey-burst with rosewood neck, black pickguard and maple headstock.

~ Eric.

 

[epatton]

Dammit, Chuck, are you trying to suck me into a setup thread?

Tightening the truss rod DECREASES relief. Tightening the truss rod STRAIGHTENS the neck.

Of this, I am sure, unless I am drinking, which I might well be.

And, just to reiterate, this means a clockwise turn? How many quarter turns does it take before you start noticing a difference?

~ Eric.

 

[tkarter]

1/4 turn makes a noticable difference. Measuring tells you a lot. It doesn't take much time for it to happen either. I know everyone says to let it settle but that is not something I have really seen. It needs to have some relief out turn it a bit and the relief is out of it.

YMMV

tk

 

[jongitarz]

Dammit, Chuck, are you trying to suck me into a setup thread?

Tightening the truss rod DECREASES relief. Tightening the truss rod STRAIGHTENS the neck.

Of this, I am sure, unless I am drinking, which I might well be.

Even when drunk or drinking, Mr. Cow guy is spot on. Cows have spots. Now it all makes sense.Right?

 

[epatton]

One thing I noticed about a difference between right-handed vs. left-handed truss adjustment though: If you have the right-handed bass in playing position in your lap, "righty-tighty" means a clockwise turn towards the floor, and "lefty-loosy" means a counter-clockwise turn towards your head. HOWEVER, on a left-hand bass, this is reversed. Righty-tighty on a left-handed bass means a clockwise turn towards your head, and "left-loosy" means a counter-clockwise turn towards the floor. So sorry for being dense about it, but I'm still confused about the situation.

~ Eric.

 

[russinator]

No head, floor, or mirrors involved!
Your first post was correct sight-wise. Sighting down the the neck from the bridge end to the headstock, turning the trussrod clockwise tightens it, and counterclockwise loosen it. The string tension works against the trussrod tension. If you have the trussrod loose, it will look like a bow and arrow vs the string, thus more relief.

 

[Psycho Ward]

So in Chuck's world they never need adjusted.

tk

I don't think I've ever touched the wheel on an EBMM, at least I don't remember it. I have other basses that I had to take the neck off to adjust the rod, I DO remember having to do that... that is so stupid!

Now if I could get an EBMM style wheel for my back I'd have much better posture.

 

[epatton]

No head, floor, or mirrors involved!
Your first post was correct sight-wise. Sighting down the the neck from the bridge end to the headstock, turning the trussrod clockwise tightens it, and counterclockwise loosen it. The string tension works against the trussrod tension. If you have the trussrod loose, it will look like a bow and arrow vs the string, thus more relief.

Great! Thanks for clearing this up! I've been cranking it the wrong way, then!

~ Eric.

 

[Figjam]

I love the ebmm truss rod wheels. It is one of my favorite features. For most people its a minor plus, but for a setup freak such as I, its a blessing. Thanks

 

[strummer]

Dammit!

All intents and purposes the spokewheel is a normal nut, and you turn it the normal way (clock-wise) for tightening the rod, thus straightening the neck.

Forget about all that crap about playing positions, florrs and sheit, and realize Sterling was right: We shouldn't be trusted with tools

 

[sloshep]

All intents and purposes the spokewheel is a normal nut, and you turn it the normal way (clock-wise) for tightening the rod, thus straightening the neck.

Forget about all that crap about playing positions, florrs and sheit, and realize Sterling was right: We shouldn't be trusted with tools

If a right handed bass player leaves Seattle going 35mph and a Left handed bass player leaves St. Louis going 30mph where will their truss rods meet? AHHHH. You guys hurting my head with all these position of the floor, roof, and the phases of the moon. I agree, its a basic mechanical design.

 

[azzy_wazzy]

I love the ebmm truss rod wheels. It is one of my favorite features. For most people its a minor plus, but for a setup freak such as I, its a blessing. Thanks

It is also one of my favourite features - however unlike Figgy, I am a setup moron (I know BP, I know, I shouldn't be so hard on myself, but it's true!)

 

[tkarter]

Clock wise and counter clock should be easily understood.
A call to customer service would for sure tell ya


tk