| Author | Message | ||
| echo008
Advanced Member Username: echo008 Post Number: 360 Registered: 2-2003 |
Hi Guys, I just picked up a brand new Excel 5 string. What Im seeing is that the bridge is already as low it can go and the action is high, Im tweaking the truss rods a little at a time but its not really doing too much, the action will not really go any lower it seems and Im worried Im going to max out the truss rods... has anyone had this happen to them? any advice is welcome thanks! - Tom | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 6007 Registered: 6-2000 |
Hi Tom, From your description, there's probably too much forward bow to the neck. So what you need to do is to tighten the truss rods (equally) so they can pull more backbow in the neck until there is only slight forward relief in the neck. If you only turn the truss rods a little, only a little movement will happen. Just use the 1/4" wrench and turn the nuts clockwise to tighten. Turn each one the same amount. Start with maybe a half turn each, then pick up the bass and play. If it's still too high, turn another half turn and play. You should get to a point where the neck will have the appropriate relief and the bottom of the strings will then be close to the tops of the frets. Joey famous post might also help: http://alembic.com/club/messages/16271/16318.html?1107545766 If you still cannot get the action as low as you want, and it's close to what you want, you could slot the saddles deeper. Otherwise, I'd need to talk to you more about your bass and understand more completely what is/isn't going on. It's been 8 years since the bass was made, and even though it's new with a warranty, it's had a little bit of its own life since we last saw it. | ||
| echo008
Advanced Member Username: echo008 Post Number: 361 Registered: 2-2003 |
Hi Mica, Thank you, Ive been turning the truss about a 1/4 turn each time and then waiting a bit to see what happens, my only worry is maxing the truss rod out, but Im not there yet.... If it continues to be a problem Ill let you know, thanks agin for the quick response. - T | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 7834 Registered: 5-2002 |
First, review Joey's setup procedure to make sure you have the neck relief where it should be. Truss rod adjustment is the most important part of getting the action right. If you've gone through the adjustment procedure and the action is still too high with the bridge touching the body, then the next thing to do would be to get a needle file and cut the saddle grooves a little deeper. You'll want to make sure you have good clearance over the rear bridge rail before you start cutting. But make sure you're finished with the truss rod adjustments first. Oh, and make sure the nut hasn't been raised; that could be contributing to your problem if it's high. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 6008 Registered: 6-2000 |
Max out? - I seriously have never seen that happen in the direction you are turning. You don't have to wait - the adjustments are pretty much immediate. Turn away! | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 7835 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hey, Mica beat me to it; always go with her suggestions before mine! | ||
| echo008
Advanced Member Username: echo008 Post Number: 362 Registered: 2-2003 |
LOL, thanks guys Im getting it, the rods must have been very loose, and I freaked a bit... it seems to be coming down, I did not want to make huge adjustments, but it seems like thats what it needed. and when the truss felt tight it really was fine and had plenty of relief to go. Anyway I think its going to be alright  |
