How to fix a bowed bass guitar neck?

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  • Опубліковано 13 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 114

  • @janneboman8573
    @janneboman8573 3 роки тому +3

    Thumbs. I recently purchased a cheapo Yamaha P/J bass with a bent neck (too much relief). I fixed it exactly like in this video and now I have a perfectly fine backup bass :) Only difference is that I left the neck pressed into a backbow overnight (with the truss rod completely loose), tightened the truss rod before releasing and it stayed straight.

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  3 роки тому +2

      Thanks for the watch and comment! I am glad it worked out for you! Leaving the clamp on for a while is certainly one way to try to help coax the desired shape back in to the neck.

  • @musicalmotors
    @musicalmotors 7 місяців тому +1

    I like the clamp and tighten trick. What if the wood is too “bendy” and refuses to stay in shape once during tension is applied again?

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  7 місяців тому

      There may be bends in the wood that the truss rod can not fix. I would suggest taking it to a pro. The worst case scenario is you need to pull the frets, level the board, re fret, then fix the neck angle. Or replace the neck if it is a bolt on.

  • @dabanjo
    @dabanjo 2 роки тому +9

    I didn't even know you could take the nut completely out. So that tip helped 😂

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  2 роки тому +3

      Glad it helped. Thanks for the watch and comment!

    • @grantkoeller8911
      @grantkoeller8911 15 днів тому +2

      Not all basses will let the bolt come out, some have a wooden sleeve

  • @pekeciel
    @pekeciel 2 роки тому +1

    hi, excellent video! thanks, I did it today (squire vm fretless), really bowed, did the same but put two bags of rice on top (rice on a fabric bag warmed on microwave), just to heat things up, add some steam, I wonder how many hours/days I shoud keep it clamped?

  • @rudygracia5573
    @rudygracia5573 Рік тому +1

    My buddy gave me a Pre CBS Jazz bass,stripped,with a warped neck,to repair.If THIS method doesn't work,I used a different one,and it worked.I can't describe TOO much in detail here,but it involves utilizing 2 Irwin quick grip clamps,an 18"×1.5" strong pipe/rod,a small,square wooden block covered by a sock,to protect your finish(4"by4").Gently apply a backbow to the neck,leave the truss rod alone!I aply 1 clamp to the 1st fret,and 1 to the 14th fret?THEN,Place the neck on your car dashboard on a warm day,4-6hrs.Cover/protect the headstock with a rag.

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  Рік тому

      Sometimes this method can work to hold a neck straight, it has worked for me. What you suggest about leaving it in a hot place with the back bow in sounds good too.

    • @rudygracia5573
      @rudygracia5573 Рік тому

      @@MusicAndWood This method I describe has saved SO many necks!It HAS to be heat from direct sunlight.I learned this from a vintage guitar dealer/store owner friend of mine here in San Antonio.I saw a neck on the dashboard of his truck and asked WHAT he was doing.He replied;"Heat caused the warp(partially),heat will will take it out.I've done this with acoustic guitars,set necks&neck thru's too,but it's a bit more tricky,and not as effective.

  • @jimharrow8104
    @jimharrow8104 7 місяців тому +1

    Best set up video I've ever seen...
    Thanks a lot...

  • @dheeraj3945
    @dheeraj3945 5 місяців тому

    I've been looking for a solution for my bent guitar neck and fret buzz under straight neck. Trying to dampening the neck and drying it under pressure for like the past month or so. But this seems so much easier. Thank you

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  5 місяців тому +1

      Hope it works out for you!

  • @brianmclaughlin4419
    @brianmclaughlin4419 Рік тому +2

    Nice Clear Instructional. No bellowing hysterics required.😂😂😂❤

  • @Garedot
    @Garedot 3 роки тому +1

    I have some Vintage Fender but I still love my Squier Basses

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  3 роки тому

      Nice, I hope they are in better shape than mine was!

  • @anthonymorales842
    @anthonymorales842 2 роки тому +2

    My squier neck has the same thing goin on. Excellent vid much appreciated and happy new year

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  2 роки тому

      Thanks for the comment and happy new year!

  • @darklight4815
    @darklight4815 2 роки тому +8

    This video is helpful to many people I'm sure...thanks so much for sharing this information.
    🤘💀🤘

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  2 роки тому

      Very welcome! I hope it has, thanks for watching and commenting!

  • @Nelson_rod_riguez
    @Nelson_rod_riguez 2 роки тому +1

    Thank you so much! While trying to lower the action on my trust rod I noticed that when I would make quarter turns, nothing would change, so i think I might of made bigger turns than just a quarter.

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  2 роки тому +2

      Thanks for the watch and comment! Glad the video helped ! Always go slow with the truss rod. Give it a few hours or over night to settle and adjust if you really need to drastically change the relief helping the neck move with this method is a good idea. You can’t rely on the truss rod to dramatically bend the neck.

    • @grantkoeller8911
      @grantkoeller8911 15 днів тому

      To adjust action is bridge saddles!

    • @grantkoeller8911
      @grantkoeller8911 15 днів тому

      Truss rod controls the neck relief

  • @neanda
    @neanda 6 місяців тому

    thank you so much. I found my old bass guitar from my 90s grunge days, and it definately needs this. thank you :)

  • @thisoldmanchannel
    @thisoldmanchannel 2 роки тому +2

    Just did my neck on a TBRX174 and it got really tough to turn towards the end of the adjustment so much so that I could a have stripped the allen head screw on the truss rod. Using the clamps is a brilliant idea. Thank you for this video!

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  2 роки тому +1

      Thanks for the watch and comment! If you have to make a big adjustment, helping it along is always a good idea. Hope the clamps help!

  • @Hellion73
    @Hellion73 2 роки тому +1

    Hi. First of all, thank you for this vid. I have a couple of doubts tho: Could this procedure be made on a neck thru bass? and how much time should the neck stay clamped?

  • @donnymcgahan1158
    @donnymcgahan1158 Рік тому

    My bass is almost 18 years old and survived a house fire. It's neck is still not nearly as bad as this one, but its bad. I'm excited to try and straighten it out

  • @recordlabeldao7820
    @recordlabeldao7820 7 місяців тому

    My warwick corvette bubinga 6 string bass have some thing called ski jump and it wont even become straight i dont know this will help ?

  • @buska100
    @buska100 3 роки тому +2

    Great Vid. Just what I was after, I have a Yamaha BB400S Bass that has this same neck issue so I now know how to address it. It doesn't have an allen key type truss rod, I just have to find a hex nut socket wrench that fits the truss rod and I will give this a go. Cheers Mate

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  3 роки тому +1

      Glad I could help, I wish you luck with straightening that neck!

    • @buska100
      @buska100 3 роки тому +1

      @@MusicAndWood Thanks I will let You know how it goes 👍

  • @mrcabasa
    @mrcabasa 10 місяців тому

    What oil do you like for conditioning the wood? TIA!

  • @jimlytleworks
    @jimlytleworks 9 місяців тому

    Can I ask, how do I determine that I need washer(s) on a trussrod? I have a Peavey Patriot bass that is somewhat bowed.

  • @jwandhistools
    @jwandhistools 6 місяців тому +1

    I always push them into a backbow, then release the truss into proper relief. Never, ever tighten a truss rod on a bass under string tension. Asking for it.

  • @hugomejia593
    @hugomejia593 3 роки тому

    Hi Sir you are awesome great job now I take this problem with my fender American standard jazz bass I'm asking you for what reason the nut is came out side if I thighting out? Is this a truss rod broken? or for what's reason this happened to your bass and mine. appreciate your kind answer greetings from Mexico city

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  3 роки тому +1

      Hello. Thanks for the comment! The neck had bent forward on the bass pretty heavily because it was left in a warm humid environment with full tension on the strings. I tried to fix it with the truss rod but it didn’t have enough adjustment. I needed to add washers in the truss rod slot to give the truss rod nut more tension. I needed to pre tension and bend the neck to get it in the shape I wanted first, then tighten the truss rod nut in place to hold the shape. The idea was to not use the truss rod to get the shape, just use it to hold the shape.

  • @Musicore08
    @Musicore08 Рік тому

    I just got my first bass and being a guitar player all my life I'm used to setting up truss rods. But my bass has a massive bow in it. I though... I'll just give the rod a tweek but... The truss rod is fully tight and its not doing a thing. I've put washers on it and nothing, now I'm trying this but can't get the neck to back bow under clamping 😕 and it just goes straight back to looking like a banana when in tune. I even shimed the neck at the body to help action and I'm almost at using it as fire wood 😭

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  Рік тому

      Oh no! Might try clamping it in a back bow and leaving in a hot place like on the dash of a car in the sun. There was a comment suggesting this as an option. Seems like something else to try.

  • @leighfilmer1962
    @leighfilmer1962 Рік тому

    I was wondering that when you check the intonation.....what fret are you using please. Thanks Lazza

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  Рік тому +2

      Hello, thanks for the watch and comment. Generally you want to get the neck relief correct, set the action, then intonation. For the action there are two places you could look one is where the neck heel is the other is the 12th fret. I generally like to set action based on the 12th fret. You will want to press down on the strings at the 1st fret to remove the nut from the equation when setting the action. For the intonation you will want to tune the guitar in a playing position, on each string you would play the open note then the 12th fret which is an octave higher. Both should measure perfectly on pitch with a tuner. If the 12th fret note is above or below the target pitch you will want to move the saddle forward or backward, the the string open again and repeat. There are a couple more factors that can make intonation sound off even when the 12 fret and open are perfectly pitched. When fretting the first few notes on the neck if they go high it might mean the nut slots are too high, this can cause a string to be bent too much when you fret the notes. The other potential issue could be string gauge, if you notice that your chords don’t sound right it might be because the string gauge is too small so when you press harder that forces the string out of tune. Pro tip, if you change string gauges you have to start from step 1 all over again, neck relief, action, then intonation. Hope that helped.

    • @leighfilmer1962
      @leighfilmer1962 Рік тому +1

      @@MusicAndWood Thanks it's helped alot. I'll note back how I went. 🎤

  • @jacoblee2400
    @jacoblee2400 Рік тому

    A very informative video. My Fender Jazz Bass has that exact same problem. Thanks for the info.

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  Рік тому

      Thanks for the watch and comment! I hope it works out for you.

  • @bass-hiroshimanick2534
    @bass-hiroshimanick2534 3 роки тому +4

    I just happened to come across this video, great job getting that neck straightened out! I have a question; at about the 3:45 mark what brand of clamp are you using? I'd like to get one of those. Also, nice walking bass line at the end.

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  3 роки тому +1

      Hey thanks for watching and commenting! I use Bessey clamps. Thanks for the nice words about the bass line, I very rarely play bass, normally I am plucking at a guitar.

    • @bass-hiroshimanick2534
      @bass-hiroshimanick2534 3 роки тому +1

      @@MusicAndWood , you're welcome and thanks for the info on Bessey clamps.

  • @braxtoncox1097
    @braxtoncox1097 3 роки тому +1

    what size washers are those

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  2 роки тому

      I had to enlarge the center hole of some washer I got from the hardware store. This video talks about it.
      ua-cam.com/video/pN00g1xANds/v-deo.html

  • @seaweedslitherz
    @seaweedslitherz 7 місяців тому

    Can you do this same method with a bass where the neck goes all the way through the body?

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  7 місяців тому +1

      You should be able to, just be careful not to mess it up. If it is a pricy instrument you might want to take it to a pro.

    • @seaweedslitherz
      @seaweedslitherz 7 місяців тому

      @@MusicAndWood how much should a luthier charge for this type of work on a bass?

  • @michaeljohnson3913
    @michaeljohnson3913 7 місяців тому

    How do I know if my truss rod is just tight or if I need to add some washers?

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  7 місяців тому

      Truss rods are kinda tight under tension. You can remove the truss rod nut to see how far it was down.

  • @michaelmcdowell7096
    @michaelmcdowell7096 2 роки тому

    I may try this on my Ibanez Geo. I had it inotated at a shop and it made half the fret board unusable. I really wanted to love this mom and pop shop but they were so bad, I told them I wanted a guitar that would be dropped like 2+ steps amd he admitted when I got it back that he did it for standard but it works the same. They even had a guitar amd a separate bass guy and sadly idt they know as much as they should 😥.

  • @azam-tg7ry
    @azam-tg7ry 6 місяців тому

    my SG EB3 same problem

  • @marofkhan70
    @marofkhan70 Рік тому

    you look like Jim carrey 😊👍👍👍👍 thanks for the lesson sir.

  • @jimsnorgleson
    @jimsnorgleson 2 роки тому

    How far down did you clamp the neck? I clamped mine down 3/16 in the middle compared to the ends I was afraid to go anymore and it did not help even with 4 washers.

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  2 роки тому

      I didn’t really measure just made sure the neck was in a nice back bow and tightened on the truss rod but to hold it in position. You could try clamping more seeing if the truss rod holds it decently flat. If this is a pricy guitar or you really don’t want to deal it take it to a luthier to have them work on it. There are other ways to over come the next relief issue but, they are more involved than this. Such as pulling the frets and sanding the fret board flat if it is not to bad. Also could replace the neck.

    • @jimsnorgleson
      @jimsnorgleson 2 роки тому +1

      @@MusicAndWood I actually did this without washers on a p bass and it worked perfect. I need the neck because its a road worn bass, it matches the body. I will try 3/8 maybe leave it for a few days and if that doesn't work next is heat. Thanks

  • @Elo_madu
    @Elo_madu Рік тому

    What did you put inside the hole of the truss rod. Didn't hear you clearly

  • @tedkay3750
    @tedkay3750 2 роки тому

    do you have a idea what this most cost at a repair guitar shop? my baas has that same bend in it.

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  2 роки тому

      Hey thanks for the watch and question. It depends on where you go, the instrument being worked on, what exactly needs to be done, and whom is doing the work. I would expect if it is the same problem as in the video somewhere around $50 to $150. More if the truss rod or neck needs to be replaced.

  • @virginiagal8517
    @virginiagal8517 3 роки тому +1

    Totally cool!

  • @jakefoxx7978
    @jakefoxx7978 3 роки тому +1

    The truss rod nut in my Squier doesn't come out even after loosening it to the max

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  3 роки тому +2

      Hello thanks for watching, also thanks for asking a question ! There are a couple possibilities. One is that it is a slightly tight fit, if you can get some paste wax or something to lubricate the truss rod nut hole you may be able to wiggle it out. Go slow, wiggle and turn the nut out with a hex wrench. The other less likely possibly issue is that the hole is too small altogether to remove the truss rod nut. There are couple reasons, expansion of the wood might be one. I would suggest the lubrication / turn / wiggle method first. If that doesn’t work you might have to remove the truss rod plug. I would really avoid trying to remove the plug though, it is also unlikely that you will have to resort to that.

    • @jakefoxx7978
      @jakefoxx7978 3 роки тому

      @@MusicAndWood it does look like a plug used to be there but wasn't when I got it out of the box, and I have read about Squier using either a single action rod or what they call a bi-flex. This bi-flex rod has that plug on top which should also have a washer that sits beneath it, and out of the box I had niether. The wrench that came with it was also just too small, that is, it had room to wiggle in that hex space which I understand is not what you want. My guess is Reverb sent my uncle, the one who bought it for me for Christmas, a tampered with or fluke instrument. I'd hate to believe that Squier would make faulty rods and put them into already sensitive/weak necks, so I probably got unlucky with this model. Still, it's endured freezing weather from back in February and I've managed to set the action to where there is only a slight uneven string height. You can still look at the neck from the side and see the headstock end of the neck is bent upward, but it's not as bad as when I first came across it in the Spring. I would rather the neck be it's flat self again knowing how much more playable it is, although it's totally still functional as of now. The rod nut used to at least be able to loosen but now it doesn't budge either direction and even the stew Mac gripper wrench just smoothly rotates when you turn it. At one point I did clamp the neck to help the truss rod move but loosening it all the way still wasn't enough to free it, assuming it's even made to come out. Worst case scenario is the rod that's inside the neck isn't even a real rod, or it's been abused before someone decided to sell it on Reverb. Truth be told it does look rather nasty with its uneven edges around the hole where the wrench goes. Any amount of turning a wrench in there just leaves scratches on the key and metal shavings all over the sides of the nut. A local guitar shop I've taken it to couldn't figure out, or so it seems since they left the painfully obvious bow exactly the way it was when I addressed to them and waited two weeks for them to set it up. Even though it's a less than desired situation, I'm glad I can still play it and have a small sweet spot with the string height.

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  3 роки тому +1

      Wow, sounds like you have been going through an ordeal trying to get the neck right on the guitar! I would suggest to try to find a guitar tech that will work on it. A good one should be able to look at the situation and suggest what can be done to remedy it. Good luck, I hope you can get it fixed!

  • @pineapplej7310
    @pineapplej7310 3 роки тому +1

    Subbing for this video. First video of yours I've seen. I really like it, very informative and never boring

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  3 роки тому +1

      Thanks for the watch, comment, and sub!

  • @grantkoeller8911
    @grantkoeller8911 8 місяців тому +1

    Excellent job!!
    I tightened my truss rod and the finger board cracked on the first fret

  • @Punkologist
    @Punkologist 8 місяців тому

    I have this problem with my bass but I'm a total beginner. I wouldn't even know how to take the strings off or replace them for example. I imagine getting a guitar repair guy to do this would be expensive?

  • @shrek2andgoku
    @shrek2andgoku Рік тому +2

    You earned a sub, great content. Hopefully I can restore my bass using this technique. Also got a chuckle from 7:33. I'm so mature 😂

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  Рік тому +1

      Haha thanks and hope you are able to bring it back to playable! Thanks for the sub!!

  • @Jinnuksuk
    @Jinnuksuk 3 роки тому +2

    Man, I wish I had clamped my guitar neck before trying to relieve the bow. I broke my truss rod so now that guitar is now absolutely unusable... Unless you're okay with a badly intonated, really bowed, very high action guitar neck.

    • @OrangutanTradeSalesmen
      @OrangutanTradeSalesmen Рік тому

      Did the same, was able to save the guitar with the stew mac truss rod rescue. Just need to bore a bit intoo the neck and then re-cut the new threads, then install a new nut. Now need to clamp before trying again

    • @schwamp_4479
      @schwamp_4479 3 місяці тому

      That sucks mate! This might be a useless comment but worth a try if it suits your guitar. If the truss rod uses a socket to adjust as opposed to an Allen key, the thread on that nut may be stripped?

  • @evocoil7715
    @evocoil7715 3 роки тому +2

    Was reeeeeely hoping for a before and after.
    Seems that shot was carefully avoided.

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  3 роки тому

      Hello, thanks for the comment! You can see the bad relief at 0:57 and after fixing the neck you can see and hear me testing the neck with a straightedge at 5:27

  • @iancharles9222
    @iancharles9222 2 роки тому

    Do you have any fix for ski jump issue?

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  2 роки тому +1

      Hey great question! The correct way to fix that issue is to pull the frets off the fret board and sand down the fretboard with a radiused sanding block. Of course, make sure the neck is as straight as can be. One additional thought might be to loosen the truss rod a bit to allow for more adjustment after re-surfacing the fret board. I would suggest before diving into a job like this, you take the guitar to a luthier and have them look at it. This is not a very simple job and you could ruin your neck. Thanks for the watch and comment, good luck!

    • @iancharles9222
      @iancharles9222 2 роки тому

      @@MusicAndWood Thanks for answering. Also, alternatively can this also be solved by fret levelling on the affected part of the neck?

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  2 роки тому

      You could level the frets but, you may have too much material that needs to be removed from the peaks on the hump in the neck. You could try doing a fret level first but the best fix would be to level the fret board then re-fret and level the frets after that.

    • @iancharles9222
      @iancharles9222 2 роки тому

      @@MusicAndWood if the ski jump is not that severe, would fret levelling be enough?

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  2 роки тому

      If there is just a slight hump you should be able to use a leveling beam to get it right. It will also depend on the hight of the fret wire that is there.

  • @jcmapula1544
    @jcmapula1544 5 місяців тому

    is this a permanent solution?

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  5 місяців тому

      It has held up for me

    • @jcmapula1544
      @jcmapula1544 5 місяців тому

      ​@@MusicAndWood after this procedure does the trust rod has more room for adjustment ?

  • @MoGiMaL
    @MoGiMaL 2 роки тому

    Get that nut out real quick. Are you by chance from Saskatchewan, Alberta, or Manitoba? Thanks for the tutorial. I will now attempt the repair.

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  2 роки тому

      Lol thanks. No, I am not, I am from the US east coast. Good luck!

  • @kelkaradwait9888
    @kelkaradwait9888 3 роки тому

    Sir I don't have trust rod and my guitar is really bend and this guitar is acoustic

    • @MusicAndWood
      @MusicAndWood  3 роки тому

      Hello, most guitars should have a truss rod, otherwise the neck would collapse. The one exception that comes to mind is a classical acoustic guitar made for nylon strings, the tension from the strings is not enough to bend the neck. If this is a classical guitar and the neck is bent you should take it to a luthier. Otherwise I would search the internet for your guitar model and look for directions on adjusting the truss rod. Good luck!

  • @d.l.hutson9953
    @d.l.hutson9953 3 роки тому +1

    Thanks I hope my works and I know why your using super glue instead of Krazy glue. Lol like liquid nails.

  • @doorgedraaid399
    @doorgedraaid399 3 роки тому +1

    use woodglue instead of super glue

  • @1959Berre
    @1959Berre Рік тому +1

    Do not use super glue for the nut.

  • @AveryBCStudios
    @AveryBCStudios 2 роки тому

    bro, yo mic so BUZZY

  • @LeviBulger
    @LeviBulger 2 роки тому +1

    Hey aren't you in Blink 182?

  • @labicidesaturno
    @labicidesaturno Рік тому +1

    It doesn't seem like a decent repair, the wood will tend to bend again and adjusting the truss rod in these conditions could easily break it, the fingerboard must be loosened to repair that bow

    • @JokerLover123
      @JokerLover123 6 місяців тому

      What do you mean by "the fingerboard must be loosened"?

  • @carlosc.garzajr.9699
    @carlosc.garzajr.9699 2 роки тому +1

    Throw it away.