Bass: Straightening A Neck (no Truss Rod At All)

[Jera Woden]

im looking for some help in starighting a neck on a very old bass guitar(im not exectly sure how old). the neck has NO TRUSS ROD AT ALL (its not hidden in the neck joint). well im wondering if there is any way to fix it. and if there is is it some thing i can do my self?

thanks for the help.

[iskim86]

i don't think you can, but you can try putting it in between two flat wooden or metal boards and hold it for a few days in that position. but i doubt it'll work.

[Curtis P]

what kind of bass is it?? are you sure its not adjustbale at the heel?

Curtis

[Southpa]

It depends, there are ways to use blocks situated at key points and then applying pressure for a long time, maybe use some steam or heat to help things along. But that is the most radical approach and used in extreme situations.

It also depends on the extent of the warp/bow, if you lay a straightedge along the face you can get a good idea. Very small corrections might be possible by changing how the frets seat into their slots. eg. Too wide a fret in too narrow slot could force a slight backbow overall. If there is a slight forward bow made by string tension you could try using tighter fitting frets.

Another approach might be to remove all the frets, sand the fretboard flat (lengthwise ) with a radiused block and then reinstall the frets.

Edited May 20, 2005 by Southpa

[guitar_ed]

I don't know how to do it, but fixing a neck without a truss is called "compression" by my luthier. He did that to a Gretsch NYer for me. So he it is possible.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

Guitar Ed

[Setch]

Which way is it bowed?

Basically you need to heat the neck, applying heat to the fretboard (I use a domestic iron) until you can feel the heat at the back of the neck. With the neck still good and hot, use a straight bar, and shims, to clamp the neck past straight (ie: If it is back bowed, don't clamp it straight, clamp it with a small forward bow, and vice versa).

Allow the neck to cool fully (I like to leave it at least overnight) and then unclamp and check the relief. You may have to do this more than once, and there is a degree of trial and error involved when determining how much to over correct by.

If you have binding, proceed with caution, and watch the binding like a hawk all the way through, since you really don't want it to sag or separate.