IM MY OWN LUTHIER..WELL ALMOST!

[white_cloud]

Thanks for the support folks - very appreciated
 
Update; I have found a tool in my garage that fits the nut, I dont know why but it does - hurrah! However heres the deal, the nut will loosen off but wont tighten - its obviously at its limit. The relief in the neck could still be better so Im thinking perhaps I should take the nut off completely, add a washer to give a little better travel for the nut on the truss, and re-fit.  
 
What do you guys think?  
 
I guess its now a question of how straight I can get the neck and how low will the action go. Im really finding out now how much of this set-up business boils down to feel!
 
P.s. its worth mentioning that I would never attempt this stuff on my Alembic yet!
 
(Message edited by white cloud on February 09, 2008)

[David Houck]

When you are looking down the neck from the headstock, is there still a lot of bow?  If so, then I'm thinking that, for this particular bass, adding the washer should be ok.

[jacko]

Go with the washer and while you have the nut off, take it into guitar guitar or sound control and see if they can supply a replacement with an undamaged allen profile. It should be a standard thread but the guys in the shop ought to be able to check.
 
Graeme

[white_cloud]

Dave,
 
I wouldnt describe the neck as having a lot of bow - with no strings fitted the neck has a touch of back bow, with strings fitted just a touch too much up-bow! I reckon a further 1/5th turn on the nut will do the job and bring the action into the low category.
 
I guess my decision is do I settle for a medium action or go for a low? This model of bass is hyped as being supremely playable (JB uses it as his main gigging instrument after all) but Im aware that each indiviual instrument will naturally have its own characteristics.
 
It also has to be remembered that this bass has previously been meddled with by someone of little skill/knowledge.
 
Im spoilt by the fact my Persuader has the lowest action feasible on a bass - its actually a bit too low for me! I wouldnt have believed an action as low was possible before I bought her!
 
John

[David Houck]

Well with this bass, why not try to make it work.  However, you have made a lot of changes in just one day; so you may want to give it a couple of days to a week or so to settle in before tightening further.

[white_cloud]

Thanks Dave and Graeme,
 
Good advice that I will follow!
 
John.

[white_cloud]

Okay,
 
Washer fitted and rod tightened - neck is straighter and action has lowered a bit more!
 
Time to leave for a day or two and see how the land lies!
 
John.