Small scewdriver if you need to remove a truss rod cover. Laying the bass flat puts tension on the neck which will affect the accuracy of your measurements and adjustments.

Fender Bi Flex Truss Rod Nut Repair Rod Guitar Fender

You can check the straightness with a straight edge of some sort.

Adjusting bass truss rod. How to adjust the truss rod on a bass guitar press the e string down at the first fret with your left hand and hold it. Tune the string s back to pitch to check the straightness of the neck. Tighten the truss rod adjusting nut to straighten a neck that has an up bow.

Balance the body of the bass on your lap so you can use both of your hands to adjust the truss rod. You may find the strings to be in the way of turning the truss rod. Adjustment wrench that fits your guitar s truss rod nut.

Rest the bass guitar in your lap as though you were going to play it. The trick is knowing when you ve got the neck the way you want it. Learn how from our expert bass guitar repair specialist in this free instrument maintenance.

Electronic tuner clamp on or rack mounted digital tuner. When tuned up to pitch the strings will put several hundred pounds of pressure on the neck more than enough to bend it. Loosen the nut if the neck is back bowed.

Or you can use your bass strings as a straight edge. Press the e string down at the last fret with your right hand. String height gauge with 1 32 and 1 64 markings.

Adjust the truss rod on a bass guitar by looking down the neck at the frets and using an allan wrench. What tools do i need to adjust a truss rod. A truss rod is a metal bar usually made from steel or graphite that reinforces the neck of a guitar bass or other stringed instruments.

Sight the neck to see what condition it s in. Here s how to evaluate and adjust your electric or acoustic neck with a minimum of tools. Hold the bass in playing position in your lap.

If they are detune loosen them and move them out of the way while you turn the truss rod.