I’ve got a Ric 4003S that I don’t plan on playing often for a little bit. A luthier buddy of mine says you don’t need to tune down stringed instruments when storing and not playing them for a while. Is that right? Seems to me like maybe I should tune it down. It’s been since February last year since it was really in use and the action still feels fine but I’m thinking about tuning it down to no tension for while since I don’t plan on using it anytime soon. Any ideas?
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Detuning for storage
- Thread starter Mo Boogs
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- down tuning ric 4003s storage
No then the truss rod is pushing the neck without string tension. Or you loosen the truss rod too and have to do a setup to start playing again.
Playing a bass doesn’t relieve the tension of the strings at all, if anything tension is higher as you pluck. Why do you feel it’s ok to leave a bass at pitch when you play it but not when you don’t play it? There is no change. So leaving it at pitch in your house isn’t hurting it but more probably a good idea.
Playing a bass doesn’t relieve the tension of the strings at all, if anything tension is higher as you pluck. Why do you feel it’s ok to leave a bass at pitch when you play it but not when you don’t play it? There is no change. So leaving it at pitch in your house isn’t hurting it but more probably a good idea.
It makes absolutely non sense to me.
What do you plan to achieve by tuning the bass down for storage ?
What do you plan to achieve by tuning the bass down for storage ?
Turnaround
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Keep it in balance. No string tension means no truss rod tension, so if you slack the strings do the same with the truss rod. My best advice is to keep it in functioning condition, strings at tension balanced by the right tension on the truss rod.
Ah right on. Now that makes sense. I’ll leave em tuned up then.
IMHO the more important thing to consider for storage is humidity control. If the humidity varies hugely where you are, it's worth investing in some machinery to control it in your space, which in turn helps keep the basses from expanding/contracting while sitting around. A humidifier can also help mitigate fret sprout in extremely dry environments.
Actually, I need to practice what I preach; my 6-string bass has flea's chin hair action and after a heavy rain, it buzzes. A dehumidifier would do me good here in the southeastern US.
Actually, I need to practice what I preach; my 6-string bass has flea's chin hair action and after a heavy rain, it buzzes. A dehumidifier would do me good here in the southeastern US.
Basses are never detuned when they are stored or displayed in shops or when they are delivered from the factory.
I wouldn't detune any solid bodied instrument. Some acoustic guitar players say you should detune a little to relieve tension on the bridge since it's attached to the thinnish top. Others say this is BS.
I've stored several instruments for years without down tuning. Assuming you store the instrument in an environment with stable humidity and that your truss rod is working correctly, you just adjust the truss rod and action as needed when you are ready to play again.
If it were going to be half a year or more, I might de-tune AND take the tension off the truss rod, but generally no - I'd leave it strung up and at pitch. The one time I had basses with tension on them and didn't play them for years was when I had wrist issues. The basses were metal necked Kramers - those don't need tension relief, given how stiff and strong the necks are.
This, I would imagine leaving it with tension on the truss rod AND loose strings is going to cause you more problems than just leaving it tubes to pitch.
@Turnaround is a genius. No need to detune. It's a system. The moment the strings exert on the neck+body is equal to the moment the neck exerts on the strings+body. Leave it be.
Turnaround
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I used to be a genius. Now I'm and old fart. Next I think I will try codger.
No so sure. I’ve seen several MIM Fender basses and guitars drop shipped straight from a warehouse in factory sealed cartons and every one of them had slacked strings and truss rod.
That said, I don’t do it to my basses if i don’t play them for a while and I’ve never had any issues.
What does playing a bass do to it that is different than leaving it in a case? Does holding and fretting it really affect the neck that much?
I think leaving it hanging on a wall subject to elements would have a more dramatic effect on the neck.
I agree that you should put it in the case tuned up.
I think leaving it hanging on a wall subject to elements would have a more dramatic effect on the neck.
I agree that you should put it in the case tuned up.
Dude that is so funny you mention that... I have a neck thru 5 string that in 5 years has never needed to be adjusted. Yesterday was unusually hot & humid (for here) and as I was playing it the E & B strings started farting out on the frets, for the first time. Tripped me out!
The only instrument that I keep downtuned is my 12 string guitar which is tuned in D standard to reduce the tension. I've had it since 1998 and around 12 years ago it started lifting the bridge to the point that two internal soundboard braces had come away.
When I took up bass the guitar a couple of years or so after getting it fixed it got less and less playing time so I downtuned 2 semitones and it has been that way ever since. I've been picking it up a bit lately and it appears to still be in a state of balance. Action and relief have not changed noticeably. And in D standard it sounds FAT! For songs in E I just use a capo or transcribe depending on the song.
When I took up bass the guitar a couple of years or so after getting it fixed it got less and less playing time so I downtuned 2 semitones and it has been that way ever since. I've been picking it up a bit lately and it appears to still be in a state of balance. Action and relief have not changed noticeably. And in D standard it sounds FAT! For songs in E I just use a capo or transcribe depending on the song.
JeezyMcNuggles
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No, you don't. You do need no back completely off the truss rod though, if storing without strings. With strings, don't do it. The strings add tension, the rod adds reverse tension. Neck stays straight.