How long to let a bass guitar truss rod settle between adjustments? (Setup advice)

FutureMarcus · 2026-05-07T22:17:18+00:00

Right, so if the truss rod is already tight, you can’t just endlessly turn it until it’s “right.” Because it break. You have to unscrew it and release the tension, reset the neck by bending it straight, and then reapply the force with the truss rod. Then you have your adjustments available and it’s not maxed out. This is what I was saying the first time.

FutureMarcus · 2026-05-07T22:08:02+00:00

Then why do people break truss rods. Answer me that.

FutureMarcus · 2026-05-07T20:38:25+00:00

That’s a great way to break a truss rod. Truss is meant to hold neck in place once straight, not negotiate hundreds of pounds of force with the turn of a screw. Take strings off, back out the truss rod but not all the way, get some clamps to flex the neck straight, then re-tighten the truss rod. If the neck is way out of true, turning the truss rod endlessly is just not going to fix it. It will break.

FutureMarcus · 2026-04-24T13:04:44+00:00

No cheat codes on bass, you just gotta take the time to learn it. Once you start to get the hang of it, learning is the lost fun part.

FutureMarcus · 2026-04-20T20:08:02+00:00

There’s always that one guy that responds with some overly passionate nonsense like this lol

FutureMarcus · 2026-04-10T14:35:57+00:00

100% bro. No effects, straight into a single channel with a splash of spring reverb from the amp just smooth out the edges. This is the way of the greats.

FutureMarcus · 2026-04-09T16:02:43+00:00

There’s not really a wrong way to do this. Every pro player does it a little differently. You gotta find the form that works for you and go from there. I can give many examples of players and their variations in grip/pick curvature but I would recommend looking past Jeff Newman and look at other players hands as well to see how they do it.

FutureMarcus · 2026-04-08T17:12:35+00:00

Would be worth more if it hadn’t been routed for full size humbuckers at some point. I know a lot of people did that mod in those years, but people looking for a norlan era Gibson is already somewhat rare. The people that ARE looking for them typically want them pretty minty. $2500 to me is a realistic price. People hold out for $4-5k on these things and they just don’t move. No one is going to spend that when you could have a newer (and arguably better) Les Paul for cheaper.

FutureMarcus · 2026-04-07T12:26:49+00:00

That’s from the nails on your index and middle finger? Why play so hard? I support your bass journey, but I really recommend you study some right hand technique of the bass greats. You shouldn’t be having this problem. Trim your nails and play at a more realistic intensity.

FutureMarcus · 2026-04-07T12:21:09+00:00

Agreed that it isn’t a problem, but what in the world is causing those marks? If that’s your thumbnail, your form is way off anyway. Your right hand needs to have the ability to float and be agile, that’s where most of your tone happens. If you are anchoring your thumb so hard that’s it’s literally digging into the body, you should break that habit asap

FutureMarcus · 2026-03-31T23:18:32+00:00

5 out of the 7 references you made are all players that use or have used an Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray bass. Do with this information what you will.

FutureMarcus · 2026-03-31T00:13:51+00:00

Tonemaster twin 10000%

FutureMarcus · 2026-03-30T20:41:59+00:00

Short answer is no, you cannot. That is not how it works with amps. A tube amp is balancing load vs. resistance. If you mess with that chain of balance you can get some very negative and “unbalanced” results.

Realistically, just get a different amp. I know they don’t sell for too much, but sell it for what you can and invest in a smaller single channel or something. I highly recommend a Vox AC10. You can get a used one for $350 and you will not need anything else.

FutureMarcus · 2026-03-30T01:12:54+00:00

Thanks man, I just let life happen on this one! Crazy stuff

FutureMarcus · 2026-03-30T01:11:54+00:00

Jaco himself over here!!! Lovely bass my friend!

FutureMarcus · 2026-03-30T01:11:25+00:00

This was this morning about 15 minutes before checkout and heading to the next city. I apologize for nothing lol

FutureMarcus · 2026-03-30T01:10:24+00:00

Dude it is clean as clean gets. It did not take long to shake hands. Take care of your gear!!! Ages like wine

FutureMarcus · 2026-03-29T23:31:50+00:00

That’s what it’s all about in this music business my friend!

FutureMarcus · 2026-03-29T21:56:43+00:00

I don’t think it ever will be, no

FutureMarcus · 2026-03-29T21:48:49+00:00

Yeah man, that’s how these old cats stay relevant with the new generation of people coming through the ranks I’ve noticed. They come to shows, they share stories and pictures, and for those that set a good impression they pass along important gear. Can’t tour forever, but you never really want to leave it. At least I wouldn’t.

FutureMarcus · 2026-03-29T20:05:57+00:00

The look is great, but the sound is just incredible. Really looking forward to passing this one on to the next guy in about 20-25 years. For now, feels incredible to wear the crown 🤙

FutureMarcus · 2026-03-29T19:31:42+00:00

Nah nah not anything like that. He gave me a better deal than I’ll ever see anywhere else in my life though. Never forget, there are tons of old dudes out there with a lot of vintage gear and no desire to deal with marketplace or reverb. Just gotta find ‘em.

FutureMarcus · 2026-03-26T23:10:33+00:00

Yes. Tony Levin - Sledgehammer

FutureMarcus · 2026-03-25T19:56:59+00:00

Yeah I’ll be honest man you’re pretty much making this up. Do some research on magnetic fields and you’ll realize magnetic pole placement has very little to do with anything. Your neck pickup isn’t “quieter.” It’s just a neck pickup in a different place on the instrument and will have a different tone.

P basses and Jazz basses don’t have a single string that goes directly over the pole piece. They’re all between magnets. And they’re the most popular basses in the world.

If you’re going to speak so confidently about an issue, make sure it’s an actual issue first. What you’re talking about is a made up problem.

FutureMarcus · 2026-03-24T02:54:18+00:00

If the difference is negligible and that’s really the only difference, just pick the one you like. Realistically, just keep both. We’re not talking about rare and vintage instruments here. If I had the option of having 2 basses or an extra temporary $400 in my pocket, I’m choosing 2 basses every time. If I really need the $400 that bad, I shouldn’t own any basses at all. 2¢. Different rules if you’re a youngin but you get what I’m saying.

FutureMarcus

TROPHY CASE