bakerster135 Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 Does anyone know a good method (or tool) for adjusting the truss rod on an old Fender bass (at the heel) without having to take the neck off!? I'd rather avoid that if possible... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 If I need to then, I slacken the strings and loosen the screws enough to allow a little bit of a tilt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 [quote name='bakerster135' timestamp='1410955781' post='2554975'] Does anyone know a good method (or tool) for adjusting the truss rod on an old Fender bass (at the heel) without having to take the neck off!? I'd rather avoid that if possible... [/quote] you can also take the two rear neckplate screws out and tilt the neck back slightly in the pocket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerster135 Posted September 17, 2014 Author Share Posted September 17, 2014 Thanks for the advice guys. Yeah, just a wee bit terrified about even taking any bolts out of the neck, but I guess it's the only way... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 I can see enough of the end of the head without taking anything off mine to be able to get a screwdriver onto it and not leave a mark on the scratchplate on my '78 fretless but on my '78 fretted I can't ...although some helpful soul has historically done a bit of routing to allow a channel to the screw head...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 (edited) You have to be careful if you try to adjust without removing the neck. If the bass and neck aren't supported properly you can sometimes do more damage than it's worth. I've seen a bass where someone damaged the neck heel, body and a pair of screws by trying to just loosen two screws and tilting the neck - they then leant on the neck and it slipped sideways forcing it downwards and causing all sorts of nasty things to happen I usually just bite the bullet and take the whole neck off. Never had any issues doing this, just need to be methodical in loosening and re-tightening the screws. There's a simple guide here - it's for a new nck but gives basic tips on how to put the neck back in the pocket and tightening the screws etc: http://youtu.be/dyu0uylL9jc Edited September 17, 2014 by molan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinB Posted November 28, 2014 Share Posted November 28, 2014 Sorry this is a bit late.... I've only just seen the thread. Would this be any good? [url="http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Tools_by_Job/Truss_Rods/Truss_Rod_Crank_for_Tele.html"]http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Tools_by_Job/Truss_Rods/Truss_Rod_Crank_for_Tele.html[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CH161 Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 Also late to this, but in case anyone else needs the same information... Taking the neck off is not always necessary. Get a Cruz-Tools Cheater Driver - I generally don't have to remove the neck on a vintage Fender bass for adjustments. It's a long driver so gives a good torque. Also it won't damage the truss rod nut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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