andyonbass Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 (edited) Ever tried to adjust your trussrod and found it to be tightened up to the maximum with no adjustment left? I just did, so I thought I would post my attempt to get round it. First thing I did was take the strings off, and then removed the neck, which is not strictly necessary, but I find it easier to handle. I then gingerly unscrewed the trussrod nut and removed it, exposing the threaded end of the rod (sorry for the poor quality, havent figured out how to work the camera properly yet!) [attachment=55799:S6300075.JPG] Here's the trussrod nut [attachment=55800:S6300077.JPG] Now I need to find a spacer, after a rummage through my odds'n'sods drawer all I could find was this [attachment=55801:S6300082.JPG] Its gotta fit down the trussrod hole and over the threaded end of the rod so the hole in the middle has to be bigger than the threaded end and I'm gonna have to round the corners off a bit to fit [attachment=55802:S6300083.JPG] That was too much like hard work, so I devised a cunning plan, I screwed it on to a bolt, stuck it in a drill clamped to my workmate and held the file on it while it rotated. [attachment=55803:S6300088.JPG] [attachment=55804:S6300087.JPG] Which soon whittled it down to a similar diameter to the nut, enabling it to fit down the hole and over the rod [attachment=55805:S6300089.JPG] [attachment=55810:S6300090.JPG] You can just see it in situ, over the trussrod, with some of the threads still exposed [attachment=55806:S6300096.JPG] Trussrod nut screwed back on, after a smidgen of vaseline applied to the threads [attachment=55807:S6300101.JPG] Back on with the neck, [attachment=55808:S6300103.JPG] string up to tension and check relief. After loosening the tension and adjusting the trussrod a few times I now have a nice low action and plenty of adjustment left. Job done! [attachment=55809:S6300106.JPG] Edited August 4, 2010 by andyonbass 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnylager Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 Top job Andy, this needs sticky'ed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 Interesting, glad it worked for you. Do you think it's a safe strategy, it kinda pre-supposes that the neck can be infinitely tightened? I'd be interested to hear what luthiers think? Cheers Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyonbass Posted August 5, 2010 Author Share Posted August 5, 2010 I think over time, the pressure of the truss rod nut against the wood compresses it, requiring additional turns to achieve the same level of relief, and its also likely the wood dries out and shrinks a bit. The method above enables me to achieve a few more mm of threads. On a decent neck its probably not an issue. [quote name='Beedster' post='915656' date='Aug 5 2010, 09:34 AM']Interesting, glad it worked for you. Do you think it's a safe strategy, it kinda pre-supposes that the neck can be infinitely tightened? I'd be interested to hear what luthiers think? Cheers Chris[/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alien Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 [quote name='andyonbass' post='915681' date='Aug 5 2010, 10:03 AM']I think over time, the pressure of the truss rod nut against the wood compresses it, requiring additional turns to achieve the same level of relief[/quote] That's it, in a nutshell. Putting a couple of washers under a truss rod nut is a pretty common fix - I've done it myself on a few occasions. A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 [quote name='andyonbass' post='915681' date='Aug 5 2010, 10:03 AM']I think over time, the pressure of the truss rod nut against the wood compresses it, requiring additional turns to achieve the same level of relief, and its also likely the wood dries out and shrinks a bit. The method above enables me to achieve a few more mm of threads. On a decent neck its probably not an issue.[/quote] Ah, OK, that makes sense, but, if you'll excuse my ignorance, it still strikes me as a little risky. Is there not the possibility that a neck will get to a certain point at which only working the wood will do the job, i.e., that by increasing the tension on the rod as you've done you run the risk of pulling it out of its housing? C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyonbass Posted August 10, 2010 Author Share Posted August 10, 2010 [quote name='Beedster' post='915981' date='Aug 5 2010, 02:05 PM']Ah, OK, that makes sense, but, if you'll excuse my ignorance, it still strikes me as a little risky. Is there not the possibility that a neck will get to a certain point at which only working the wood will do the job, i.e., that by increasing the tension on the rod as you've done you run the risk of pulling it out of its housing? C[/quote] Possibly, in which case you'll end up with a neck that cant be adjusted......Which is what you've got anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieD_FenderP2009 Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 I actually think I love you... Just took delivery of an 87 Fender american P with a maxed out truss rod and i didn't know what to do You've saved me a tonne of money! thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuee Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Funny, I was just looking into this today (I've got an '81 Tokai Hard Puncher with exactly this problem) & came across this: [url="http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_tools_for_Truss_rods/Truss_Rod_Rescue_Kit.html"]Stew Mac Truss Rod Saver Kit[/url] Similar technique (watch the video) except the tool allows you to cut into the neck itself so as to extend the thread further down the truss rod - great if the rod is broken or the thread stripped - & comes with a die to cut the thread & spacers to finish the job. Looks brilliant, but at £145 it ain't cheap! OK for a luthier though I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cd_david Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 Just incase you have an old bike chain lying around the roller element of a segment makes the prefect washer, they fit over truss rods and are nice and wide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyonbass Posted March 6, 2011 Author Share Posted March 6, 2011 [quote name='cd_david' post='1151133' date='Mar 6 2011, 08:10 AM']Just incase you have an old bike chain lying around the roller element of a segment makes the prefect washer, they fit over truss rods and are nice and wide.[/quote] Nice one! Looks like my son will be doing his paper round on foot next time the truss rod needs sorting 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mckendrick Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 Top thread. Cheers, Andy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick's Fine '52 Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 Great thread, and info. The pics have gone though, which would help me, is there a way of getting them back? Also, when initially unscrewing the truss rod nut, is there not a danger (If the nut is afixed tightly to the rod), that the whole thing can become detached from the holding section at the headstock end (Where it's screwed into, and, presumably screwed in the same direction!, so when you turn the nut anti-clockwise, the whole thing becomes detached), in which case you're buggered??? Any comment would be greatly appreciated. Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 Aye, can you magic the pics back please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyonbass Posted December 24, 2012 Author Share Posted December 24, 2012 [quote name='Rick's Fine '52' timestamp='1333659864' post='1605113'] Great thread, and info. The pics have gone though, which would help me, is there a way of getting them back? Also, when initially unscrewing the truss rod nut, is there not a danger (If the nut is afixed tightly to the rod), that the whole thing can become detached from the holding section at the headstock end (Where it's screwed into, and, presumably screwed in the same direction!, so when you turn the nut anti-clockwise, the whole thing becomes detached), in which case you're buggered??? Any comment would be greatly appreciated. Rick [/quote] [quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1356297028' post='1909001'] Aye, can you magic the pics back please? [/quote] I think the photos got lost when I had a PC virus issue a while back, and like a fool I hadn't done a back up, but I have a spare neck around somewhere, so I will endeavour to re-create the pics when I get a minute. Rick, I would always undo the truss rod nut with a gentle back and forth motion initially if there is any resistance, I've been lucky so far and not had the problem you describe. Dont forget a little copper ease or vaseline on the threads on re-assembly, which should help prevent it happening in the future Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 I had a Fender Roscoe Beck lV that even tightened up all the way up had relief you could almost stick a finger under. I reckon it was down to a generic 21 fret rod being stuck in a 22 fret neck. I made a spacer and tightened it all back up again, sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick's Fine '52 Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 [quote name='andyonbass' timestamp='1356352002' post='1909389'] I think the photos got lost when I had a PC virus issue a while back, and like a fool I hadn't done a back up, but I have a spare neck around somewhere, so I will endeavour to re-create the pics when I get a minute. Rick, I would always undo the truss rod nut with a gentle back and forth motion initially if there is any resistance, I've been lucky so far and not had the problem you describe. Dont forget a little copper ease or vaseline on the threads on re-assembly, which should help prevent it happening in the future [/quote] It was last April when i was contemplating buying a truss rod max'd '65 Jazz. I decided against it, as I thought the cons far outweighed the pro's, and it wasnt overly cheap either. Thanks for the response though, and Merry Christmas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 I've just done the 'washer' trick to the rod of my bitsa P bass. Seems to have done the trick so far... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chambo Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 Where did you get the washers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 I, erm, fashined them out of some old nuts that had the right inside diameter. I held them in a pair of pliers and filed the corners off. By hand. Worked a treat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stjohn Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 What I have done in the past was take the neck off, clamp to a cricket bat, string down the headstock so it's bent back somewhat (after loosening the truss rod) then gradually heat with a heat gun. If you're careful you don't mess up the lacquer- 4 years later it hasn't moved and plays as mint as it's going to!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chambo Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 Good idea [quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1380804269' post='2230786'] I, erm, fashined them out of some old nuts that had the right inside diameter. I held them in a pair of pliers and filed the corners off. By hand. Worked a treat. [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AgentCooper Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 I have a 32 year old Tokai in need of this rescue. Will post pics if successful. If fail I'll post pics of me crying ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 (edited) Yup, performed the washer trick on a Yamaha BB450 which I resurrected/restored. Must have been a couple of years now with no ill effects. I think I'll play it at band rehearsal tonight Edited February 11, 2015 by neepheid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AgentCooper Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 Nope The Truss Nut came off fine, there's 5mm of thread inside unused so the Rod is not getting pulled through the anchor plate. There is a metal face (already a washer?) already in there and wonder if that is catching on the Rod threads holding it solid and unable to move forward or backward... oh and it is solid ! Hmm !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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