truss rod question

[Madcity Fats]

Hey, y'all. So I've got an '86 SB-1 I bought not long ago and the truss rod sticks up above the nut probably a good inch and a half.

I know on the older G&Ls it's common to be able to see the "bullet" just looking at the headstock head-on, but mine seems to protrude more than most I've seen (that's what she said!).

But seriously, is this something I should be concerned about? I haven't had this bass very long and the neck is perfect where it is, so I haven't had an excuse to futz with the truss yet (I tend not to mess with them unless it's really necessary).

Don't have a pic handy, sorry. Appreciate any opinions on this.

[Ken Baker]

This oughta shock a couple people.

So long as your trussrod is working properly, you should be okay. It should normally have a "certain amount" of tension at any time the strings are tuned to pitch. It can be considered in normal operating condition if it'll tighten down a little more and loosen up a little.

Ken...

[Chef]

The truss rod shouldn't be sticking out at all.

I have earlier G&L's where the bullet hangs out a fair bit.

[Madcity Fats]

Originally Posted by Chef

The truss rod shouldn't be sticking out at all.

I have earlier G&L's where the bullet hangs out a fair bit.

I'm confused. Are you saying on a G&L as late as an '86 the truss should be tucked completely out of sight? It looks like the basses listed on ggjaguar's site (http://www.ggjaguar.com/gnl.htm) have truss "bullets" right up to the late 80s/early 90s.

(For the record, I think I exaggerated. The truss sticks out maybe an inch and looks to be pretty much in line with other basses of its era shown on that site.)

Yeah Ken, I know, I'm an idiot. I'll just adjust the damn thing a fraction of a turn and back to see if it's functioning properly.

[Chef]

the bullet is the adjuster nut. the trussrod is internal.
if your's is sticking out, dat be big-bad.

[quickervicar]

Originally Posted by Chef

the bullet is the adjuster nut. the trussrod is internal.
if your's is sticking out, dat be big-bad.

Unless a PO had installed a non-factory nut on the factory truss rod.

[Chef]

I've never met a G&L where the trussrod was long enough to come out the route in the neck.
Course, I've not seen every single one made either.

[tramp]

That is not the truss rod - it is the bullet. My '87 SB1 is like that and I have no problems. Tramp

[spideyjg]

My SB-1.....


The El Toro sticks way out also...



Not a problem if the rod works.

Jim

[Madcity Fats]

Okay, I appreciate the knowledge I've gleaned here.

Chef, it appears I've gotta get my terms straight. It's not the rod that's showing, just the nut (which explains the varying "lengths" I guess).

Appreciate the pix, Jim. The one on that El Toro looks to be right about where mine is at. I'll do some fiddling and assume all's well so long as I can tweak it.

[Chef]

1/4 turn at a time, at most plz...
If it doesn't want to move, release all string tension, try again gently.
If it still doesn't want to move, put a drop of real penetrant (not WD40) down the hole, and wait a day.

Tighten removes bow from the neck, lossen adds bow.

[Madcity Fats]

Originally Posted by Chef

1/4 turn at a time, at most plz...

Way ahead of you, but thanks for the caution just the same (this probably can't be repeated often enough).

Was able to make a minor adjustment to the truss (and back again) so it looks like everything's hunky dory.

[Chef]

sweet.
typically, this is where I set mine:
fret the G string at the 12th fret.
look at the air gap at 5&7...you want "about a business card" worth of air gap, or a little less deopending on preference.
there's a nice setup procedure on the G&L website under the faq.
fender has a nice one too; compare the two, pick what you like, go from there.