Alternatives to truss rod straightening

SwagAttack · #1 12-18-2011, 11:13 AM

This sounds stupid since the job of a truss rod is to straighten the neck. But years ago, I bought a Saga bass kit from an online store and put it together. Back then I didn't know much about the bass, but months later I noticed the neck started to bow fairly tremendously to where the strings above the 12th fret were almost impossible to play. I tried to tighten the rod, but it didn't work. It took me a while to realize that there was no truss rod nut in the neck, making any adjustments impossible. The bass sounds awesome, and I would like to keep it, but the bow just doesn't go away. The paintjob was bad, so I am going to experiment with some more paint, and so I wanted to see if I could actually get the neck to conform in some other method.

Shardik · #2 12-18-2011, 11:17 AM

I can only think of 2 possibilities. Either change to thinner strings or tune the bass lower.

JLS · #3 12-18-2011, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwagAttack

This sounds stupid since the job of a truss rod is to straighten the neck. But years ago, I bought a Saga bass kit from an online store and put it together. Back then I didn't know much about the bass, but months later I noticed the neck started to bow fairly tremendously to where the strings above the 12th fret were almost impossible to play. I tried to tighten the rod, but it didn't work. It took me a while to realize that there was no truss rod nut in the neck, making any adjustments impossible. The bass sounds awesome, and I would like to keep it, but the bow just doesn't go away. The paintjob was bad, so I am going to experiment with some more paint, and so I wanted to see if I could actually get the neck to conform in some other method.

Why do you think there's no trussrod nut? Are you referring to the anchor nut, inside the neck?

SwagAttack · #4 12-18-2011, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLS

Why do you think there's no trussrod nut? Are you referring to the anchor nut, inside the neck?

There is no place for the allen wrench to go into. Instead of having a concave allen wrench hole, it has a cylinder poking out. I am guessing it has threads on it, it's a bit hard to see though. I tried contacting Saga and the store I bought it from and the seller just kind of ignored it and the company never responds. I don't know what size it is since it's a DIY kit, so I have no idea if any would even fit right.

seanm · #5 12-18-2011, 02:23 PM

Could you send a picture? Could it be a nut? Or maybe you have to adjust from the heel end like a vintage Fender?

Jazz Ad · #6 12-18-2011, 02:57 PM

The kits they sell right now clearly have a trussrod at the headstock. Is yours different?
It probably uses an hex nut, in which case you need a socket wrench rather than an allen wrench.

Foamy · #7 12-18-2011, 02:59 PM

Aren't there a couple variations of nuts? Like one where you put a tool through it? Could it be one of those?
There's no real reason for something to stick out of something else unless there's a tool to adjust it.

96tbird · #8 12-18-2011, 03:28 PM

Can't fathom this. need pics.

SwagAttack · #9 12-18-2011, 05:14 PM

Well I decided to sand it and see if I could get some scratches out, and I made a shim for the neck, and now it seems to be balanced out a lot better.

I can try and get pictures although I feel like it won't really show what I am talking about since it's pretty far in. I have always though necks were adjusted through allen wrenches. But I still can't think of what tool would be able to adjust it. The truss rod is accessible through the headstock.

SwagAttack · #10 12-18-2011, 05:20 PM

There, that is the best pic I can get. It is kind of at an angle, so the cylinder more in the light is sticking outward, while the ring around it seems to be the truss rod outer ring, but is lower than the other part. Anyone know what tool that is?

mongo2 · #11 12-18-2011, 05:25 PM

It looks like the trussrod adjusting nut is missing. Aftermarket replacements are available but you may want to contact Saga and get one from them.

Andyman001 · #12 12-18-2011, 05:56 PM

The smaller center part looks hex shaped, have you tried to find a socket type tool to fit?

Pilgrim · #13 12-18-2011, 05:59 PM

Can't tell for sure, but my best guess is that either the end of the existing adjusting nut has been rounded off and that's what you're seeing, or the nut is missing and what you're seeing is the end of the rod. You should see if there are threads on the end, and if so, try installing a new nut.

seanm · #14 12-18-2011, 06:03 PM

It really does look like the nut is missing. A good guitar repair shop should be able to work out what sized nut you need.

JLS · #15 12-18-2011, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwagAttack

There, that is the best pic I can get. It is kind of at an angle, so the cylinder more in the light is sticking outward, while the ring around it seems to be the truss rod outer ring, but is lower than the other part. Anyone know what tool that is?

I'm gonna guess this either takes a 5/16" trussrod wrench, or the nut is rounded off or missing.

darius8 · #16 12-18-2011, 06:24 PM

Heres a place that sells those truss nuts individually, in case you need one:
Bass Parts Resource*::*Bass Truss Nuts

darius8 · #17 12-18-2011, 06:28 PM

And here:
STEWMAC.COM : Adjusting nuts

darius8 · #18 12-18-2011, 06:31 PM

And the different types of truss rods, your may be one of them:
STEWMAC.COM : Adjustable truss rods

SwagAttack · #19 12-18-2011, 06:49 PM

Well I have contacted Saga plenty of times in the past years through e-mail, but they have yet to send a single response back. I would like to buy some truss rod nut, but it's going to be impossible to tell what size it is.

walterw · #20 12-18-2011, 07:40 PM

that is pretty obviously the end of a threaded truss rod sticking out,with the nut long lost.

take it to a good repair place, chances are they'll have collected a few random oddball truss rod nuts, and will have one that fits.

(although, the fact that it's so off-center in the hole makes me think that they were never able to get a truss rod nut on there in the first place, but it still got sent out the door.)