Bowed neck on my 1979 Stingray

Papersen · #1 09-06-2009, 02:14 PM

I took my bass to my luthier, who said the truss rod wasn`t working fine. The bass has been without strings for a long period of time and there`s a crack from the bullet truss rod access up to the first fret.

Luthier suggested replacing the truss rod but I`d like to know if there`s something less "drastical" to do in order to make the bass work fine.

Thanks

**Staccato** · #2 09-06-2009, 02:44 PM

That is a bummer.

Shouldn't all stringed instruments be stored with strings?

73jbass · #3 09-06-2009, 02:50 PM

They are supposed to be stored with string tension on them.Replacing a truss rod shouldn't be that big of a repair. Maybe Ernie ball customer service could help you out.

RMay · #4 09-08-2009, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papersen

I took my bass to my luthier, who said the truss rod wasn`t working fine... suggested replacing it

Is that all the luthier said about the truss rod?

73jbass · #5 09-08-2009, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papersen

I took my bass to my luthier, who said the truss rod wasn`t working fine. The bass has been without strings for a long period of time and there`s a crack from the bullet truss rod access up to the first fret.

Luthier suggested replacing the truss rod but I`d like to know if there`s something less "drastical" to do in order to make the bass work fine.

Thanks

If that's the best answer he can give you,I'd find another luthier.

Papersen · #6 09-08-2009, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMay

Is that all the luthier said about the truss rod?

I took it for a setup sometime ago (took several basses before and had no problem) and he said the truss rod won`t turn anymore beyond a certain point (dunno how to describe it better).

Since the neck won`t get completely straight he suggested replacing the truss rod.

202dy · #7 09-08-2009, 07:49 PM

Replacing a truss rod is major surgery. The fingerboard is removed using heat. The filets are removed. The truss rod is removed and replaced. Then the process is reversed. Removing the fingerboard usually causes some popped frets which will necessitate some fretwork. All of this is time consuming and requires a skilled tech to perform the repair. That means that it is not inexpensive.

Your tech's diagnosis is not convincing. Most of the time a truss rod that has bottomed out can still be made to function. Sometimes adding a few washers will buy some more purchase on the rod. The neck can be clamped into a back bow with a loose truss rod and then the rod can be tightened to hold the new shape. Sometimes this must be done a few times to get it to hold. Heat may be used. Others will suggest using a combination of methods. All are valid.

The crack in the fingerboard is curious. It may be contributing to the problem. It is important to stabilize the crack before doing other work. There are several glues that work well for this repair. Yellow glue, diluted 10-20%, can be rubbed into the crack and clamped. There are others that will work well, too. This is not a job for CA glue. It has no shear strength.

jaywa · #8 09-08-2009, 09:33 PM

I have not heard of this happening very often on StingRays. I would be skeptical of the luthier's assessment and definitely seek out a 2nd opinion before opting for the major surgery of a truss rod replacement.

That being said and as others have noted, storing the bass strung may have prevented this situation in the first place. How long had you had strings on it before you took it to the luthier? I'm wondering if under normal string tension for some period of time, things might not come back into alignment on their own... you would still have the crack, but it would be playable.

Papersen · #9 09-09-2009, 07:43 AM

I`ll try to get some pictures of that crack tonight.
I`m not the original owner and the bass has been stored several months without strings.

The crack and bowed neck were there when I bought the bass and I thought it was an easy fix.

202dy · #10 09-09-2009, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papersen

I`ll try to get some pictures of that crack tonight.
I`m not the original owner and the bass has been stored several months without strings.

The crack and bowed neck were there when I bought the bass and I thought it was an easy fix.

It should be. There is some skill and knowledge that is needed and one must be handy with tools.

The crack probably isn't a big deal. If the fingerboard was separating from the neck it would be a bigger problem, but you do not indicate that.

Assuming the neck is in a back bow, a few months without strings does not usually cause this kind. Anything is possible, though.

While a picture of the crack is nice, it is easier to diagnose if there is more data. If you could take measurements of string heights and relief on both the bass and treble sides it will go a long way toward providing a clearer picture of what the remedies should be.

BottomE · #11 09-09-2009, 09:41 AM

I am just wondering how anybody could store away a 79 Stingray? Thats criminal! Someone should be playing that bass.

JTE · #12 09-09-2009, 09:51 AM

A. One of the big problems between CLF Research (Leo's company that was actually manufacturing the instruments for Music Man) and Music Man was that there was a period just before G&L started where the truss rods were installed incorrectly- they were apparently put in straight instead of with the curve required to make them work. Read Forrest White's book about life at Fender for details.

B. A '7p StingRay has a one-piece maple neck without a separate fingerboard. The rod is installed from the back through the channel covered up with the skunk stripe.

C. If the bass was stored without strings, but the truss rod was kept tight, the neck wood may have warped some, but the string tension should pull it back.

D. What exactly are the measurements you're seeing? Fret it at the 1st fret and the last fret. Music Man's standard at the time was to see 1/32" clearance between the bottom of the E string and the top of the 7th fret. What are you getting with your bass?

John

JLS · #13 09-09-2009, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papersen

I took my bass to my luthier, who said the truss rod wasn`t working fine. The bass has been without strings for a long period of time and there`s a crack from the bullet truss rod access up to the first fret.

Luthier suggested replacing the truss rod but I`d like to know if there`s something less "drastical" to do in order to make the bass work fine.

Thanks

Does the neck have a forward bow, or a backbow?

In any case, I'd take it somewhere else; sounds like your "luthier", is lacking.

Papersen · #14 09-09-2009, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BottomE

I am just wondering how anybody could store away a 79 Stingray? Thats criminal! Someone should be playing that bass.

The original but it new in 1980, he played it extensively during 13 years. The guy is now in his 50`s and not playing anymore so it was collecting dust in a closet.

BottomE · #15 09-10-2009, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papersen

The original but it new in 1980, he played it extensively during 13 years. The guy is now in his 50`s and not playing anymore so it was collecting dust in a closet.

Can you imagine how many beautiful basses must be "in storage" gathering dust?

Steveaux · #16 09-11-2009, 02:59 PM

The "crack to the first fret" was also a problem with a lot of 70's Fenders with bullet truss rods.