Broken truss rod on my Japanese Hondo.

[CPA935]

*Truss rod. Typos

I bought this bass at a flea market a few months ago. It's a Japanese Hondo, short scale bass. The neck needed a truss rod adjustment, and when I took it to my guy to adjust it, we found out that the truss rod nut was cracked. So we took the neck off and now I left it with my guy and he said he is gonna try to replace the nut. It's been a while and he said it may be impossible. My real question is, am I better off trying to get a new neck? I hear it's pretty hard to find a short scale neck, let alone one that would fit this bass. Or am I better off just waiting to see if we can replace the nut?

This is the bass, except mine is black and it's got a different bridge.

[Pilgrim]

It can be fixed by removing the fretboard and replacing the truss rod. In most cases, accessing the nut the truss rod screws into also requires removing the fretboard. Whether that makes financial sense is up to you. I do think that finding a replacement neck is likely to be difficult - you'll need one the same make, model and color - not likely.

[CPA935]

Thanks ! I figured that it wouldn't be easy. If I really wanted I could just keep using it as is, and just not use any frets past 12 due to the buzz.

[Foamy]

Be sure and get a second opinion, too! You may run into someone who has a trick or two and may be able to save the project.

[hdracer]

Is it the nut that is bad or the T/R?
The nut is a easy fix, PITA but not that hard for someone with the right tools.

[CPA935]

It is the truss rod nut. The nut is split so it can't adjust the truss rod. The shop owner/tech I took it to said that if he can get the truss rod nut off then he can easily put a new one on and get the truss rod adjusted, the problem is replacing the broken truss rod nut. He said if you don't know what you're doing when you're trying to take the nut off, you can break the whole rod.

[72LML]

Here is a link to how I got mine out on my jazz neck. PM me if you have any questions. It's pretty easy to fix.

Bad neck

[CPA935]

Originally Posted by 72LML

Here is a link to how I got mine out on my jazz neck. PM me if you have any questions. It's pretty easy to fix.

Bad neck

So it's just as easy as using a screw remover?

[Pilgrim]

The position and mounting of truss rod nuts does differ somewhat.

The simple solution might be to put the lightest gauge strings you can find on it to reduce tension on the neck.

[72LML]

Pretty much, just make sure it bites into the nut good and solid. Also make sure you get a good straight shot when you use the screw extractor. You don't want it going in at an angle and slipping.

[CPA935]

I have many options, but I don't know what would be the best.
I could have the expensive process of removing the fret board and getting it fixed.
Attempt to take the truss rod nut off myself(bad idea)
Wait for the tech to take it off.
Just play it and deal with the buzz

[72LML]

You don't need to take the fret board off for this repair. The truss rod itself is not broken just the nut is. Take it to a few places and have them look at it. It shouldn't be all that expensive.

[CPA935]

I hope not. I paid 95 bucks for the bass. It was either this or a Squier P bass. I think I should have gone with the Squier, hehe.

[72LML]

Nah, you made the right choice. You see Squire's all the time.

[Foamy]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

The position and mounting of truss rod nuts does differ somewhat.

The simple solution might be to put the lightest gauge strings you can find on it to reduce tension on the neck.

Isn't it the opposite? I know it sounds weird but I thought the lighter gauge strings (in general) had greater tension.

[Lee H]

Originally Posted by CPA935

So it's just as easy as using a screw remover?

go to any tool store, and ask for "easy outs". The better kits come with left handed drill bits. Don't spring for these. You will not be able to use them
Use a hex socket (with extension) on a 1/4 inch drive ratchet, or T handle. Only use two fingers on the ratchet, so you can feel if it binds

[202dy]

1. Clamp neck into back bow.
2. Remove nut with appropriate tool.

Placing the neck into a back bow removes the tension from the nut. This makes it easier to turn.

The right tool is dependent on the nut and the kind of damage the nut has sustained. A screw extractor (Easy Out) should do the trick on a nut that accepts an Allen wrench. Truss rod nuts that take a nut driver (socket head) will require a bit more ingenuity. Sometimes a smaller socket head can be jammed onto the nut giving enough purchase to turn it out. Others may require a pair of needle nose vise grips. In extreme cases a small file can be used to cut through the nut. then it can be expanded and removed with pliers.

[Pilgrim]

OOOOOOoooohhhh....THAT NUT!!

I thought you meant the one that the bottom/anchor end of the truss rods screws into, which is installed under the fretboard.

I didn't realize you meant the adjustment nut located at the top end of the rod.

The adjustment nut is indeed something you should be able to do yourself, or that can be done with a special tool...plenty of good info in this thread.

Apologies for the misunderstanding.

[CPA935]

Seriously thinking about going to get that neck off of the shop tech today. My father and I can probably get it off ourselves. If I do, I'll post some pictures.

[202dy]

Originally Posted by CPA935

Seriously thinking about going to get that neck off of the shop tech today. My father and I can probably get it off ourselves. If I do, I'll post some pictures.

Attaboy!