Dual Truss Rod

[chadhargis]

I have an Ibanez BTB1305e and I was getting a bit of string buzz from the first fret or two. No matter how cleanly I fretted the note.

I looked at raising the action using the bridge, but this didn't seem like it would help much. I looked at the neck, and it was dead flat. Not so much as a slight bow to it.

I decided to loosen the truss rod a bit and see what that would do. Low and behold it has TWO truss rods side by side under the truss rod cover on the head. Being very cautious, I gently loosened them both about a quarter turn and that did the trick. Fret buzz was gone.

A couple of days later, the buzz was back. I noticed that the neck had gone back to being really flat. Again I loosened the truss rods slightly and this cured the buzz.

The action is still nice and low, and the bass intonates perfectly (according to my tuner).

Would storing the bass in a Hercules stand with no bottom support be putting undue stress on the neck? It basically "hangs" from the stand with the body resting on the padded stand legs, but not "supported" by anything.

For now, the string buzz is gone and things sound great, but I want to make sure I don't foul anything up, especially given that this sucker has two truss rods and I've never heard or read about a bass having two rods.

[251]

Originally Posted by chadhargis

I have an Ibanez BTB1305e and I was getting a bit of string buzz from the first fret or two. No matter how cleanly I fretted the note.





anything.

For now, the string buzz is gone and things sound great, but I want to make sure I don't foul anything up, especially given that this sucker has two truss rods and I've never heard or read about a bass having two rods.

No harm done with 1/2 turn on a rod. It was a conincidence, that warm wet air that just rolled over you probably swelled the bass a bit. In a week or 2 the air will go cool & dry & you will likely have more relief than you like. In future an 1/8th or 1/16th turn will probably do the trick. With 2 rods, work on the rod closest to the string buzz first, an 1/8th. If it isn't enough try 1/16th on the other rod. A little torque can go a long way with a nice piece of wood. 8-)

[chadhargis]

Thanks. I'll keep an eye on it and see if things change. I plan on restringing soon, so it will all be out the window.