Help- Can anyone replace a broken trussrod for me?

[rogerbmiller]

Hi Fellow TB-ers.

I recently traded a perfectly good Warwick fortress for another that was fretless and it seems the trussrod came to me DOA. I did the trade about 2 months ago and only figured this out, so the odds are I am stuck with the bass.

It's a great instrument and worth the investment to repair except that I live in NYC where such work is cost prohibitive.

I was wondering if you folks can recommend anyone in the TB community who can do this work for me at a reasonable price.

It's a wenge neck Fortress Masterman with an ebony fingerboard if that info helps. I am happy to ship the whole bass or just the neck-- whatever is easiest.

Thanks much!


Roger

[baileyboy]

STEWMAC.COM : Guitar, Bass, Banjo, Mandolin, Parts, Tools, Supplies, Free Information has truss rod repair kits. Good luck.

[rogerbmiller]

Originally Posted by baileyboy

STEWMAC.COM : Guitar, Bass, Banjo, Mandolin, Parts, Tools, Supplies, Free Information has truss rod repair kits. Good luck.

I don't think this is work I can do myself. My luthier in MA said it needs to have the fingerboard off and he doesn't want to work with Wenge.

[Rockmusician]

You can try Guitar Doctor
659 Bedford Street
Whitman, MA 02382-1807
(781) 447-4520

Gruhn Guitars in Nashville might be able to hep you.

[stepswork4me]

He's in Cincinnati, OH. Justin Kennedy AKA ModulusAcacia at J Kennedy Guitars and Repair. Look here if you wanna see his work. He's great at what he does.

[JLS]

This is not going to be an insignificant job, anywhere. Be prepared to spend several hundred dollars.

[stepswork4me]

Justin is also partnered with one hell of a luthier named Mike. Together they have the experience, tools, shops. etc. to accomplish any repair or custom build that is wanted. Also, they're both great guys.

[Slowgypsy]

PM me. I can give you name of an excellent luthier located in Manhattan.

[wrnchbndr]

Have you called Warwick? They know the exact construction strategy and thus the most direct way to replace the trussrod. I've done a lot of Fender trussrods but wouldn't have a clue about a Warwick since there are a number of ways to install one and a number of different trussrod types. They may quote a higher price but they'd do the job properly the first time.

[202dy]

Originally Posted by wrnchbndr

Have you called Warwick? They know the exact construction strategy and thus the most direct way to replace the trussrod. I've done a lot of Fender trussrods but wouldn't have a clue about a Warwick since there are a number of ways to install one and a number of different trussrod types. They may quote a higher price but they'd do the job properly the first time.

First and foremost, a sincerer welcome to the forum.

Building and repair, while related, are two very different disciplines. They have different protocols. They people who do the work tend to have different thought processes.

Those that build are only occasionally good at repair.

Those that manufacture may or may not have a repair shop. If they do, rest assured it is regarded only as a necessary evil, designed to take care of everyday XYZ. For major surgery, be prepared to pay premium rates.

The average repair shop employs people who think in terms of repair rather than building. They will be far better equipped to handle this repair.

[rogerbmiller]

Originally Posted by wrnchbndr

Have you called Warwick? They know the exact construction strategy and thus the most direct way to replace the trussrod. I've done a lot of Fender trussrods but wouldn't have a clue about a Warwick since there are a number of ways to install one and a number of different trussrod types. They may quote a higher price but they'd do the job properly the first time.

There is no benefit in using Warwick IMO. I would have to ship round trip to Germany for starters and this bass is not under warranty. I would rather find a Warwick authorized repair shop. I think Guitar Doctor might work for me. I spoke to them today and they seemed non plussed about the repair. Thought is was about a 3 hour job and something they have done before.

Any other suggestions are welcome though. Since I am shipping regardless of who i use, I might as well interview some folks.

Thanks.

[Slowgypsy]

PM replied to.

[Turnaround]

Originally Posted by 202dy

Building and repair, while related, are two very different disciplines. They have different protocols. They people who do the work tend to have different thought processes.

Those that manufacture may or may not have a repair shop. If they do, rest assured it is regarded only as a necessary evil, designed to take care of everyday XYZ. For major surgery, be prepared to pay premium rates.

The average repair shop employs people who think in terms of repair rather than building. They will be far better equipped to handle this repair.

Good points. As a repair technician, I insist that I am not a luthier - a term I feel should be reserved for those who make instruments.

A local, internationally well-known luthier will not repair his own guitars. He feels that a proper repair person would do a far better job than he could. He says it's a different skill set. I agree.

Sort of like my mechanic - he's not much good at manufacturing an automobile, but he can darn well fix my car when it is misbehaving!

[rogerbmiller]

Originally Posted by Turnaround

Good points. As a repair technician, I insist that I am not a luthier - a term I feel should be reserved for those who make instruments.

A local, internationally well-known luthier will not repair his own guitars. He feels that a proper repair person would do a far better job than he could. He says it's a different skill set. I agree.

Sort of like my mechanic - he's not much good at manufacturing an automobile, but he can darn well fix my car when it is misbehaving!

Points well taken folks. Was perhaps a bit liberal in using the word luthier. I definitely need a skilled repair specialist, and preferably one who has done a few of these types of repairs with positive results. I have gotten a couple o fnames from folks as a result of this post. Some I have been able to reach, others not, but it is the weekend.

If there are any other suggestions out there I am all ears. I always like to talk to folks first to see if they are experienced and confident with these types of things.

Anyway, thanks again to all for your responsiveness.


RBM

[stepswork4me]

I honestly hope you've gotten in touch with Justin. The guy is just flat skilled. I actually got the opportunity to hang with him and Mike at Tom Weber's shop and hear some cool stories about EVH. Justin has been blessed enough to be trained by and to work with Tom for a long time.

[rogerbmiller]

Originally Posted by stepswork4me

I honestly hope you've gotten in touch with Justin. The guy is just flat skilled. I actually got the opportunity to hang with him and Mike at Tom Weber's shop and hear some cool stories about EVH. Justin has been blessed enough to be trained by and to work with Tom for a long time.

I PM'ed him this morning but haven't heard back. I sure hope to.

Thanks.

RBM

[JLS]

Originally Posted by Turnaround

Good points. As a repair technician, I insist that I am not a luthier - a term I feel should be reserved for those who make instruments.

A local, internationally well-known luthier will not repair his own guitars. He feels that a proper repair person would do a far better job than he could. He says it's a different skill set. I agree.

Sort of like my mechanic - he's not much good at manufacturing an automobile, but he can darn well fix my car when it is misbehaving!

I don't think I've ever heard this stated quite as clearly!

(I fix 'em, don't build 'em)

[danomite64]

I just sold an Ibanez RB650 that the buyer promptly broke the truss rod on. Now, thanks to the way ebay and paypal works, I have it back, and am looking for someone to fix it inexpensively. There's a guy online who bought the Stew-mac rescue kit and is offering to fix other people's truss rods for $50 + shipping. Looks like I'll be giving this guy a chance.

Truss Rod repair

[danomite64]

Well, I sent my neck to Wammi World and they fixed it easily (very nice people to deal with, too). The neck itself has a bow (which it had when I got the bass) that I still need to deal with, but I can deal with that myself.