How to tell if I stripped my truss rod?

[Iamjacksbass]

I don't think it strip, infact a highly doubt it. It's just when I adjust mine I don't see huge change I never go past a 1/4 turn at a sitting, and when I do the relief test that infact does change. So my question is, would rapping on the back of the neck reveal a stripped truss rod or not. Also, to strip a truss rod, do you have to first over tighten it, because I know i haven't come close to making that error.

[pkr2]

Originally Posted by Iamjacksbass

I don't think it strip, infact a highly doubt it. It's just when I adjust mine I don't see huge change I never go past a 1/4 turn at a sitting, and when I do the relief test that infact does change. So my question is, would rapping on the back of the neck reveal a stripped truss rod or not. Also, to strip a truss rod, do you have to first over tighten it, because I know i haven't come close to making that error.

No, you don't have a stripped Truss rod or nut and nothing is broken.

The fact that the relief adjusts normally proves that they are all fine and working.

When the truss system has a defective part, the string tension will pull a big bow in the neck since the TR system counteracts the string tension.

[Iamjacksbass]

I understand that. Wouldn't that be if the trussrod were to break, not stripped? Or is is the same reaction in all circumstances. Because I imagine if the truss were stipped it would it would just not correct the bow anymore, but it would still put would still keep tension in the neck.

[pkr2]

Originally Posted by Iamjacksbass

I understand that. Wouldn't that be if the trussrod were to break, not stripped? Or is is the same reaction in all circumstances. Because I imagine if the truss were stipped it would it would just not correct the bow anymore, but it would still put would still keep tension in the neck.

Anything that breaks, strips or otherwise can no longer control forward bow will have pretty much the same "reaction". If you strip the threads out in the tr nut, the neck will start to bow almost immediately.

If you are talking about the allen socket or screw slot stripping and a tool no longer grips it, as opposed to the nut threads, then yes, the neck will remain as it was before you stripped it.

[Iamjacksbass]

That much I know, so basically if my neck his holding together after and adjustment its fine?

[pkr2]

Originally Posted by Iamjacksbass

That much I know, so basically if my neck his holding together after and adjustment its fine?

Yes.

[62bass]

Originally Posted by Iamjacksbass

I don't think it strip, infact a highly doubt it. It's just when I adjust mine I don't see huge change I never go past a 1/4 turn at a sitting, and when I do the relief test that infact does change. So my question is, would rapping on the back of the neck reveal a stripped truss rod or not. Also, to strip a truss rod, do you have to first over tighten it, because I know i haven't come close to making that error.

Rapping on the back of the neck won't reveal a stripped truss rod. It sounds like your truss rod is working normaly. There are two things that can be stripped and are caused by either over tightening or by a sloppy fitting adjustment tool or careless use of it. If you over tighten the truss rod nut, and run out of thread on the end of the rod, you can strip the threads on the truss rod. If you have a poorly fitting adjustment tool, like a hex wrench that slips in the adjustment nut, you can strip the nut inside, or on the outside, if it's a nut driver style wrench. If you actually strip the threads on the truss rod end, that's bad news. if it's only the nut, that''s easy enough to replace.

[Iamjacksbass]

So to strip the truss rod you actually have to overtighten it, and thats the only way to strip it? In that case Im fine at least I think. You neck would be in a backbow if you were about to overtighten it right?

[62bass]

Originally Posted by Iamjacksbass

So to strip the truss rod you actually have to overtighten it, and thats the only way to strip it? In that case Im fine at least I think. You neck would be in a backbow if you were about to overtighten it right?

Usually the neck would be in a backbow when overtightened. Sometimes though, like in the case of an old bass, the wood under the nut gets crushed and compressed and you run out of room on the threads before introducing enough backbow. I always slack off the tension on the strings when making these adjustments to take some strain off the truss rod. Then you can really feel by the resistance when turning the adjustment tool when you're putting in enough tension. If the nut doesn't want to turn anymore, you've gone as far as you can go safely. Turning beyond this point will strip the threads.

It's also possible, as Glen W pointed out earlier, to cross thread the nut if it's been removed for some reason and then put back on.

So far it doesn't seem like you have any problem.

[Iamjacksbass]

I don't have a problem my bass is in pretty good condition, here a tid bit question that I wanted to ask. Why is it that people make adjusting the truss rod seem like such a drastic procedure. Honestly, if you have a good understadning of whats good on a bass and whats bad it not rocket science. But I see this alot "Truss Rod adjustments are meant for a luthier only"

[62bass]

Originally Posted by Iamjacksbass

I don't have a problem my bass is in pretty good condition, here a tid bit question that I wanted to ask. Why is it that people make adjusting the truss rod seem like such a drastic procedure. Honestly, if you have a good understadning of whats good on a bass and whats bad it not rocket science. But I see this alot "Truss Rod adjustments are meant for a luthier only"

There's is a certain percentage of the population that are not mechanically inclined, or real klutzes when it comes to anything dealing with tools. There is also a percentage who can't understand instructions so can't follow them. There is also a small percentage of people who can't write understandable instructions.