Ibanez ATK truss rod question

[htharp]

I've had my ATK3EX1 for about 5 days now. I've put new strings on it, set it up, and played it each day as it settled in. Thus far I really like the tones I can achieve. I was worried about weight when I bought it and had it shipped, I must be lucky because it weighs 8.9 pounds.

During the setup I had to set the neck relief, it was a tad too much. The adjustment wheel has to be tightened very tight to get it to the proper level. I removed the neck, lubed the threads, and reinstalled it. I was able to get the relief correct, but had to apply significant force to a 2-1/2" rod inserted in the wheel. While it still continues to correct the relief, I would be afraid to tighten it much more. Is this common with these, or do I have to look forward to future neck problems?
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[paganjack]

you should only turn truss rods like 1/8-1/4 turn per day. too much too fast can damage the neck. anyway..

I'm kind of surprised that you needed to work so hard on it. i have never had serious issues with my ATKs truss rods personally, a little turn here and there seems to handle the necks well enough. winters in MN are rough on my instruments, so I pay a lot of attention to them.

[Swin]

The truss should turn with ease and limited adjustments are all that's needed to obtain correct relief. Check that you haven't crossed 1 or 2 of the threads.

[htharp]

Thanks for your comments. I have adjusted many Fender truss rods in the past. a gentle turn of the hex key with the T handle is usually sufficient, sometimes you have to apply a little extra pressure to get the movement started. In this case I had to apply significant pressure to move it in either direction. I removed the neck, removed the nut on the end of te rod, and lubed the threads. Then I finger tightened the nut. After that I was able to turn the rod easily about 1 turn. (approximately the same amount that had pressure when loosening it) After that it continues to adjust the neck, but only with significant effort. The neck only needed about 1/4 turn above the old setting, and I was able to get that, but I would be afraid to put much more pressure on it from there.

[MooseLumps]

hmm... you could try to apply pressure to the headstock in the direction of the move GENTLY to facilitate motion.

http://www.garywillis.com/pages/bass...trussrod3.html

[htharp]

Originally Posted by MooseLumps

hmm... you could try to apply pressure to the headstock in the direction of the move GENTLY to facilitate motion.

http://www.garywillis.com/pages/bass...trussrod3.html

Thanks, I did that as I adjusted it. I always do. I guess i was really just asking if they are extremely hard to turn normally, and the answer seems to be no. If that is the case then this one has an issue.

[MooseLumps]

hmm. I'll crank on mine right quick and let you know how it feels. It came to me with a good setup, but it's a little low now

[vicvon]

My ATK 700 is a bit hard to turn as well. I am not worried about it as I have had so many basses over the years and some are harder to turn than others.

[MooseLumps]

man, mine is STIFF!!! holy cow, I'm glad it came form the factory with a decent setup, cause i'm really flexing the tool to get the thing to turn

[htharp]

Originally Posted by MooseLumps

man, mine is STIFF!!! holy cow, I'm glad it came form the factory with a decent setup, cause i'm really flexing the tool to get the thing to turn

I removed my neck, took the truss rod nut off and lubed the threads, and reinstalled it. It is still quite tight but turns more smoothly. It takes considerably more pressure than I would have liked, but the setup is good now.

[3fingerdemon]

Yeah I noticed when I tried to adjust the truss rod on my 300 that it was indeed very stiff and I had to torque the allen key quite heavily in order to move it just slightly.

I'll try applying pressure on the neck. Sounds like a very valid technique.