Maxed out truss rod. What size\type washers?

[rappa29]

The truss rod on my Tribby L-2500 is maxed out. Cannot get any tighter.

I know the common solution is removing the truss and inserting washers.

How do I go about doing this and what size\type washers do I get to insert? How many should I get?

TIA!

[Meatrus]

Best to measure the size of truss rod nut, and the diameter of the rod. Get a washer thats the same size as the truss nut, but also has enough room in the middle for the rod. It may be hard to find them, but you can make your own. You could get an oversized one and drill the middle out, or a hex nut and file the edges off. How many will be trial and error, I would use at least two (flat washers), but more would probably be needed.

The process is: undo truss nut fully, place washer in hole, put nut back in and tighten slowly.

Having a friend bending (or clamping if theres no friend about) the neck while doing up the nut may also be an option which has worked for me in the past.

[JLS]

Originally Posted by Meatrus

Best to measure the size of truss rod nut, and the diameter of the rod. Get a washer thats the same size as the truss nut, but also has enough room in the middle for the rod. It may be hard to find them, but you can make your own. You could get an oversized one and drill the middle out, or a hex nut and file the edges off. How many will be trial and error, I would use at least two (flat washers), but more would probably be needed.

The process is: undo truss nut fully, place washer in hole, put nut back in and tighten slowly.

Having a friend bending (or clamping if theres no friend about) the neck while doing up the nut may also be an option which has worked for me in the past.

I'd very strongly suggest the back-clamping option.

[snappytom]

Take the truss nut off and bring it to the hardware store to find washers of the same diameter and with a hole large enough. Get a few in case 1 is not enough and you need to stack them.
Getting them on the truss rod is usually the hardest part. Get a few inches of stiff wire that the washers fit over and with the bass on a stand hold the wire on the truss rod and drop the washers down the wire and onto the rod. Then screw the truss nut back on.