New Ibanez ATK300 w/ stubborn truss rod - is this common?

[David Vector]

I just bought a new ATK-300 a week ago and since the action was already set up great out of the box, I hadn't though to try the truss until now. The Music Man-style wheel is convenient for access, but it doesn't seem to want to move, even with a moderate amount of force.

I know the standard advice is to apply some graphite lube, but a stubborn truss rod could be considered grounds to just send it back for an exchange, too. I'm almost reluctant to do that, though, because this particular bass is great otherwise and I'm afraid that, depending on QC consistency, the next one might not be as good overall.

So, first I'm wondering if any others who have bought a new ATK recently have run into really tight truss rods that resist movement as well and if this is a common thing with the line.

I'm assuming that if I attempt to lube the truss rod and it doesn't work that the retailer should still take the bass back since it would clearly be a defective instrument at that point. Or could lubing the truss be viewed as "tampering" or some such thing (if in fact you could even tell it had been done on casual inspection) and void the return policy...anybody have any idea on that one?

What do you guys think...would you try lubing it or just send it back and roll the dice again?

As a side note, how do you lube a truss with the MM-style wheel instead of a typical "nut?" Once you take off the pickguard to get access to it, does the wheel come off of the truss rod without a major fuss?

[202dy]

Second question first: Yes, the MM style nut will come off. So try loosening it before tightening it again. That is good advice for anyone who is delving into adjusting truss rods, BTW.

First question: If that doesn't work, send it back. Ibanez QC is relatively dependable. The next bass should be a cookie cutter.

[David Vector]

Thanks very much for the advice. I'm probably being unreasonably paranoid in thinking that I might not get a good bass on the next try...it seems that almost everyone on TB who has bought an ATK is quite pleased with it, so the QC must be fairly consistent.

[David Vector]

I got brave and applied a little more force (in the loosening direction first, of course) and now the truss is moving fine. I always tend to err on the side of caution with things like this, but I guess it just needed a little more assertiveness on my part. I think we're good now.