OLP Truss Rod

KAC89 · #1 11-23-2009, 07:01 PM

I have a regular OLP 4 string bass that my friend gave to me. It doesn't have a truss rod. What length rod should I buy?
Thanks,
-Kevin

JLS · #2 11-23-2009, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KAC89

I have a regular OLP 4 string bass that my friend gave to me. It doesn't have a truss rod. What length rod should I buy?
Thanks,
-Kevin

How are you going to install it?

KAC89 · #3 11-26-2009, 07:06 PM

I plan on sticking it in and very slowly tightening it. I honestly didn't know there was procedure to it other than that.

chokeslam512 · #4 11-26-2009, 07:11 PM

Interesting.....

Pilgrim · #5 11-26-2009, 09:49 PM

You need to do more research on OLP basses. They have truss rods. The adjustment procedure is explained in posts "stuck" at the top of this forum.

Unless you're a troll, in which case...have a nice evening.

JLS · #6 11-27-2009, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KAC89

I plan on sticking it in and very slowly tightening it. I honestly didn't know there was procedure to it other than that.

You might want to do a bit of research.

KAC89 · #7 11-27-2009, 05:59 AM

Ok, A: who trolls in an advice forum? That's retarded. And B, you guys have been no help. What do you mean I need to do more research. I need a truss rod for my OLP bass. I know that I have to be very careful when adjusting it. I know it will even take a couple days. I just want to know how I go about knowing what length I need for it.

T-Bird · #8 11-27-2009, 07:06 AM

Hi.

Welcome to TalkBass KAC89.

Quite a few people troll in every sub-forum, it's not like any is immune to that behaviour. Revenge is usually the common demeanor.

Judging by Your question (and Your replies), I can see why that thought can cross someones mind

.

Are You really referring to the fretboard lenght of a threaded steel rod underneath the said fretboard or perhaps to something else?

Installing a truss rod is quite a task, which includes removing the fretboard, routing a channel, preparing the surfaces for gluing, the gluing itself, complete fretwork etc. Not a task that can easily be performed with simple hand tools.
Obviously it can be done and quite a few of us have done it, me included, but it's feasible only if there's no aftermarket replacement neck available, if even then. Or for learning purposes where the cost/time is written off as educational.

Please elaborate as I strongly doubt that the bass is question doesn't have a truss rod. Wishbass is the only current bass that I know of that hasn't got one.

Regards
Sam

JLS · #9 11-27-2009, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KAC89

Ok, A: who trolls in an advice forum? That's retarded. And B, you guys have been no help. What do you mean I need to do more research. I need a truss rod for my OLP bass. I know that I have to be very careful when adjusting it. I know it will even take a couple days. I just want to know how I go about knowing what length I need for it.

I mean, really?

Benjamin Strange · #10 11-27-2009, 07:36 PM

Well, it is possible for a truss rod to have come out of the neck by over-loosening it and sliding it out of the channel. The end peen is probably still stuck in the neck, and you'd have to find the proper length and threading to stick another back in there. The only real proper way to replace a truss rod is to steam the fretboard off, or remove the skunk stripe.

It's hard to say what needs to happen without seeing the bass.

KAC89 · #11 11-27-2009, 09:32 PM

Thank you Benjamin and T-bird. That's what I needed to know. I think what you said about the rod being over loosened is what I've got going on with my bass.
I just want to make sure I understood your replay T-bird:
You suggest that buying a whole new neck is better/easier than trying to replace the rod itself?

T-Bird · #12 11-28-2009, 12:30 AM

Hi.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KAC89

Thank you Benjamin and T-bird. That's what I needed to know. I think what you said about the rod being over loosened is what I've got going on with my bass.
I just want to make sure I understood your replay T-bird:
You suggest that buying a whole new neck is better/easier than trying to replace the rod itself?

You're welcome Kevin.

Yes, usually the whole neck is replaced.

Like I said, it's not an impossible task to replace a truss rod, but it's very, very seldom feasible to do so. An operation like this runs approximately on $300 mark AFAIK.

If You want to try it though, nothing prevents you from doing so. The neck is useless as-is, so You really can't make things any worse

. The truss rod itself is around $10 so the material expenses aren't that high.

I very much doubt that anyone here knows the exact truss rod size for the OLP though, so You have to remove the fretboard first to measure the lenght, width and depth of the truss rod and try to find a suitable replacement. Or to make one from scratch.

Just to make sure, the bass in question does have a separate, somewhat removable fretboard and not a "skunk stripe" truss rod cover on the back of the neck?

Regards
Sam

Pilgrim · #13 11-28-2009, 09:34 AM

Here's a suggestion: since KAC89 is asking a question which clearly indicates that he's quite new to this and doesn't know understand basses are constructed...he would be foolish to start buying necks or undertaking an expensive and technically complex procedure himself.

I think he needs to take the instrument to a luthier or music store with a tech and ask the question there. What I think he will learn is: 1) there is a truss rod in the instrument, and 2) how to adjust it.

If by some incredibly unusual and arcane process the truss rod has been removed (maybe 1 chance in 10,000) rather than spend hundreds on an OLP bass I'd either replace the neck with a used one bought cheap on Ebay, or sell the bass.

WalterBush · #14 11-28-2009, 09:52 AM

Or just look on eBay for "OLP bass truss rod" and see if one pops up. If the part it screws into is still set in the headstock, it should just screw right in, correct?

If it was any more complex than that, I wouldn't bother with the neck, unless you're looking to learn to do this kind of work.

Pilgrim · #15 11-28-2009, 10:21 AM

Walter, I'm not convinced the OP can say with confidence that he actually needs a truss rod. I think showing it to a tech and asking his question is likely to help him avoid lost time and unnecessary expense. The original complaint (and his responses to the first few questions) were stated in a way that made it sound like the writer was not knowledgeable about basses at all. This may not be the case, but the exchange so far has not presented any evidence to the contrary.

Aside from that, I quite agree with you. Stew-Mac online also carries materials. http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Truss_ro...Truss_Rod.html

But I'm not convinced there is any problem (there is no explanation of the reasons for the original claim that there is no truss rod, which I find EXTREMELY improbable) or that if there is one, that the OP has the technical expertise and capability to fix it.

Perhaps we should ask: why does the OP think there is no truss rod? Maybe there's a good reason for the original complaint, but we haven't seen any background information to explain this highly unusual assertion.

Meatrus · #16 11-28-2009, 12:14 PM

Not meaning to treat you like an idiot, but the truss rod is at the base of the neck, not the headstock on OLPs, so you may be looking at the wrong end? Its a little wheel shaped thing with holes in on OLPs.

KAC89 · #17 11-28-2009, 05:24 PM

Yes, I'm quite aware that the truss rod is located at the bass of the neck and not in the head stock. This bass was given to me from a friend who took everything apart on it to use as a parts bass. All that was left was the body, neck and tuning pegs. I know there's no truss rod because my friend 1, told me, and 2, I shined a light down the obvious hole where something that is shaped like a rod would go and low and behold I found nothing! I thought I would ask for some advice from some fellow bassists and I actually did get some help from some people. But Pilgrim, you're an ass. This may not be the case, but the exchange so far has not presented any evidence to the contrary. Get off your high horse and stop sounding like a pompous windbag.
I know I can take it to luthier but I would much rather do this on my own.
I don't think I'll be sticking around this sight much longer. Thank you to the rest of you who offered helpful suggestions without passive aggressive jabs. I will look into a new neck.

Meatrus · #18 11-28-2009, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KAC89

Yes, I'm quite aware that the truss rod is located at the bass of the neck and not in the head stock. This bass was given to me from a friend who took everything apart on it to use as a parts bass. All that was left was the body, neck and tuning pegs. I know there's no truss rod because my friend 1, told me, and 2, I shined a light down the obvious hole where something that is shaped like a rod would go and low and behold I found nothing! I thought I would ask for some advice from some fellow bassists and I actually did get some help from some people. But Pilgrim, you're an ass. This may not be the case, but the exchange so far has not presented any evidence to the contrary. Get off your high horse and stop sounding like a pompous windbag.
I know I can take it to luthier but I would much rather do this on my own.
I don't think I'll be sticking around this sight much longer. Thank you to the rest of you who offered helpful suggestions without passive aggressive jabs. I will look into a new neck.

I hope I'm not included in that, just thought it would make sense. It would have saved anyone making any snide comments against you if you had explained the full story first though. So everyone would have been sure that there actually is no truss rod. As nobody knows your level of experience, so for all anyone knows you may not have a clue (which you obviously do) about setup.

The best way of avoiding being flamed is to be clear, and polite of course.

I have no other motive for saying this other than trying to help.

arginator · #19 11-28-2009, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meatrus

It would have saved anyone making any snide comments against you if you had explained the full story first though. So everyone would have been sure that there actually is no truss rod.

Or maybe you all could have just asked him nicely instead of making assumptions and rude comments.

Turnaround · #20 11-28-2009, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KAC89

But Pilgrim, you're an ass. This may not be the case, but the exchange so far has not presented any evidence to the contrary. Get off your high horse and stop sounding like a pompous windbag.
.

Be careful when calling names on TalkBass. Pilgrim is a highly respected participant in these forums, and has shown consistent good sense in his advise. Your situation is so strange it is not surprising that questions were raised to understand the true nature of the problem. After all, there are often questions asked here that show a real lack of understanding. Yours is so highly unusual that it's bound to raise questions.