Please help guys, truss rod too tight(I used the search function)

[BrandonBass]

I just got a CIJ 05 jap pbass yesterday, it was set up with medium action with quite abit of relief on the neck. Thing sounds great and plays decent enough.

First thing I did when I brought it home was to adjust the action, like I did with all my new purchases. Was surprised by the fact that after removing the pickguard, there is no 'tunnel' at the heel of the neck for my to adjust the truss rod. What a PITA.

Fine, so I took out the neck and tried tightening the truss rod with my flathead screw driver. Doesnt budge. Ive used the flathead screw driver to adjust quite afew basses with no issues at all. After afew failed attempts at tightening the truss rod despite using quite alot of strength and wearing out abit of the truss rod head, I decided to just loosen the truss rod nut. I took it out, sprayed some contact cleaner and tightened it back.

Same situation.

I believe I can still straighten the neck somemore, since from a side angle the neck when taken apart from the body, still have some relief.

Should I just get hold of a truss rod wrench and use more strength ? Or is there a better alternative. I wish to cause any damage to my bass, so heres when the helpful TB forum comes into play.!

[darius8]

Archimedes said “Give me a place to stand, and with a lever, I will move the whole world.”

Get a screwdriver thats bent like an "L" shape; You'll get more leverage.

Also, this link has a good idea on loosening a stuck truss rod that involves using your knee, try this first:
Setup Instruction Manual

[walterw]

contact cleaner?

that's for electronics!

take it out again, and lube it, with a bit of 3-in-one oil in the threads of the nut, followed by a bit of candle wax rubbed on there, too.

re-install, then tighten with one of these:



an offset screwdriver gives much better leverage and control here.

[darius8]

Originally Posted by walterw

contact cleaner?

that's for electronics!

take it out again, and lube it, with a bit of 3-in-one oil in the threads of the nut, followed by a bit of candle wax rubbed on there, too.

re-install, then tighten with one of these:



an offset screwdriver gives much better leverage and control here.

We were thinking the same thing

[K-Frog]

Originally Posted by darius8

Also, this link has a good idea on loosening a stuck truss rod that involves using your knee, try this first:
Setup Instruction Manual

If you can easily loosen the nut, but cannot tighten it, i might be afraid that you've run out of threads on the rod. It shouldn't be that hard to make the adjustment, provided there is still some adjustment left. if you've run out of threads on the rod, you can get a special sized washer and put under the nut to give you some more adjustment range.

I always flex the neck manually, make the adjustment, and let the truss rod hold the adjustment. Why force the truss rod to move the neck. That's one way to break a truss rod.

[BrandonBass]

Originally Posted by K-Frog

If you can easily loosen the nut, but cannot tighten it, i might be afraid that you've run out of threads on the rod. It shouldn't be that hard to make the adjustment, provided there is still some adjustment left. if you've run out of threads on the rod, you can get a special sized washer and put under the nut to give you some more adjustment range.

I always flex the neck manually, make the adjustment, and let the truss rod hold the adjustment. Why force the truss rod to move the neck. That's one way to break a truss rod.

so...i should loosen the nut, then 'bend' the neck straighter while i tighten the nut back? am I right to say that? what if it still doesnt work?

[K-Frog]

Almost.
Straightening the neck by hand makes it easier to turn the truss rod. You don't need to loosen it first. If it doesn't tighten more easily, I'll wager that you have no adjustment left and will need to stack an additional truss rod nut washer on top of the one that is in there now.

[BrandonBass]

Originally Posted by K-Frog

Almost.
Straightening the neck by hand makes it easier to turn the truss rod. You don't need to loosen it first. If it doesn't tighten more easily, I'll wager that you have no adjustment left and will need to stack an additional truss rod nut washer on top of the one that is in there now.

thanks guys for the replies. After some analysis, I dont think my flat head screw driver is a problem, the truss rod simply wont budge clockwise. Forcing it will prolly wreck something up big time.

I just might need to get some washers to slot into the truss hole. Now...to find the right sized ones, damn. I went to my local DIY store and all the washers they have are either too flat or too wide.

Reckon itd be a good idea to try guitar centre?

[JLS]

That would be a good laugh.

Should I just get hold of a truss rod wrench and use more strength ?

No. You need to backclamp this neck into a backbow, to see if you can get the trussrod to function.

[rumblethump]

I've had to make my washers. This fix works. I have a telecaster bass neck that I used this technique on. Now its straight as an arrow with Fender flats.

[scottbass]

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

thanks guys for the replies. After some analysis, I dont think my flat head screw driver is a problem, the truss rod simply wont budge clockwise. Forcing it will prolly wreck something up big time.

I just might need to get some washers to slot into the truss hole. Now...to find the right sized ones, damn. I went to my local DIY store and all the washers they have are either too flat or too wide.

Reckon itd be a good idea to try guitar centre?

If you have the proper tools an are at all handy, just start with a washer that is the correct thickness and has the correct inner hole diameter, then grind down the outer diameter until it is sized correctly.

Or just buy one of these: STEWMAC.COM : Truss Rod Rescue Kit Free information

No, guitar centre won't be able to help you.

[K-Frog]

Originally Posted by scottbass

If you have the proper tools an are at all handy, just start with a washer that is the correct thickness and has the correct inner hole diameter, then grind down the outer diameter until it is sized correctly.

This is a legitimate and inexpensive fix if you have a grinder, or a file and a lot of patience. I've "customized" quite a few washers in my day.

Originally Posted by scottbass

No, guitar centre won't be able to help you.

Don't discount them too quickly, they actually tend to have a lot of parts. A quick call or stop by if you are close might get you fixed up.

[BrandonBass]

Originally Posted by K-Frog

This is a legitimate and inexpensive fix if you have a grinder, or a file and a lot of patience. I've "customized" quite a few washers in my day.




Don't discount them too quickly, they actually tend to have a lot of parts. A quick call or stop by if you are close might get you fixed up.

Ok , Im afraid ive jus ****ed something up. Cant find the correct sized washer, so I got a 'hexagon nut' with outer diameter small enough to fit in. However the inner diameter is too small to go into the truss hole stick. So I filed the grooves of the inner diameter and slotted it in. I tried turning the truss, it still wont go any further, the truss rod nut is even sticking out.

I gave up so I tried to take out my DIY'ed washer, but it seems to be stuck. Any solutions?

[Floyd Eye]

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

Ok , Im afraid ive jus ****ed something up. Cant find the correct sized washer, so I got a 'hexagon nut' with outer diameter small enough to fit in. However the inner diameter is too small to go into the truss hole stick. So I filed the grooves of the inner diameter and slotted it in. I tried turning the truss, it still wont go any further, the truss rod nut is even sticking out.

I gave up so I tried to take out my DIY'ed washer, but it seems to be stuck. Any solutions?

Take it to a tech. And by tech I do NOT mean anyone at Guitar Center.

[BrandonBass]

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

Take it to a tech. And by tech I do NOT mean anyone at Guitar Center.

Ok, I managed to get out the self made washer. But the deal is, even with the washer in it doesnt seem to to solve the problem. It only makes my truss rod nut erected outside of the hole when tightened to max

[Floyd Eye]

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

Ok, I managed to get out the self made washer. But the deal is, even with the washer in it doesnt seem to to solve the problem. It only makes my truss rod nut erected outside of the hole when tightened to max

Tech time. Unless you know what you are doing you could very easily screw it up real bad.

[JLS]

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

Ok, I managed to get out the self made washer. But the deal is, even with the washer in it doesnt seem to to solve the problem. It only makes my truss rod nut erected outside of the hole when tightened to max

Since you ignored my advice to backclamp this neck, I can only assume that you'll ignore the advice that others are giving you, i.e.--take it to a pro.

Seriously, you're really lucky that you haven't FUBARed this neck, so far, but it appears that you're still stumbling down that path. Stop while you're ahead, even if just barely.

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by JLS

Since you ignored my advice to backclamp this neck, I can only assume that you'll ignore the advice that others are giving you, i.e.--take it to a pro.

Seriously, you're really lucky that you haven't FUBARed this neck, so far, but it appears that you're still stumbling down that path. Stop while you're ahead, even if just barely.

Fixed it for you.

[K-Frog]

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

Ok, I managed to get out the self made washer. But the deal is, even with the washer in it doesnt seem to to solve the problem. It only makes my truss rod nut erected outside of the hole when tightened to max

That's a bit perplexing since adding the nut, as a washer in this case, effectively gained you some more threads on the rod and you still didn't get enough adjustment out of it.

Time to let some one else look at it.

[pacojas]

did he just say what i thought he said???

a nut is not a washer and always assist the TR as you tighten. your knee is your fulcrom. use a washer only if necessary as stated. you CAN do this. gl