Stiff truss rod?

GeneralElectric · #1 03-07-2011, 04:38 PM

One of my basses has a bowed neck where it'll fret out in the higher registers when I have low action. So I popped off the neck to adjust the truss rod and I don't get much in the way of movement maybe about 1/8th of a turn in either direction before it because nigh on impossible to turn. I'm scared of breaking the rod and this bass has already had a truss rod replacement.

202dy · #2 03-07-2011, 07:40 PM

Is this a dual action truss rod?

**SamanthaCay** · #3 03-07-2011, 07:49 PM

Sounds like you may have run out of thread on the rod, if you pull the nut off and throw on a washer or two it should fix the problem.
This is all assuming where’re talking about a traditional fender style rod.

gmarcus · #4 03-07-2011, 07:58 PM

You could also have a little glue on the threads. If the washer trick doesn't work or if you can't loosen the nut, take it to a luthier and see if they can clean up the threads.

Remus_Redbone · #5 03-07-2011, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

One of my basses has a bowed neck where it'll fret out in the higher registers when I have low action. So I popped off the neck to adjust the truss rod and I don't get much in the way of movement maybe about 1/8th of a turn in either direction before it because nigh on impossible to turn. I'm scared of breaking the rod and this bass has already had a truss rod replacement.

I'd discuss the adjustment or lack thereof with whoever did the replacement job. If it won't even loosen off, there's a serious issue. It sounds like to me the 1/8 turn either way is possibly the whole rod turning slightly in the channel and it's otherwise locked up (no nut-on-thread movement). You gotta' be careful.