Striped Allen Screw Squier Truss Rod

[skypn]

New to the forum, first post (hi all)
I'm getting into the bass after a ~20 year break. I picked up a used Fender Squier J-bass Affinity last November. I'm been practicing ever since, and thought the string buzz was from me. After it didn't go away, I started searching the web for help, which lead me to think about the truss rod. I have made NO adjustments so far, but I took a look in to the pocket where the allen head screw is, and saw it was striped. Not completely, but at least 70%. Give it to me straight, am I screwed?

[GreggBummer]

I just dealt with a something similar.

Are you screwed? Maybe.

You have a couple of options. First, if the bass is worth it to you, take it to a shop and have it repaired. They will assume the risk of screwing it up further. You put out the cash. You are looking at, more than likely, about $100. I think, before you go any further, you should take it by the repair shop for an estimate. It can't hurt.

Another option would be a neck replacement. Warmouth, Allparts, etc all sell decent necks at decent prices. Again, you would have to determine if that was economically the right thing to do.

Lastly, you could try to remove the nut yourself. If you do, hit Stewmac (or Sears/Home Depot) for an appropriate tool... something like this:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Sp..._Wrenches.html

I found out, the hard way, that using the same set of tools that you use to work on your car/motorcycle is not the best for working on guitars. Truss rod wrenches are the right tool for the job. You can but a replacement truss rod nut there as well.

The nut may need to be extracted using an extraction tool. Again, how much the the Squire worth to you? If it is worth the hassle, then you could look into that. I extracted a nut from an old Hondo bass... just for the experience of doing it. It was hard work. The risk, however, was low as the bass is probably worth about $50.

I hope you get it fixed. Playing a bass with a poor setup is the worst.

[skypn]

So....If I understand you, if it's not striped too bad I can just back it off until it comes out and the replace it? Where do I get a replacement? Mom and Pop's hardware, or a guitar shop?
Sorry I'm so thick.

[GreggBummer]

You are not being thick at all. No worries.

If you decide to try to back the nut out, then wait until you get the nut in your hand. You will have a better idea of what you need. You can do some research on the internet to see what size nut you need. I would also measure to confirm what you have. Then go to www.stewmac.com (or another site guitar parts site) and order the one you need. Should be about $5-$10.

I don't think most hardware stores carry those types of nuts. It is always worth trying... I always enjoy a trip to the hardware store anyway.

What is the model and year of your Squier?
EDIT: Reread the OP... Squier Affinity.

[skypn]

I don't know the year, but the kid who sold it to me said he got for Christmas '09

[skypn]

I paid $150 for bass and amp...If repairs are close to $75, I'll chalk it up to lesson learned and buy a different bass.

[GreggBummer]

Honestly, I'd take it to your local shop and get an estimate. If it is over $75 then try to get out yourself. If that doesn't work, then look at a new bass.

Down the road, as you get more comfortable with repairs and tinkering, you may want to switch out the neck. Squiers have some notoriety here on TB for being great basses to modify and tinker with.

Let me know how it works out.

[skypn]

OK then, I'll take it to a shop first.
I'll be out of town for 2 weeks starting this weekend so it won't be until after that...Telling you just in case you look for a reply

[C.Linton]

Yeah, when you get back and get your estimate or repair or whatever, let us know how it went.

[Bassamatic]

Be aware that the nut may be stripped because it is frozen and won't turn. However, the bass doesn't seem to be old enough for that to be the reason it is stripped.

[delta7fred]

Originally Posted by Gio S

Be aware that the nut may be stripped because it is frozen and won't turn. However, the bass doesn't seem to be old enough for that to be the reason it is stripped.

That is one reason why it may be stripped, the other is that the previous owner tried to adjust it with the wrong sized wrench. A lot of the far Eastern instruments have metric threads and hex wrench sizes. He may have used an imperial wrench in a metric hex hole. Not sure what wrench is needed for a Squire, but it needs to be a snug fit in the adjuster.

If it is frozen then it may be that the wood has compressed under the adjuster which has been tightened up until it has frozen on the truss rod thread. If this is the case then a couple of suitable sized washers should give you enough adjustment to get the correct neck relief.

If/when you get a new adjuster I would personally give it a very light application of anti seize or high pressure grease. Just my (engineers) opinion, maybe a proper luthier would like to advise on this.

[michaeln]

I was trying to imagine how a truss rod would be striped. Wound around it diagonally like a barber pole? But then, WHY?

[WardEarth]

If it is stripped, maybe you can cut a slot in it and remove it with a screwdriver. Dremel tool? Or maybe mix up a little epoxy and glue an allen wrench in place and remove it that way. Stewmac also has some special die tool that may work.

[skypn]

Just not to keep anyone hangin'...
Big Bro said don't try to fix, buy new, his treat. I told him I'd match $$$, so I'll have ~$400 to buy a NEW bass. I'll start a thread in the right forum on what to buy/look for. I think he wants us to buy it out in AZ before we move him back to MI, either place, I'd probably see/buy the same basses (SP?), just a tad leery of moving it
anyway...if this goes down, I don't need the bad Karma of "unloading" the old bass...would I be wrong to donate this flawed bass to an inter city music program, knowing it has issues?
TIA (thanks in advance).
I ask only because I would not ask more than $50 on CL, knowing it's flaws, and that is just ~2 trips to Mickey D's, so...

[mcapote]

Originally Posted by skypn

Just not to keep anyone hangin'...
Big Bro said don't try to fix, buy new, his treat. I told him I'd match $$$, so I'll have ~$400 to buy a NEW bass. I'll start a thread in the right forum on what to buy/look for. I think he wants us to buy it out in AZ before we move him back to MI, either place, I'd probably see/buy the same basses (SP?), just a tad leery of moving it
anyway...if this goes down, I don't need the bad Karma of "unloading" the old bass...would I be wrong to donate this flawed bass to an inter city music program, knowing it has issues?
TIA (thanks in advance).
I ask only because I would not ask more than $50 on CL, knowing it's flaws, and that is just ~2 trips to Mickey D's, so...

just cause it has a stripped neck don't mean total lose, a $65 neck off here and good as new. I would definitely not feel bad about giving it to a music program if you let em know whats wrong they may opt to replace the neck rather than buying it new for $300, or you could always donate it to me :P

[GreggBummer]

Originally Posted by skypn

J
anyway...if this goes down, I don't need the bad Karma of "unloading" the old bass...would I be wrong to donate this flawed bass to an inter city music program, knowing it has issues?

No needs bad karma in this economy.

I think the donation idea is a good one. Again, let them know the issue with the bass. A church, inner city music program, rural music program... really any music program... would be happy to have a bass for kids to discover music on.

The poster above also makes a good point that the bass isn't a total loss by any means. A new neck, and she is ready to go.

[skypn]

THX for the input.
I was going to try to fix this bass, but when the Big Man (my bra) says he'll buy ya a new one, well, ya just don't argue with the Big Man. DAMHIKT (don't ask me how I know this)

[skypn]

Everyone wanted an update on my quest for a bass so check this link

1989 MIJ Fender Jazz Bass

Thanks for the help