Is there any cure for a maxxed out truss rod?

quadrogong · #1 11-05-2009, 10:42 AM

other than changing the neck,obviously..on a bolt-on, a Pbass..is there something that can be done?
a more intensive,or more expensive cure for this?

TR is maxxed out,and my tech cannot get any relief,when the neck needs it.. the bass plays nicely,but I can't really get super low action if i wanted it,

It's at medium-low action now,and if i bring it way down, i get a few buzzing frets on the higher fret,near the 12th fret,on the D and G strings.
..so it's not a terrible problem,the bass performs pretty well as is,but the TR is indeed maxxed.

Besidesgetting a new neck,is there anything to be done?

JayfromDeeKay · #2 11-05-2009, 10:48 AM

I have the same problem. You could try switching to a brand of strings with different tension, thus giving a different pull on the neck.

curbowman · #3 11-05-2009, 11:15 AM

I do agree with Jay, a different set of strings could do the trick. However, you can also install a stainless steel washer behind the trussrod nut. This allows an extra rotation of the nut, increasing the tension. Bear in mind that the only way to attempt this is if the truss rod is in good shape, and if the washer is not too thick, because you want the nut to be securely held by the screw.

Bassamatic · #4 11-05-2009, 11:17 AM

I have removed the TR nut and put some little brass washers on for space. Revived the TR. I am not sure if this can be done on a P.

FunkMetalBass · #5 11-05-2009, 01:01 PM

Has your tech shimmed the neck at all?

If so, try to TR mods. If that doesn't work:

New Neck Time. Get one with graphite reinforcement.

slagbass · #6 11-05-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gio S

I have removed the TR nut and put some little brass washers on for space. Revived the TR. I am not sure if this can be done on a P.

I did it on mine. Here's a thread with more info:
It worked! Washer under truss rod nut

Hugh Jass · #7 11-06-2009, 05:02 AM

Sounds like you need less relief.

Washers did the trick for me.

SwamiRob · #8 11-06-2009, 05:20 AM

I've had the opposite problem with my SG guitar, the neck doesn't have enough curve to it at all and there's some nasty buzz on the first few frets. Going to use some higher tension AND higher gauge strings on it next time it gets restrung but the truss rod is literally not engaged at all at the moment and there's not enough bow.

Femto · #9 11-06-2009, 06:39 AM

Hey Rob, what's the fretwear like on that? Could it be that the first few frets are worn, making the strings closer than intended to the next few frets?

As far as the OP, quadrogong's problem, it's strange. I have an old Precision and the truss rod is very useable. Possibly it's a different design to yours, depending on the age of yours. Mine has a cross shaped head which is flush at the heel of the neck, so no washers can be added.

Quadrogong, is the action too high, i.e. you can't get the neck flat enough? That's the way I'm reading it. In that case, you may find that the solution is to use slightly lighter strings. Otherwise, maybe a luthier could remove the neck, release the truss rod and place it in a jig to change its resting shape.

This depends entirely on whether it's financially viable to do that, as opposed to just finding a replacement neck.

What sort of climate do you live in?

SwamiRob · #10 11-06-2009, 09:10 AM

Yeah that'd make sense, it's only an Epiphone. Got it mostly cos of the typical mid priced Epiphone sturdyish build quality, the pickups sounding crunchy and metal for palm muting and having a nice wide open sound, and my mate only asking £100 for it, wouldn't surprise me if there was some sub par fret work to be honest.

It's mostly the 2nd fret which is buzzing on all the strings, the 10th is a little nasty for some of them and the G is overall a bit buzzier then the rest, but the tune-o-matic bridge doesn't let you do individual string heights which is annoying. Kinda odd that the G is acting up like that and the B and E aren't though.

Femto · #11 11-06-2009, 09:38 AM

Hmm sounds like it could be something like that.

Anyway...

So very sorry about that. Back to you guys.

quadrogong · #12 11-07-2009, 04:24 PM

I spoke w My tech via telephone and his thick Japanese accent is tough for me sometimes, the rod was maxxed, not positive if it was more or less relief.
, I cannot get very low, low action w 104-45 rounds, there is buzzing high up, by the 9-12th fret area, G & D strings only.
If it's set a little higher, it's ok.

Maybe a lighter guage will help make the higher action feel easier to deal with,if anything.

the yeti · #13 11-07-2009, 04:34 PM

you could have the neck planed to proper relief with the tr in about a neutral position. that would put you back right i bet.

Fishheadjoe · #14 11-09-2009, 11:58 AM

Not for the faint of heart, but I had a similar problem with my Pedulla, the TR was maxed out and I was still not getting the close action I was hoping for.
I took the strings off the bass and (here comes the fun part) flipped the bass over so the fret board was on my left knee and, grabbing the neck at the nut(with my left hand) and just before the neck joint (with my right hand) and bent it backwards over my knee. I started gently and progressed forward with higher levels of force. I could here the TR moving in the neck, which then gave me about a 1/4 turn more on the rod. It worked!
Perhaps your TR is just locked up and this little trick will help to loosen it.
Fishheadjoe

JLS · #15 11-10-2009, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quadrogong

other than changing the neck,obviously..on a bolt-on, a Pbass..is there something that can be done?
a more intensive,or more expensive cure for this?

TR is maxxed out,and my tech cannot get any relief,when the neck needs it.. the bass plays nicely,but I can't really get super low action if i wanted it,

It's at medium-low action now,and if i bring it way down, i get a few buzzing frets on the higher fret,near the 12th fret,on the D and G strings.
..so it's not a terrible problem,the bass performs pretty well as is,but the TR is indeed maxxed.

Besidesgetting a new neck,is there anything to be done?

If your tech doesn't know about back clamping a neck, to get more trussrod adjustment, well...

That said, the real fix would be a refret, inducing some forward bow while sanding the fingerboard, so the trussrod wouldn't need to be cranked like that.

fishsticks · #16 11-10-2009, 11:56 AM

check this thread:
peavey foundation fretless action issues

lowendblues · #17 11-11-2009, 11:32 AM

You might look and see if your neck allready has a shim at the heel.

If you cant "flatten" your neck with the truss rod, and have medium relief, a shim would make matters worse as far as your action, and buzzing at the end of the fretboard.

If you have the shim try taking it out and setting up your bass. You might actually achieve lower action without the buzzing.

I experienced this with a Squier Pbass I have.