TR nut is stripped... help?

[ElectraPhoenix]

Yeah. The truss rod nut is stripped on my bass, so it's near impossible to turn the truss rod. I need to turn the truss rod because it's not set correctly right now... so I need to adjust it and fix the action. How do I go about this? Is there anything I can do? I'd like to buy a new neck for it... but it's kind of expensive, so if I can fix this little problem, that'd be great. Any suggestions?

[T-Bird]

Hi.

What kind of TR?

Double acting/single acting, removable/non removable nut?

If the nut is removable, just screw it off and buy a new one that matches the old one.

Regards
Sam

[ElectraPhoenix]

umm... not sure, really. i'm not an expert at any of this, i know how to do a setup but that's as far as my knowledge goes. it's a fender neck, though. i'm thinking about selling it, though, and buying a better fender one. (this is technically a squier, actually, but it's one of the nice Mexican ones from the 90s).

but yeah, not sure. and if it is removable... how does it screw off? i somehow doubt it is removable, or fixable at this point... might have to sell it on the cheap.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

I'm not a Fender expert, but most of the basic models have a "normal" single acting TR, AFAIK.

The nut screws off counter-clockwise.

Do You have the nut access in the heel or in the headstock?

Regards
Sam

[ElectraPhoenix]

i need to tighten the rod to straighten the neck because it's bowed forward right now. the allen key just won't turn it because the nut is really stripped. the access is in the headstock. it's not one of the bullet rods (where it sticks out the top) it's a regular recessed one, so i had to hold a flashlight up to see the rod, but it's definitely stripped.

[JLS]

Originally Posted by ElectraPhoenix

i need to tighten the rod to straighten the neck because it's bowed forward right now. the allen key just won't turn it because the nut is really stripped. the access is in the headstock. it's not one of the bullet rods (where it sticks out the top) it's a regular recessed one, so i had to hold a flashlight up to see the rod, but it's definitely stripped.

Is the hex socket stripped? I'm assuming that's what you're trying to communicate.

I would strongly suggest that you backclamp the neck, before you try to tighten the nut.

[SDB Guitars]

Originally Posted by JLS

Is the hex socket stripped? I'm assuming that's what you're trying to communicate.

I would strongly suggest that you backclamp the neck, before you try to tighten the nut.

+1 on both of these suggestions. Also, loosen the strings.

If it is the allen/hex socket that is stripped, you might try using one of the "ball end" allen wrenches. I have a long T-handle style one that I use for all my truss rod adjustments.

To avoid this on my custom builds, I have now moved almost exclusively to the "MM/spoke wheel" heel adjustment style rods, usually in single action.

[72LML]

ElectraPhoenix,

You should be able to fix it by backing the truss rod nut off completley (turn it counter-clockwise) and then replacing it with a new one. If you're not comfortable doing this feel free to take the neck off and ship it to me (or if you're going to be in the Twin Cities area sometime soon, just drop it off) and I'll take care of it. If I can get the nut out I'll bring it into work and have them re-broach the hex to a slightly larger size and you should be good to go. PM me if you're intrested.

Nathan

[ElectraPhoenix]

Originally Posted by JLS

Is the hex socket stripped? I'm assuming that's what you're trying to communicate.

I would strongly suggest that you backclamp the neck, before you try to tighten the nut.

yeah. that's what i meant. the hex socket is so stripped, the allen key won't turn it.

[ElectraPhoenix]

Originally Posted by 72LML

ElectraPhoenix,

You should be able to fix it by backing the truss rod nut off completley (turn it counter-clockwise) and then replacing it with a new one. If you're not comfortable doing this feel free to take the neck off and ship it to me (or if you're going to be in the Twin Cities area sometime soon, just drop it off) and I'll take care of it. If I can get the nut out I'll bring it into work and have them re-broach the hex to a slightly larger size and you should be good to go. PM me if you're intrested.

Nathan

thanks very much for the offer, but i think it's time for a new neck anyways. this is my only bass, and it's a super parts bass, and i'm trying to make it amazing and the best it can be (for what i can afford) and so it's probably time to upgrade necks anyways. the current neck on it is from a 90s Squier (MIM) that feels great and is in great condition, but this TR problem is bugging me and i feel it's time for a real Fender neck anyways.

if anyone wants this neck, i'll be selling it fairly soon so let me know.

but i was wondering if there was any easy way to fix/deal with this, but it's looking like not.

[JLS]

Originally Posted by ElectraPhoenix

thanks very much for the offer, but i think it's time for a new neck anyways. this is my only bass, and it's a super parts bass, and i'm trying to make it amazing and the best it can be (for what i can afford) and so it's probably time to upgrade necks anyways. the current neck on it is from a 90s Squier (MIM) that feels great and is in great condition, but this TR problem is bugging me and i feel it's time for a real Fender neck anyways.

if anyone wants this neck, i'll be selling it fairly soon so let me know.

but i was wondering if there was any easy way to fix/deal with this, but it's looking like not.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Truss_ro...xst=3&xsr=3064

[mech]

No need to trash a neck because of this.

Try a "ball end Allen wrench" of the correct size. Put it in at an angle and it will probably grab enough to back out the nut. Worked for me before. Don't use it for truss rod adjustments.

Look at the bottom right of the page to see what it looks like.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hex_key

mech

[ElectraPhoenix]

alright, i'll try that i guess. what am i supposed to do, though? pull out the whole rod? or just adjust it using the ball end wrench?

[mech]

....pull out the whole rod? or just adjust it using the ball end wrench?

Use the ball end wrench to remove the nut and replace it with a new one.

[ElectraPhoenix]

Originally Posted by mech

Use the ball end wrench to remove the nut and replace it with a new one.

ah. will just the nut come off? sorry for not totally understanding, i'm new at this setup stuff.

[mech]

Yes, the nut should come off. Turn it counter-clockwise. Righty tighty, lefty loosey. Have the strings off.

[72LML]

As Mech said, have the strings off, and just turn it Conter-clockwise. Once it starts to loosen it should easily unscrew and you should be able to remove it. If you decide to get rid of the neck let me know. I would be interested in it. I had a '95 MIM Squier Jazz bass and the neck on that thing was awesome. It's the only bass that I kick myself for selling.

[nofretdave]

I'm thinking of putting a spoke wheel nut on the Warmoth fretless neck I have for a project. Do I need to LocTite the new nut on or what keeps it from loosening up after the switch?

Dave

[mech]

nofretdave...Do I need to LocTite the new nut on or what keeps it from loosening up after the switch?

Truss rod nuts should not be glued as they would not be adjustable. The whole purpose of the adjustable trussrod is to be able to make small adjustments for changes in neck relief as the wood in the neck reacts to temperature/humidity changes.

With a properly designed neck, the truss rod should be under some tension. This will put pressure on the nut and it will be held in place by the friction between the threads on the nut and rod.

I've never seen one move on it's own.

mech

[mech]

JLS....http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Truss_ro...xst=3&xsr=3064

Neat tools. I didn't know they existed. I've made a few over the years by filing down common Allen wrenches. Should have thought to patent the idea.