Truss rod adjustment on new American Series Precision

curt basner · #1 06-10-2006, 08:34 PM

Hey all,

A very stupid question.

I have a new American Series Precision Bass. I really don't need to adjust the truss rod, but it might benefit from a tiny tweak. Here's the question. This bass (as I'm sure you know) has a small opening that would allow a truss rod adjusting tool to be used without the need to remove the neck. However, after inspecting it last night, I realized that the opening is so narrow that it looks as though the only way to really take advantage of this method to adjust the truss rod would be to have some sort of specialized tool. Am I correct in this, that a special tool is required? The bass didn't come with anything in the case. If such a tool is needed, where would I find one? I looked on line a Stew Mac, which usually has everything, but I didn't see anything like the kind of tool that it looks like I'd need.

Sorry to be stupid, but I'm baffled. Help please!

SamJ · #2 06-10-2006, 08:38 PM

All new Fender Basses come with the "Truss Rod Tool" which a 10" long large alan hex wrench with a T grip.. you basically aim it into the hole, and angle it down as low as you can, grip it well, and twist about 1/8 turn at a time, and see what you get... keep tweaking till you get the result you want..

if your bass didn't come with it, Fender dealers can sell you one.. but I can imagine a large alan key (shaped like an L) would also do the trick.. insert the short end into the truss rod, and then use the long end to adjust in the 1/8 turn increments.

Don't get too used to the P-neck.. it's going to make the J neck seem small!

curt basner · #3 06-10-2006, 08:43 PM

Hey Sam, thanks. Maybe there is enough room to get a normal allen head wrench in there. I just didn't try.

By the way, did you see my thread on the 1970 Jazz Bass (the natural finish, limited edition one)? Did you have an opinion on that bass at all? I'm seriously pondering getting one of those...

ThumperThumb5 · #4 06-10-2006, 08:46 PM

well...I have 2 basses, and both of them have truss rod adjustments on the headstock right above the nut. I should be an allen wrench (what size probably varies from brand to brand but one of mine was a 4mm and one was a 5/32.

My ESP B-55 5 string was never right...it always had string buzz...so I adjusted it myself (I know, take it to a luthier). Well it took a 1/3 turn and it was fixed. It was slightly convex and all it took was a little nudging...and now its a beautiful thing.

Paul, Chester

"thumping into the future"

SamJ · #5 06-10-2006, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curt basner

Hey Sam, thanks. Maybe there is enough room to get a normal allen head wrench in there. I just didn't try.

By the way, did you see my thread on the 1970 Jazz Bass (the natural finish, limited edition one)? Did you have an opinion on that bass at all? I'm seriously pondering getting one of those...

no, give me a link... I too am shopping for a Vintage Jazz.. I figure I've got a collection of J's might as well ad a vintage to my sounds.

curt basner · #6 06-10-2006, 10:51 PM

Here ya go, Sam (by the way, in case I wasn't clear, this is a new Fender CS Bass, not a real vintage one):

http://www.privatereserveguitars.com...0_R28996.shtml

Smallmouth_Bass · #7 06-10-2006, 10:54 PM

Yeah, the new bass should have come with the adjusting tool. Mine did.

SamJ · #8 06-10-2006, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curt basner

Here ya go, Sam (by the way, in case I wasn't clear, this is a new Fender CS Bass, not a real vintage one):

http://www.privatereserveguitars.com...0_R28996.shtml

Very nice.. I love the natural ash.. Where is your thread on this? I must have missed it.

flatwoundfender · #9 06-10-2006, 11:17 PM

I just bought a 3/16 allen wrench, which won't fit in the slot between the pickguard and the neck, but it's pretty easy just to loosen the strings unscrew the neck make the adjustment and put the neck back on.

curt basner · #10 06-10-2006, 11:20 PM

Sam, here's my other thread: Fender Custom Shop Limited Edition 1970 Jazz Bass

By the way, I think the body on my new American Precision is ash also...it's a natural finish just like the 1970. I DO need to get pictures of it posted; I'll try tomorrow.

HMZ · #11 02-11-2007, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curt basner

Hey all,

A very stupid question.

I have a new American Series Precision Bass. I really don't need to adjust the truss rod, but it might benefit from a tiny tweak. Here's the question. This bass (as I'm sure you know) has a small opening that would allow a truss rod adjusting tool to be used without the need to remove the neck. However, after inspecting it last night, I realized that the opening is so narrow that it looks as though the only way to really take advantage of this method to adjust the truss rod would be to have some sort of specialized tool. Am I correct in this, that a special tool is required? The bass didn't come with anything in the case. If such a tool is needed, where would I find one? I looked on line a Stew Mac, which usually has everything, but I didn't see anything like the kind of tool that it looks like I'd need.

Sorry to be stupid, but I'm baffled. Help please!

Your bass should have come with the truss rod adjusting tool but I found that you really need to take the pickguard off to get at the truss rod. If you use the tee type wrench (that Fender supplies) on an angle it will strip the nut eventually.