truss rod doesn't work jb neck

kennyj33 · #1 05-15-2009, 07:31 PM

Hi,

Is there anything I am not thinking of? I just bought a Jazz bass neck off ebay. I put it on my Peavey T-40. I shaved the JB neck to fit the Peavey pocket, and that is a non-issue because it fits now.

The neck is back bowed with no relief. This makes the first 4 frets buzz. I want to put some relief in the neck so when I press the 12th fret, there is a small gap at around the 5th and 6th fret.

I have turned the truss rod counter-clockwise for 20 minutes and it just seems loose. The neck will not straighten.

Is the truss rod disconnected or broke? The seller promised that the truss rod works fine.

It looks awesome on the T-40, and I want a Jazz neck on this bass.

Help please!

Thanks,

Ken

Slowgypsy · #2 05-15-2009, 07:52 PM

OK, I just re-read your post. So I'm confirming that the truss rod is completely loose, but that string tension isn't enough to straighten out the neck (put some relief into the neck). Have you put a straight edge on the frets to confirm that the neck is back bowed? One neck I had many years ago had a back bow "built in", and the only way I was able to get it out was to put very heavy gauge strings on, tuned up 1 step, and then let the neck sit for a day or so. It worked for me. But you should do the straight edge test first to confirm.

Slowgypsy · #3 05-15-2009, 07:59 PM

Also... you do have strings on the instrument now... right? And they are up to tune... right?

kennyj33 · #4 05-15-2009, 08:19 PM

Yes, strings were on the bass during the truss rod turning. I just took them off to see if that made any difference, and it didn't.

kennyj33 · #5 05-15-2009, 08:36 PM

I just tuned it up 2 steps high. I can see the hump. Also, when I press on the first and 12th fret, the string just lays across the frets. If I could put some relief in the neck so I could even slide a piece of paper under the 6th fret, it might be workable.

Hmmm.. I have heard of steam pressing necks to straighten them...

I'll have to wait and see how the seller replies to my message.

Thanks for your suggestions and ideas guys.

GlennW · #6 05-15-2009, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennyj33

I have turned the truss rod counter-clockwise for 20 minutes and it just seems loose. The neck will not straighten.

If you turned it ccw for 20 minutes and the nut didn't come off something's wrong (if it's a regular truss rod with a separate nut).

JLS · #7 05-16-2009, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennyj33

Hi,

Is there anything I am not thinking of? I just bought a Jazz bass neck off ebay. I put it on my Peavey T-40. I shaved the JB neck to fit the Peavey pocket, and that is a non-issue because it fits now.

The neck is back bowed with no relief. This makes the first 4 frets buzz. I want to put some relief in the neck so when I press the 12th fret, there is a small gap at around the 5th and 6th fret.

I have turned the truss rod counter-clockwise for 20 minutes and it just seems loose. The neck will not straighten.

Is the truss rod disconnected or broke? The seller promised that the truss rod works fine.

It looks awesome on the T-40, and I want a Jazz neck on this bass.

Help please!

Thanks,

Ken

You done got screwed.

Why not use a Foundation--PV's Jazz--neck?

mongo2 · #8 05-17-2009, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLS

You done got screwed.

Why not use a Foundation--PV's Jazz--neck?

+1

vejesse · #9 05-18-2009, 06:57 AM

Are you sure the truss rod doesn't work both ways, i.e. double acting? Before you start a Paypal dispute why don't you take the neck to someone who knows what he's doing.