Truss Rod Maxxed Out

Alembic83 · #1 09-23-2006, 10:59 AM

Hello, I checked the links for other truss rod answers and did a forum search but couldn't find an answer for my question so here goes:

I recently acquired an early 80s Aria SB neckthrough bass that has a truss rod problem. I took it to the tech I normally take my basses to for setups and he said it appears the truss rod is maxxed out. He tried to adjust it but he said it was much harder than it should be, so much so that he thought it could break. So he backed it off a little and just set it up as best he could from there. As it stands, the bass is setup with very high action, saddles are lowered as far as they can go, strings about 1/4" higher than they should be.

My question is, is there any solution to this problem other than replacing the truss rod? Someone on another board mention the possibility of adding a washer under the nut on the trussrod. Has anyone ever tried this or other possible solutions?

I'm not much of a DIYer, especially on anything like the truss so I'd have to take it to repairman/luthier, but would like some ideas before I do so. Also, any ballpark estimates on how much any repairs might run would be helpful.
Other than that, the bass is beautiful and in fine condition so it would be a shame if it has to be retired! Thanks in advance!
Jason

62bass · #2 09-23-2006, 12:54 PM

Yes, search this forum. There was a thread about using washers. I'm surprised your tech didn't try it. It works and is easy to do. It gives a bit more purchase to the nut. The wood can compress over time under the nut. I've done it successfully many times.

If you're going to get someone else to do it, find a different tech. The guy you went to is missing something from his bag of tricks. It shouldn't be expensive to do. Just a matter of removing the nut, adding a couple washers and replacing the nut. Then adjusting truss rod tension. About what a normal job would cost. if I were to do it, I wouldn't charge anything extra for the washers as they're so cheap and I usually have plenty around.

62bass · #3 09-23-2006, 01:05 PM

One more thought upon rereading your post--you say the strings are 1/4" higher than they should be. That's a lot. Are you sure the problem is just a bowed neck? If that was the sole problem, the neck would be very obviously bowed. There may be other issues. You should be able to get that bass playing good again, but something is wrong for sure.

king88uy7 · #4 09-24-2006, 08:15 PM

The truss rod can only do so much, with or without washers. If your neck is really bowed, you may need to work on the fingerboard to get the neck playable.

Alembic83 · #5 09-25-2006, 12:12 PM

Thanks to everyone for your input. I will take these options to a luthier or a tech to see what they say. At least it gives me some hope that the bass isn't a total loss yet.
To 62bass, as far as I know, the only problem mentioned was a maxxed out truss rod. Are there any other possibilities that could cause this?
To king88uy7, what do you mean by working on the fingerboard to get the neck playable? Do you mean remove it to get at the truss rod?
Thanks again.

62bass · #6 09-25-2006, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alembic83

Thanks to everyone for your input. I will take these options to a luthier or a tech to see what they say. At least it gives me some hope that the bass isn't a total loss yet.
To 62bass, as far as I know, the only problem mentioned was a maxxed out truss rod. Are there any other possibilities that could cause this?
To king88uy7, what do you mean by working on the fingerboard to get the neck playable? Do you mean remove it to get at the truss rod?
Thanks again.

Sometimes there can be a twist in the neck, or a bump in the neck where the neck connects to the body. Things like this can't be cured by a simple truss rod adjustment. Sometimes removing the neck and shimming it a bit is needed. Or the fingerboard removed and neck planed flat then fingerboard replaced. Sometimes frets might need to be levelled. There are a lot of things that can give problems.

What you should first do is check to see if your neck is still bowed badly despite the truss rod being tightened as far as it will go. If it is, then the washers under the truss rod nut trick will work to straighten it enough. After this is set as good as it gets you may still have some other problems. I don't know without looking your bass over. I understand those were pretty good basses and it should be possible to get it to be a good player again. It will depend on what other issues it may have if you want to put the work into it.

I was surprised that the tech you took it to didn't try using washers to get a little more out of the truss rod if that's all the problem was. That's why I suggested taking it to someone else for an assessment.

Edit-I just reread your first post and see it is a neckthrough. Shimming the neck is not possible.