truss rod screw is loose

[juerg.lemke]

Hi everyone,

I have only played my Yamaha bass, which I got new, for two months. Over this period, and always afraid of doing some "major damage" to it out of ignorance, I only loosened the truss rod twice. Each of these times I only rotated it 90 degrees. I did this to overcome a buzz on the 3rd fret of the A string. Measuring relief as suggested in the sticky thread (barre at 1st fret, elbow strings at basis of neck and see how much they move around the 7-8th fret), I never really got the "credit card thick" relief which was suggested, but it was enough to overcome the buzzing so I was happy.

Now, perhaps because the building's heating system has kicked back into action (I speculate), the buzz is back on the same spot. I decided that it was time to loosen the truss rod a bit more, but - to my surprise! - the bolt at the base of the neck where the Allen key goes is completely loose. I mean, I can rotate it either way (clockwise and counter-clockwise) without any resistance.

What has happened? Has the time come for me to visit a repair store or is there something I can do about this on my own?

Thank you everyone!

Best

Juerg

[juerg.lemke]

I meant the truss rod *nut*, not screw : )

J

[juerg.lemke]

[My apologies for continuing to reply to myself!] After some additional googling I concluded that the nut might stop being loose if I tried screwing it clockwise (as if I wanted to tighten the truss rod). So I tried doing so and, in fact, now it is no longer loose. But the fret buzz is back on the A string, not only on the 3rd fret but now in all first three frets.

So, how does one fix fret buzz on the top five frets if one has already loosened the truss rod as much as it will go before the nut going loose?

Repairshop? : /

Thank you for any help,

Juergen

[Jo6Pak]

If you have the truss rod as loose as it will go and you still have buzzing in the lower registers, you may need to try a heavier string (higher tension) to pull on the neck a bit more.

[prokfrog]

Originally Posted by Jo6Pak

If you have the truss rod as loose as it will go and you still have buzzing in the lower registers, you may need to try a heavier string (higher tension) to pull on the neck a bit more.

Ditto

Especially now that it is getting warmer, and more humid, your neck is relaxing again.

[juerg.lemke]

Hi guys,

Thank you so much to all of you. I resettled the nut by turning it clockwise and will see how things stand tomorrow. If there is no improvement I will try buying heavier strings.

Thanks!

J