Truss rod won't turn

iwannalearnbass · #1 05-17-2009, 09:51 AM

I have this Squire P-Bass and I tried to loosen the truss rod. The thing won't budge a millimeter, even after applying considerably strength to the wrench. Anything I can do?

JustDavid · #2 05-17-2009, 09:56 AM

It won't turn in either direction?

iwannalearnbass · #3 05-17-2009, 10:00 AM

JustDavid · #4 05-17-2009, 10:13 AM

If you or the shop can't adjust the truss rod your only other variable is string tension.

I've heard of people having luck with gently forcing the neck in the direction they want it to move & then adjusting the truss rod in that direction. Do it at your own risk.

I don't know enough to suggest loosening the truss rod nut with lubricant.

Giraffe · #5 05-17-2009, 10:20 AM

Penetrating oil can work wonders. Sometimes it takes time, sometimes it takes more than one application. A drop or two at the junction of rod and nut, patience, repeat, loosen first.

Some report having luck with heat as well. They heat the tool, the tool transfers heat to the nut, something expands and it's unfrozen. Exercise great caution, don't open any glue joints.

iwannalearnbass · #6 05-17-2009, 11:38 AM

Errr, I'm not sure I have a nut. It's just a hole into which you stick the Allen wrench...

ErebusBass · #7 05-17-2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwannalearnbass

Errr, I'm not sure I have a nut. It's just a hole into which you stick the Allen wrench...

What do you think you stick the allen wrench into?

dmusic148 · #8 05-17-2009, 11:45 AM

The thing you stick the tool into is actually a nut, threaded onto the end of the rod. The rod itself doesn't turn.

gregwatts2008 · #9 05-17-2009, 11:53 AM

Take it to a Luthier! Don't touch it unless you know what you are doing.

DanRJBrasil · #10 05-17-2009, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwannalearnbass

I have this Squire P-Bass and I tried to loosen the truss rod. The thing won't budge a millimeter, even after applying considerably strength to the wrench. Anything I can do?

did you loose the strings before trying to turn the trussrod?

JLS · #11 05-17-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwannalearnbass

I have this Squire P-Bass and I tried to loosen the truss rod. The thing won't budge a millimeter, even after applying considerably strength to the wrench. Anything I can do?

If you're loosening the trussrod--and that's turning it to your LEFT, as you're looking at it--you'd be adding more relief, that is to say forward bow. By "applying considerably strength", what you may be doing is stripping the trussrod nut, or, worst case, ruining the trussrod itself.

So, what are you trying to do?

iwannalearnbass · #12 05-18-2009, 08:30 AM

Well, I complained that my action was too high and a guy told me my neck was too straight and needed some relief. So, I'm trying to loosen the truss rod, which presumably means turning the thing counter-clockwise.

I thought I'd try myself before taking it to the shop since it's about time I figured out how to set up my own instrument. It's a pretty cheap bass anyway so good to try now before I get a more expensive one!

I first tried it with the strings on. Didn't work so I took off the strings, and when that didn't work i even removed the neck, thinking there might be a screw I missed somewhere. No such luck.

JLS · #13 05-18-2009, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwannalearnbass

Well, I complained that my action was too high and a guy told me my neck was too straight and needed some relief. So, I'm trying to loosen the truss rod, which presumably means turning the thing counter-clockwise.

I thought I'd try myself before taking it to the shop since it's about time I figured out how to set up my own instrument. It's a pretty cheap bass anyway so good to try now before I get a more expensive one!

I first tried it with the strings on. Didn't work so I took off the strings, and when that didn't work i even removed the neck, thinking there might be a screw I missed somewhere. No such luck.

Completely clueless. Wrong.

Okay, you tried it yourself, time to bite the bullet and take it to someone who knows what he/she's doing, and see if it's salvageable. Sorry.

JustDavid · #14 05-18-2009, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwannalearnbass

Well, I complained that my action was too high and a guy told me my neck was too straight and needed some relief.

Uhhhh, adding neck relief will have the strings higher.

Shop time, bro.

Pilgrim · #15 05-18-2009, 10:34 AM

I strongly recommend that you spend some time doing your homework online - there is lots of information about doing setups - and even if you just take an hour to surf some threads here, you will learn much more than you know now. Everyone starts from Zero in terms of their knowledge of how instruments are assembled and adjusted, but you need to do your own homework. Don't depend on what some "guy" said - then just grab tools and start messing around.

My suggestion: it will be MUCH cheaper to take it to a luthier and have him work on this - AND explain what he did - than to break the truss rod and have to replace the neck. My suspicion is that the nut will need an application of penetrating oil and some days to soak before it can be turned.

iwannalearnbass · #16 05-18-2009, 11:11 AM

Well, it's not like I just picked up the wrench and started pulling. And the guy who told me my neck was too straight was a techie, or luthier or whatever you call it.

So this is what I read: Having a tiny bit of relief in your neck gives the strings more room to vibrate, which in turn should allow you to have lower saddles, which is what I'm trying to do.

Zat wrong?

Pilgrim · #17 05-18-2009, 11:36 AM

The gent who told you the neck was too straight should have spent a few more seconds helping you understand how to adjust it - perhaps in the future you can ask for more information.

I wasn't trying to be harsh - but I was suggesting that you read up on the topic. Doing a setup (which is what you're engaged in) is a process of balancing a number of factors, including such things as neck relief, saddle settings and pickup settings, and there are links in this forum which connect to many different setup sites. Reading that information will give you a more informed view and will help you achieve better results.

The "best" height of strings above frets depends on such things as how hard you attack the strings. A vigorous attack means you will need more string relief to avoid clattering the strings against the frets. A soft attack or finger motions parallel to the fretboard allow lower action without this problem.

If you want to lower the saddles, go ahead. You may not need to mess with the neck. If you get fret buzz, then you'll have a reason to read up on the topic and figure out how to balance the adjustments required to end up where you want to be.

iwannalearnbass · #18 05-18-2009, 11:45 AM

Thanks for the support. I watched countless youtube videos and read at least three set up guides before taking the wrench to the nut.

I have been through all the steps you just mentioned--lowered the saddles, got buzz (on 7th), then tried adjusting the neck.

Seems I'm in the market for lubricant now. Do I just drip it around the edges of the nut or what?

Pilgrim · #19 05-18-2009, 11:46 AM

Tried a bit of graphite on the nut? It doesn't gather dust and grit, although it's a bit grimy-looking when applied. Pencil lead rubbed around the cut-out in the nut often works.

iwannalearnbass · #20 05-18-2009, 11:55 AM

Can't really see how you get pencil lead into the nut. What's a cut-out anyway? Does that mean around the nut?