Trust rod limit?

staf Wouters · #1 09-25-2011, 01:09 PM

Hello folks,

I'm a newbie, and I know it might be a stupid question, but I need an answer for it :P.

Does a trust rod have it's limits?

Further explained: I had my bass set up in the music store, so they adjusted the neck with the trust rod.

Now, imagine that the neck becomes a bit bowed over, let's say, one year. Then I'll have to use the truss rod again.

Is it possible to use the trust rod again and again when needed too? Or is there a certain point in which it becomes impossible to use the truss rod any further?

I hope you get the question, I'm a bit chaotic I guess.

Greetz,
Me

A-Step-Towards · #2 09-25-2011, 01:16 PM

I have Never heard of a trust rod, sounds dirty

**WoodyG3** · #3 09-25-2011, 01:18 PM

A truss rod does have a limit, but usually there would be no reason to have to adjust the truss rod that far. It's not like you should have to adjust further and further over time. It does happen, but only if there is something really wrong with the neck.

Massimo636 · #4 09-25-2011, 01:20 PM

I think the truss rod goes farther and farther down the neck the more you tighten the nut so it must have a point at which it cannot do any more. I think.

JayBassD · #5 09-25-2011, 01:21 PM

What Woody said is spot on, and if you ever have such a problem with a neck a replacement neck is always the best option.

staf Wouters · #6 09-25-2011, 01:29 PM

Okay guys, thank you for the replies. The bass is just new, (well it stood in the store for 6 weeks, but I guess that's no problem, and it needs some nut adjustment as it has fret buzz on D string when it rings after being strung a bit hard), but I just wanted to be sure that it could go at least 3 years.

795€ is not nothing so it better stays alive those years

.
Just wanted to be sure that I don't have to worry about future possible problems too much.

gjbassist · #7 09-25-2011, 01:34 PM

mmbongo · #8 09-25-2011, 01:35 PM

Who's Rod Limit, and why shouldn't we trust him?

gjbassist · #9 09-25-2011, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

Who's Rod Limit, and why shouldn't we trust him?

It's not a person. It's the number of fishing rods a single person can legally put in to one body of water at a given time!
As in "I trust this lake doesn't have a rod limit?".

**Engine207** · #10 09-25-2011, 06:33 PM

I'm sorry, but I just don't truss basses that have trust rods. I'm sure they're fine...but I don't like them.

96tbird · #11 09-25-2011, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayBassD

What Woody said is spot on, and if you ever have such a problem with a neck a replacement neck is always the best option.

Wrong, sorry, just wrong

. The best option is to remove the truss rod adjustment nut and add a washer (or two, three if needed). Viola, more adjustment. Fender even sells them, albeit at a crazy price! Also, the wood at either anchor point of the rod can compress a bit over time and you can run out of room. Manufacturing variances can result in two examples of the same model of bass having different amounts of truss rod nut travel available, let alone brands, QC attention, etc.

In defence of OP, I did this the other day while posting from my DUMBphone and auto spell correct kept putting TRUST in and I didn't check.

staf Wouters · #12 09-26-2011, 09:12 AM

Oh my God I kept saying trust rod x). Well I guess I won't remove the mistake cuz' it's kinda funny? :P Anyways, thanks for the replies.

Down & Outman · #13 09-26-2011, 08:57 PM

Best way to adjust a truss rod is to loosen the strings first. You can actually help it along by pushing down on the neck gently as you adjust it to prevent breaking it. Adjust it a little, say 1/4 turn at a time. Tune it up and check the action, how it plays. If it needs more, do it again. Do a little at a time. Don't rush it. I adjust mine occasionally with the change of seasons.

96tbird · #14 09-26-2011, 09:04 PM

No need to loosen strings. NO luthier does, why should we? Carl Pedigo of Lakland : Lakland Bass Setup With Carl Pedigo (Part 1 of 2) - YouTube TIME 3:40

XOV · #15 10-15-2011, 05:58 PM

I just bought a used Squier Vin-Mod Jazz fretless that has a pretty bowed neck. I heard about the washer trick so I tried it. Evidently it's common for Squier basses (even new ones) to have the truss nut cranked down as far as it will go and still have too much relief. Anyway, I dropped in three small washers under the nut and it still just tightens down until you can't turn it any more, and the neck is still just as bowed. Does anyone have any insight or suggestions?

JLS · #16 10-15-2011, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XOV

I just bought a used Squier Vin-Mod Jazz fretless that has a pretty bowed neck. I heard about the washer trick so I tried it. Evidently it's common for Squier basses (even new ones) to have the truss nut cranked down as far as it will go and still have too much relief. Anyway, I dropped in three small washers under the nut and it still just tightens down until you can't turn it any more, and the neck is still just as bowed. Does anyone have any insight or suggestions?

You need to back clamp this neck into a reverse bow, maybe then you'll be able to straighten it out enough to be playable. Don't make the trussrod do the work of backbowing the neck, let it hold the backbow you've induced by clamping.

miltong565 · #17 10-17-2011, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A-Step-Towards

I have Never heard of a trust rod, sounds dirty

HAHAHA! ROFLMAOSOMSFOAIDMT! but seriously, i have never heard of this, i just know some truss rods are tight to turn, but i never thought it was anything to do with the age of it.