Adjusting a long neglected truss rod

[micximus]

I just picked up an old MIM "Squier Series" J bass. Mid 90s based on the labels, haven't nailed down an exact age yet but that's close enough.

Anyway, the guy never touched the truss rod the entire time he owned it, which was at least 15 years, and there's waaay too much relief. It's going to need a couple of turns I think.

Should I turn it a bit, wait a day, turn some more, etc... or just go for it all at once? It's been kept in a closet, no case, so I'm guessing it's fairly dried out.

And I don't always do this, but I'm thinking it'd be good to slack the strings completely before I make the first couple of turns, no?

Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks!

 

[hotbass57]

Loosen a little on the strings, just to take slack off . I assume you're tightening the neck?? But tighten after you make adjustment. Do no more than a half turn, let that settle. Then finish if you need more in a couple of days. Google Gary Willis Set Up. It's awesome and will help you alot. Good Luck!

 

[Rocky McDougall]

For a nut that has not been touched in 15 years, you must be extra careful because it might have some serious corrosion. I would loosen the strings completely, insert the hex wrench and make sure it is going all the way down in it's socket and is a tight fit. If that part is ok, then slightly turn the truss rod nut counterclockwise (loosening) If it moves freely, remove the nut from the hole. Clean it inside and out as best possible and put a small dab of lubricant (Vaseline is good) inside the nut and reinstall.
If the nut does not turn easily, turn it slightly back and forth (loose then tight) several times until it frees up, then remove, clean and lube.
When reinstalling the nut, tighten it until you can feel a slight resistance, check the neck for straightness. Without string pressure tighten the nut until the neck is straight. Tune the strings to pitch slowly, rechecking the neck several times for straightness and slightly tighten the nut to maintain the neck.straightness as you go along. when finished, your strings should be in tune and the neck straight. Then you can loosen slightly to give a little relief if desired. Read all of the Sticky links on doing a setup.
Caution: Never try to turn a truss nut that is difficult. Find out the problem before breaking the truss rod.
Rocky

 

[micximus]

Thanks guys, this was very helpful. Success, although now I have another problem w/this neck. Started a new thread for that one.

 

[georgestrings]

For a nut that has not been touched in 15 years, you must be extra careful because it might have some serious corrosion. I would loosen the strings completely, insert the hex wrench and make sure it is going all the way down in it's socket and is a tight fit. If that part is ok, then slightly turn the truss rod nut counterclockwise (loosening) If it moves freely, remove the nut from the hole. Clean it inside and out as best possible and put a small dab of lubricant (Vaseline is good) inside the nut and reinstall.
If the nut does not turn easily, turn it slightly back and forth (loose then tight) several times until it frees up, then remove, clean and lube.
When reinstalling the nut, tighten it until you can feel a slight resistance, check the neck for straightness. Without string pressure tighten the nut until the neck is straight. Tune the strings to pitch slowly, rechecking the neck several times for straightness and slightly tighten the nut to maintain the neck.straightness as you go along. when finished, your strings should be in tune and the neck straight. Then you can loosen slightly to give a little relief if desired. Read all of the Sticky links on doing a setup.
Caution: Never try to turn a truss nut that is difficult. Find out the problem before breaking the truss rod.
Rocky

Solid advice, IMO/IME...


- georgestrings

 

[grooveunit]

If the nut is frozen, A drop or two (no more) of penetrating lube such as PB Blaster would be indicated, if you can get it to the threaded part of the nut. The idea is to avoid soaking a bunch of oil into the wood around the nut, while getting some penetrant into the threads. Hopefully you won't need any.