Bad Truss Rod - Fender 5 String Jazz MIM

[Marcs653]

Hi Everyone,
I have a 1997 5 String Fender Jazz MIM. I was just told by a Luthier that the truss rod is bad and he suggests a new neck. Would love to get some guidance/feedback on my options from fellow bass players. The first I'll say is that I have 5 different basses, so this bass isn't critical to my collection. Having said that, I do want a 5 String Fender Jazz for my collection and to gig with.

Here are my options from what I can see:

1.) Get a New Neck:
Pros
- Fixes the problem with relative ease.
Cons
- Hard to find a good 5 String Fender Neck that is affordable.

2.) Fix the Neck:
Pros
- Fixes the problem and I keep the original neck.
Cons
- Seems cost prohibited. Fretboard has to be taken off.

3.) Sell the Bass for Parts:
Pros
- Gets rid of the problem.
Cons
- I would lose money and would need buy another one.

Questions/Feedback Request
- Anybody have suggestions on where to find a neck?

- Can I put another (more affordable) brand's neck on it? Make it a Frankenstein?

- I have researched how to take off the fretboard myself, but I received stern warnings from fellow musicians that I will F*** it up. If the neck is a throw away, why not take off the fretboard myself, then give it to the Luthier to finish?

Thanks so much!
Marc

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Warmoth

 

[96tbird]

Get a second opinion.

What does “truss rod is bad” even mean?

It’s either broken or it’s not.

Maybe it just needs a washer or two under the truss nut and good to go.

“Truss rod is bad”. Give me break, and give me a few details Mr. “Tech”.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Get a second opinion.

What does “truss rod is bad” even mean?

It’s either broken or it’s not.

Maybe it just needs a washer or two under the truss nut and good to go.

“Truss rod is bad”. Give me break, and give me a few details Mr. “Tech”.

Yep...what's wrong with the neck? We don't trust anybody anymore...we're that jaded.

Riis

 

[Marcs653]

Yep...what's wrong with the neck? We don't trust anybody anymore...we're that jaded.

Riis

Thanks. The Luthier said the trust rod isn't turning anymore. He thinks its broke. Second opinion may be in order.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Thanks. The Luthier said the trust rod isn't turning anymore. He thinks its broke. Second opinion may be in order.

Where are you located? How's the relief currently?

Riis

 

[Marcs653]

I am located in DC. The neck def curved with bad action and dead spots.

Thanks
Marc

 

[Zooberwerx]

I am located in DC. The neck def curved with bad action and dead spots.

Thanks
Marc

You should have any number of top-flight techs within driving distance...I can't name one.

Riis

 

[OldSchoolFlats]

I would start with financial constraints. If affordable, I would get a new neck: from Fender.

A neck from somewhere else, and you now have a "parts bass". Parts basses can be great, but it affects resale.

I just play for fun, but I would love to have a Fender with a good neck. I couldn't afford anything but a low-end Fender when I was in the market, and until this week, I did not know how to do my own fretwork. With a low-end Fender, I was worried about fretbuzz.

Naturally, I defer to the luthiers here re: the repair and sell options...

BTW, I would be worried about replacing the neck myself. I would assume getting the neck on straight could be an issue, even without the nuances of getting a neck that PRECISELY fits your neck-pocket. I have see even factory-built basses where the strings were too far to one side or the other of the neck.

 

[Turnaround]

If the truss rod is “broke” it will turn unrestrictedly without any effect. If the nut won’t turn any further, it’s not broke, it just ran out of threads . A washer or two will fix that.
Time for a second opinion.

 

[OldSchoolFlats]

If the truss rod is “broke” it will turn unrestrictedly without any effect. If the nut won’t turn any further, it’s not broke, it just ran out of threads . A washer or two will fix that.
Time for a second opinion.

If the neck is badly bowed, I just hope the luthier didn't "torque" the rod, without clamping the neck first. At least according to Dan from StewMac, that rod sometimes needs a little lovin' (I am paraphrasing).



Disclaimer: Unlike Turnaround, I am not a luthier.

 

[Lownote38]

The MIM 5 string Jazz Basses have a HUGE problem with the truss rod nut/truss rod in my experience. I've seen more necks with issues on these basses than any other Fender bass. The biggest issue is that the truss rod nut is made of pot metal. They strip out, crack, and even break into pieces when tightened. The second issue seems to be that the entire neck design makes it so the truss rod isn't hefty enough to counteract the string tension. That makes people over tighten the rod to no avail, and the bow in the neck remains. So, the truss rod gets tightened even more, and either the nut breaks, or strips, and/or a crack develops in the fret board just past the nut. My advice is to not try to repair your neck. It's not worth it. I also wouldn't replace it with another Fender neck, as it will have a chance of developing the same problem. Go with a Warmoth if you want to keep that bass.

 

[Marcs653]

Thanks everyone!! Great insight. I had a second opinion with a very reputable luthier. He confirmed that I need a new neck. Finding a neck that is affordable is next to impossible. Another question: Does anybody know if a
5- string Squire Jazz bass neck will fit on a MIM 5 string Jazz body? Would save lots of money.

 

[fhm555]

If I didn’t want to put the cost of a good new neck into it, i’d part out the useable stuff and put that and the price of a good replacement neck on a new bass.

 

[Marcs653]

If I didn’t want to put the cost of a good new neck into it, i’d part out the useable stuff and put that and the price of a good replacement neck on a new bass.

Yea, that will probably what happens. thanks!

 

[bobdabilder]

Yes it should fit. Make sure they have the same number of frets and ask for neck heel width measurement to compare.

Thanks everyone!! Great insight. I had a second opinion with a very reputable luthier. He confirmed that I need a new neck. Finding a neck that is affordable is next to impossible. Another question: Does anybody know if a
5- string Squire Jazz bass neck will fit on a MIM 5 string Jazz body? Would save lots of money.