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Clicking Truss Rod Noise?

D

DWYam

Sep 27, 2019
12
3
#1
Hi all, I just joined TalkBass so this is my first question post. :)

I've had a Yamaha RBX170 for about 10 years, never really got round to leaning to play. I'm a drummer really! Anyway, started getting lessons now.

From when I got the bass new, it always seemed to have problems with the E string.
Buzzing and slap bass type sound. I just presumed it was my playing technique.
String seeved very low so tried to raise the action ever so slightly but the truss rod wouldn't move in any direction.

As I was buying a gig bag I took bass into a guitar shop and the assistant said if not used for that long it could be seized and just need a good amount of push to get it moving. Which he did and it moved with very odd noises. The action seemed fine though but when home it still has the string buzz and string clanking sound when strumming or using a pick.
I tried to loosen the rod again but it seemed seized and needed another big push to move.
When it does move, there is a loud 'clicking' at the head, below the nut, in the neck. Sounds like something is sticking there too, like metal is trying to turn in wood but is far too tight.
The truss rod adjuster where the Allen key goes in is against the wood at the bottom edge also.
I loosened the strings so there is no tension on the neck but now the nut has started to come off!

Does it sound like the neck is maybe bent or the truss rod?

Many thanks
Dave
 
#2
You shouldn't be adjusting the truss rod to change the string height - it's for adjusting the amount of relief in the neck. You should be adjusting string height at the bridge.

With respect to the noise when adjusting the truss rod - I would not be too concerned. Sometimes they make creaking and snapping sounds. Sometimes a bit of lubricant on the threads of the truss rod nut will eliminate that - not always though.
 
#3
Turnaround said:
You shouldn't be adjusting the truss rod to change the string height - it's for adjusting the amount of relief in the neck. You should be adjusting string height at the bridge.

With respect to the noise when adjusting the truss rod - I would not be too concerned. Sometimes they make creaking and snapping sounds. Sometimes a bit of lubricant on the threads of the truss rod nut will eliminate that - not always though.
Click to expand...

Thanks.

Yes, sorry, should have said that the neck seemed too flat after doing a few measurements I’d seen on here.

What would cause the nut to detach?

What lubricant would be best on the threads?
 
Last edited:
#12
Just so that I'm not making a rookie mistake, in pic 1, I have the nut correctly identified?
Also, I pushed it further in towards the fretboard but there is still a small gap showing. It was a good 2mm gap before.

In pic 2, I've marked where the Truss Rod Nut is tight against the wood. Seems there has been some splintered wood as well. Not by me I hasten to add. ;)
Truss Rod nut is at bottom of neck, not in Headstock and buzzing on E string mostly from fret 9 upwards towards the body.

Pic 1.JPG
Pic 2.JPG
 
#13
A truss rod adjustment won't fix fret buzz problems up there - it's only good for the first few frets, up to about fret 4 or 5. To reduce fret buzz at the 9th fret upward you need to raise the bridge saddles.
 
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#14
Took your advice and not going to touch the Truss Rod at all now.
Just wondered if the Rod nut should be wedged tight against the wood underneath it and if that was what made it so difficult to turn?
 

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