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Crushed wood behind truss rod nut

randbguy

randbguy

Jan 8, 2008
146
4
Rockwood Ontario, Canada
#1
I recently purchased a bass with a fairly high action thinking I could adjust everything to where I wanted it. Turns out the truss rod nut was tightened over a 1/4" into the recess that normally has the truss rod nut flush or just slightly in from flush. I tried some metal spacers but they are compressing the wood further. What I need to do is get a tool like the Stew Mac truss rod repair kit, where you ream the wood and re thread, but I'm not sure that tool will cut in deep enough to get past the compressed wood. What I was thinking was to ream enough to put a 1/4 -3/8" dowel, the right diamiter of hard maple, drilled to the truss rod size and glue that into the recess giving a stronger and properly oriented stoping point for the adjusting nut. I'd have to use a straw or something to prevent glue from sticking to or running down the truss rod channel, but that would work I think if done carefully. What can I use to clean up the recess to provide a good glueing suface? Any other ideas come to mind guys. Thanks in advance!:crying:

John
 
#2
I think a metal spacer would work as well or better than wood. If the wood has compressed as much as you say, I would think you have run out of threads and have no adjustment left. How straight is the neck with the strings removed? Have you tried to put a reverse bow in the neck without strings pressure? What kind of bass are you working with?
Rocky
 
#4
Hi John.

Nope, a short dowel won't help any.

If the wood compresses there's a reason for that. Either the truss rod channel is incorrectly cut (no bow) or the wood has rotted or damaged otherwise (WD40 for example). Either one requires the removal of the fret/finger-board.

Why the secrecy about the make of the bass/neck? That information might help.

Regards
Sam
 
#5
randbguy said:
As mentioned in the initial post the spacers are compressing the wood even further. I believe the solution is to glue in a dowel of much harder wood, the right depth to give a non compressing surface for the truss rod bolt to pull against.
Click to expand...

I had a similar problem with a Guild acoustic guitar. I did something close to what you are proposing and it worked well. I used a fine chisel to excavate the unstable/compressed wood. I was careful to clean up the newly exposed hard wood surfaces so they were flat in preparation for gluing in a piece of hard maple to replace the removed wood and bring the surface meeting the truss rod nut back up to it's original point. I then whittled a piece of hard maple to fit the space, drilled a hole to fit the truss rod through and glued it in. Got a new truss rod nut & washer and installed. Good as new.
 
#9
randbguy said:
I recently purchased a bass with a fairly high action thinking I could adjust everything to where I wanted it. Turns out the truss rod nut was tightened over a 1/4" into the recess that normally has the truss rod nut flush or just slightly in from flush. I tried some metal spacers but they are compressing the wood further. What I need to do is get a tool like the Stew Mac truss rod repair kit, where you ream the wood and re thread, but I'm not sure that tool will cut in deep enough to get past the compressed wood. What I was thinking was to ream enough to put a 1/4 -3/8" dowel, the right diamiter of hard maple, drilled to the truss rod size and glue that into the recess giving a stronger and properly oriented stoping point for the adjusting nut. I'd have to use a straw or something to prevent glue from sticking to or running down the truss rod channel, but that would work I think if done carefully. What can I use to clean up the recess to provide a good glueing suface? Any other ideas come to mind guys. Thanks in advance!:crying:

John
Click to expand...
randbguy said:
I recently purchased a bass with a fairly high action thinking I could adjust everything to where I wanted it. Turns out the truss rod nut was tightened over a 1/4" into the recess that normally has the truss rod nut flush or just slightly in from flush. I tried some metal spacers but they are compressing the wood further. What I need to do is get a tool like the Stew Mac truss rod repair kit, where you ream the wood and re thread, but I'm not sure that tool will cut in deep enough to get past the compressed wood. What I was thinking was to ream enough to put a 1/4 -3/8" dowel, the right diamiter of hard maple, drilled to the truss rod size and glue that into the recess giving a stronger and properly oriented stoping point for the adjusting nut. I'd have to use a straw or something to prevent glue from sticking to or running down the truss rod channel, but that would work I think if done carefully. What can I use to clean up the recess to provide a good glueing suface? Any other ideas come to mind guys. Thanks in advance!:crying:

John
Click to expand...
 
#12
There's a great video somewhere of Dan Earlywine fixing a vintage Les Paul with this exact issue; in the end a metal spacer cut to match the profile of the truss rod opening did the job just great. Because it was wide, it had a much bigger bearing surface, and allowed the truss rod to pull the neck true.

It's certainly worth a shot before you start removing fretboards etc.
 
#13
This problem can be avoided by learning the proper technique for truss rod adjustments.
  1. Use external means - clamps, cauls, etc - to bend the neck in the direction needed.
  2. Snug up the truss rod nut without using excessive force.
  3. Remove the external bending apparatii.
Basically, using the rod to move the neck introduces forces too great for the wood to resist. Move the neck with other means, and then use the rod to hold it there.
 
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