Help Diagnosing Heel Truss Rod Issue

[cashmoneywill]

Hey all, hoping for some help as I am a bit lost on how to feel about a potential bass I'm looking at.
Noticed the truss rod (heel adjust) was sticking out a bit in pictures, and the seller was kind enough to pop the neck off. It seems the truss was almost fully loosened. When you tighten it from that point, it spins a bit too easily until it stops sticking out and then "catches" and tightens normally with the right amount of resistance.

Attached are photos.

This is where it seems to be too loose as it spins freely.

Above is whereabouts it "catches" and tightens normally.

How much of a problem do you think this is? Neck is straight as an arrow now, would there be a situation where I'd need to loosen it further and I'd be out of luck?

For context, the bass is a 1978 Fender Musicmaster.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Hey all, hoping for some help as I am a bit lost on how to feel about a potential bass I'm looking at.
Noticed the truss rod (heel adjust) was sticking out a bit in pictures, and the seller was kind enough to pop the neck off. It seems the truss was almost fully loosened. When you tighten it from that point, it spins a bit too easily until it stops sticking out and then "catches" and tightens normally with the right amount of resistance.

Attached are photos.
View attachment 5149863
View attachment 5149867
This is where it seems to be too loose as it spins freely.
View attachment 5149868
Above is whereabouts it "catches" and tightens normally.

How much of a problem do you think this is? Neck is straight as an arrow now, would there be a situation where I'd need to loosen it further and I'd be out of luck?

For context, the bass is a 1978 Fender Musicmaster.

That sounds like normal behavior for a Fender truss rod that's been loosened all the way. If the neck pulls into a small amount of relief when the strings are on and up to tune, then the neck is good to go. I don't see a problem.

If you do get the bass, I recommend lightly snugging down the truss rod while you do the setup. Don't leave it loose. That can lead to stability problems.

 

[cashmoneywill]

That sounds like normal behavior for a Fender truss rod that's been loosened all the way. If the neck pulls into a small amount of relief when the strings are on and up to tune, then the neck is good to go. I don't see a problem.

If you do get the bass, I recommend lightly snugging down the truss rod while you do the setup. Don't leave it loose. That can lead to stability problems.

Awesome. Thank you Bruce! Will do as far as tightening the rod a bit.