• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Torque'd out truss rod

roccobass

roccobass

Still funkin’ in the free world.
Supporting Member
Jun 25, 2014
10,390
295,322
California
#1
I recently acquired a used fretless Fender and according to my tech during the set up, the truss rod is completely frozen. He can't tighten or loosen it. He says he got the set up ok for now, but if it does go weird on me in the future I might be looking at a new neck.

Any suggestions to loosening the rod? Heat? Cold? Prayers to Buddha? Not worth the trouble?

Also, is it possible (or even worth it) to transplant a fingerboard? I kind of like the rosewood one that's on it. Yea or nay?

Thanks in advance for any constructive advice!
 
Last edited:
#3
Hmm. I have one of the bass when I purchased it, but none of the rod opening itself. Not sure as to type of truss rod. I left a text to my tech about this. It’s a ‘’93” MIJ fretless Jazz if that’ll help.
 
#7
I don’t know if it’s either hex or +. This thing has been in the shop most of the time I’ve owned it. It went in pretty much as soon as I got it.

In answer to your suggestion to take it to another tech, this is my second one. First tech discovered same problem with the truss rod, but offered no solutions. He and I didn’t hit it off so I moved on. Both techs have been around for a number of years.

I know I’m going to see second tech on Friday, I’ll know more then. Along with my initial questions on my original post, you’ve given me info to ask him questions. Thank you.:)
 
Last edited:
#8
roccobass said:
I don’t know if it’s either hex or +. This thing has been in the shop most of the time I’ve owned it. It went in pretty much as soon as I got it.

In answer to your suggestion to take it to another tech, this is my second one. First tech discovered same problem with the truss rod, but offered no solutions. He and I didn’t hit it off so I moved on. Both techs have been around for a number of years.

I know I’m going to see second tech on Friday, I’ll know more then. Along with my initial questions on my original post, you’ve given me info to ask him questions. Thank you.:)
Click to expand...

Where are you located? Maybe we can suggest a tech with some level of competency...appears you're -0- for 2. Do you possess a modicum of mechanical skill?

Riis
 
  • Like
Reactions: roccobass
#9
roccobass said:
I recently acquired a used fretless Fender and according to my tech during the set up, the truss rod is completely frozen. He can't tighten or loosen it. He says he got the set up ok for now, but if it does go weird on me in the future I might be looking at a new neck.

Any suggestions to loosening the rod? Heat? Cold? Prayers to Buddha? Not worth the trouble?

Also, is it possible (or even worth it) to transplant a fingerboard? I kind of like the rosewood one that's on it. Yea or nay?

Thanks in advance for any constructive advice!
Click to expand...

Just for your reference, here's a thread I wrote a year ago, showing the whole process of replacing the truss rod in a Fender Skunk Stripe-style neck. This was a rare Japanese Fender Lyte P-Bass. It was a headstock-access truss rod, but the process is about the same for a heel-access truss rod like yours. The point is that this is how the truss rod can be replaced from the back of the neck, without harming the fingerboard or the frets.

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/ne...nder-skunk-stripe-neck.1572369/#post-26690820

This is the worst-case solution, if your truss rod is hopelessly frozen up or snapped off. It's not that difficult or expensive to replace a Fender truss rod by pulling it out through the skunk stripe. I'll refer you to someone if you get to that point.

To free up a frozen Fender truss rod nut, I suggest taking the neck off the instrument. Stand it up vertically, heel end up, and clamp it like that against a bench or table. Put a single drop of a good prenetrating oil in the hole in the truss rod nut. Not WD-40, use Liquid Wrench or Kroil (my favorite). Just a drop, don't spray it in there. Let it sit like that overnight, to soak into the threads. Then put a good wrench on it and see if you can break it loose. It usually works.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WRM, RSBBass, 202dy and 2 others
#10
Zooberwerx said:
Where are you located? Maybe we can suggest a tech with some level of competency...appears you're -0- for 2. Do you possess a modicum of mechanical skill?

Riis
Click to expand...
I’m in Northern California. I definitely have minimal mechanical skills. I can do basic set up, that’s about it.

My current tech left a text suggesting using heat as a possible solution, but stated he himself has not done this process. I liked this guy because he had worked on previous basses of mine with no problems (granted, none this problematic) and did good and he was bassist himself, so communicating my wants and concerns were much better than with the first guy.

However, I am open to any suggestions of additional techs, just in case. Thanks.
 
Last edited:
#11
Bruce Johnson said:
Just for your reference, here's a thread I wrote a year ago, showing the whole process of replacing the truss rod in a Fender Skunk Stripe-style neck. This was a rare Japanese Fender Lyte P-Bass. It was a headstock-access truss rod, but the process is about the same for a heel-access truss rod like yours. The point is that this is how the truss rod can be replaced from the back of the neck, without harming the fingerboard or the frets.

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/ne...nder-skunk-stripe-neck.1572369/#post-26690820

This is the worst-case solution, if your truss rod is hopelessly frozen up or snapped off. It's not that difficult or expensive to replace a Fender truss rod by pulling it out through the skunk stripe. I'll refer you to someone if you get to that point.

To free up a frozen Fender truss rod nut, I suggest taking the neck off the instrument. Stand it up vertically, heel end up, and clamp it like that against a bench or table. Put a single drop of a good prenetrating oil in the hole in the truss rod nut. Not WD-40, use Liquid Wrench or Kroil (my favorite). Just a drop, don't spray it in there. Let it sit like that overnight, to soak into the threads. Then put a good wrench on it and see if you can break it loose. It usually works.
Click to expand...
Wow! This is great info. Thanks! ;)
However, being the mechanical Waldo I am, I’m going to search for someone who’s done this before. But this is a good educational process for me and now I can better formulate my questions to once I obtain one.

I’m supposed to see him tomorrow and then I’ll know more. Thanks again.
 
#12
roccobass said:
I’m in Northern California. I definitely have minimal mechanical skills. I can do basic set up, that’s about it.

My current tech left a text suggesting using heat as a possible solution, but stated he himself has not done this process. I liked this guy because he had worked on previous basses of mine with no problems (granted, none this problematic) and did good and he was bassist himself, so communicating my wants and concerns were much better than with the first guy.

However, I am open to any suggestions of additional techs, just in case. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I’ll assume you can at least get the neck off the bass and follow @Bruce Johnson ’s suggestions?

Riis
 
#14
roccobass said:
My current tech left a text suggesting using heat as a possible solution, but stated he himself has not done this process.
Click to expand...
assuming it’s like most MIJ fenders with a traditional truss rod nut that comes out if you unscrew it it’s quite simple, you’re just holding a hot soldering iron against the nut for a while to heat it up and possibly dislodge whatever glue or gunk that is making it stick

if some genius decided that putting loctite on the threads was the way to keep the neck from moving then heat is the way to dislodge it
 
  • Like
Reactions: roccobass and Zooberwerx

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back