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Truss Rod Nut

Discussion in 'Hardware, Setup & Repair [BG]' started by ThomasTronics, Jun 14, 2020.

  1. Jun 14, 2020 #1
    ThomasTronics

    ThomasTronics Supporting Member

    Nov 21, 2011
    Windsor
    I was playing my american Jazz bass and notice awful fret buzz above the 12th fret.
    So I bring it to the bench for a setup and I stick my Truss tool in and notice the Nut for the truss rod is completely loose. I mean I put it in and it has zero tension. It didn't even have a back bow so I didn't feel the need to touch the rod.

    Has anyone else ever experienced this where the nut on the truss has all of a sudden lost all tension has pretty much loosed itself?

    Is this a sign of a bad problem or just from a year or so playing it just loosened itself?

    I did but new lighter gauge strings on it about 2 months ago but there was no change int he neck curve so I didn't feel the need to adjust the neck.
     
  2. Jun 15, 2020 #2
    Turnaround

    Turnaround Commercial User

    May 6, 2004
    Toronto Canada
    Independent Instrument Technician - Retired
    Not a problem if the relief is right. But I would snug up that truss rod nut to the point where it is just beyond finger tight to keep the truss rod and the nut from rattling.

    The nut hasn't loosened itself. When the neck relaxed with less string tension and with the higher humidity at this time of year, it took the tension off the truss rod to the point where the nut was loose. It can happen and it's nothing to be concerned about.

    But I must ask why you would be looking to adjust the truss rod when the problem was above the 12th fret. The truss rod doesn't do anything up there - that's the realm of the saddle adjustment.
     
  3. Jun 15, 2020 #3
    Arie X

    Arie X

    Oct 19, 2015
    as he says ^

    imo, a good reason to use a belleville washer under the nut.
     
  4. Jun 15, 2020 #4
    ThomasTronics

    ThomasTronics Supporting Member

    Nov 21, 2011
    Windsor
    It was just a force of habit. Cleaned everything and I usually just give the Truss a nice like pinch to tighten it and that's how I noticed it was loose.

    Thanks for letting me know. I'll not fret about it anymore :drool:
     
  5. Jun 16, 2020 #5
    Turnaround

    Turnaround Commercial User

    May 6, 2004
    Toronto Canada
    Independent Instrument Technician - Retired
    Don't fret. Don't drive yourself nuts. You wouldn't want to screw anything up. This thread will not lead you astray. Breath a sigh of relief. etc. etc.