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Trust rod limit?

staf Wouters

staf Wouters

Jan 18, 2011
76
5
Belgium
linktr.ee
#1
Hello folks,

I'm a newbie, and I know it might be a stupid question, but I need an answer for it :P.

Does a trust rod have it's limits?

Further explained: I had my bass set up in the music store, so they adjusted the neck with the trust rod.

Now, imagine that the neck becomes a bit bowed over, let's say, one year. Then I'll have to use the truss rod again.

Is it possible to use the trust rod again and again when needed too? Or is there a certain point in which it becomes impossible to use the truss rod any further?

I hope you get the question, I'm a bit chaotic I guess.

Greetz,
Me :hiding:
 
#6
Okay guys, thank you for the replies. The bass is just new, (well it stood in the store for 6 weeks, but I guess that's no problem, and it needs some nut adjustment as it has fret buzz on D string when it rings after being strung a bit hard), but I just wanted to be sure that it could go at least 3 years.

795€ is not nothing so it better stays alive those years :p.
Just wanted to be sure that I don't have to worry about future possible problems too much.
 
#7
in_rod_we_trust_tshirt-p235392960725818323yx7i_400.jpg
:D
 
#11
JayBassD said:
What Woody said is spot on, and if you ever have such a problem with a neck a replacement neck is always the best option.
Click to expand...

Wrong, sorry, just wrong :). The best option is to remove the truss rod adjustment nut and add a washer (or two, three if needed). Viola, more adjustment. Fender even sells them, albeit at a crazy price! Also, the wood at either anchor point of the rod can compress a bit over time and you can run out of room. Manufacturing variances can result in two examples of the same model of bass having different amounts of truss rod nut travel available, let alone brands, QC attention, etc.

In defence of OP, I did this the other day while posting from my DUMBphone and auto spell correct kept putting TRUST in and I didn't check. :scowl:
 
#13
Best way to adjust a truss rod is to loosen the strings first. You can actually help it along by pushing down on the neck gently as you adjust it to prevent breaking it. Adjust it a little, say 1/4 turn at a time. Tune it up and check the action, how it plays. If it needs more, do it again. Do a little at a time. Don't rush it. I adjust mine occasionally with the change of seasons.
 
#15
I just bought a used Squier Vin-Mod Jazz fretless that has a pretty bowed neck. I heard about the washer trick so I tried it. Evidently it's common for Squier basses (even new ones) to have the truss nut cranked down as far as it will go and still have too much relief. Anyway, I dropped in three small washers under the nut and it still just tightens down until you can't turn it any more, and the neck is still just as bowed. Does anyone have any insight or suggestions?
 
#16
XOV said:
I just bought a used Squier Vin-Mod Jazz fretless that has a pretty bowed neck. I heard about the washer trick so I tried it. Evidently it's common for Squier basses (even new ones) to have the truss nut cranked down as far as it will go and still have too much relief. Anyway, I dropped in three small washers under the nut and it still just tightens down until you can't turn it any more, and the neck is still just as bowed. Does anyone have any insight or suggestions?
Click to expand...

You need to back clamp this neck into a reverse bow, maybe then you'll be able to straighten it out enough to be playable. Don't make the trussrod do the work of backbowing the neck, let it hold the backbow you've induced by clamping.
 

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