Truss rod problem?

boston asphalt2

Official Forum Pain in the Ass
Moderator
Joined
Jul 10, 2006
Messages
2,366
Reaction score
197
So I just picked up a 1990 Thumb NT5 Fretless today. I noticed when I got home a buzzing/rattling noise from the bass when playing. I didn't notice it when I played it a week ago. I looked at the fret board and t is sitting perfect. I don't see any string buzzing when I Play, but this buzz/rattle hits on almost every note.

I decided to knock on the back of the neck, and when I did this, I heard the buzz/rattle and sounds like it is coming from the truss rod. Is the a sign of a busted truss rod? I see that since t is a 1990 bass, it has the removable truss rof, so repair shouldn't be that bad to do, but I wanted advice before I start a wild goose chase hunting down the problem.
 
SHould be an easy fix mate. Most likely what you have there is a perfect neck! When the neck sits right without any need of pressure from the rod the rod can be set so it is dead straight. A straight rod in a straight channel has nothing holding it steady (think of a toothpick in a straw). What you need to do is apply the slightest amount of pressure to the rod so it curves enough to brace itself against the neck without applying so much pressure that it bends the neck. Get the tool in there and turn untill you feel the start of resistance and the rattle should be history.
Hopefully thats the prob, its very common, happened to me with my spektor and drove me nuts for a few days trying to find where the rattle was, till i found the truss rod had zero tension on it. Good luck!
 
Additional: the reason this prob can come and go is that the neck moves around with temp/humidity changes. So sometimes the neck is pressing on the rod and as it shifts it removes that pressure. Your case is very similar to what happened to me, it was probably fine with its previous owner, but the different conditions in your bass-stable have moved the neck ever so slightly.
 
Additional: the reason this prob can come and go is that the neck moves around with temp/humidity changes. So sometimes the neck is pressing on the rod and as it shifts it removes that pressure. Your case is very similar to what happened to me, it was probably fine with its previous owner, but the different conditions in your bass-stable have moved the neck ever so slightly.

How did you fix it in the end??
 
Ne'er mind, I canna read tonight lol
 
As Augie said, please check that the trussrod is not loose.
 
rattle with every note? this sounds like a loose tuner to me.... check them out first!
 
I had the same issue with my 90's SS2. Someone here told me that since it was 90's Warwick, that I might have the 2 way truss rod. That meant that the loose point was simply the "middle" between bow and relief and that either way I turned it, it tightened up again. This worked for me and I hope it helps you.
 
So, Ive made some progress over here: I found that the truss rod itself had slid up the neck a tad, and after sliding back to where it should be, the buzz went away.

However, I also found that I cannot turn the truss rod any further counter clockwise than it has already gone. I can turn it clockwise just fine. I think I may replace the truss rod to sort it out properly, but thankfully the bass is set up well for the moment!
 
afaik

there is no direct replacement for this kind of trussrod available

2 way is slightly to big

but if it is set up fine ....

don't fix what ain't broken ;-)
 
afaik

there is no direct replacement for this kind of trussrod available

2 way is slightly to big

but if it is set up fine ....

don't fix what ain't broken ;-)

There sure is a replacement for that truss rod, look at the online store and read the threads on truss rods
 
well the 2 way does not fit - if the steel one fits you are fine:-)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
But you may experience neckdive if you use one of those.
 
There is the one way iron truss rod in the shop there. Should do the trick.
 
Back
Top