Is it possible (or worth it) to do this?

rhampshire · Post by **rhampshire** » Fri Sep 22, 2000 2:47 pm

Anyone ever install 4003 truss-rods in a 4001?
Would this be a benefit to these older basses?
Just curious...
Rob

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Fri Sep 22, 2000 11:02 pm

FORGET IT!!!!!!!

This is a HUGE job and not for an amateur at all.

The old rods can be made to work.I don't like them but ...they will function.

To change them out is not worth it.there are plenty of tricks to make the old system work better.It may not be stock but from the outside it will appear to be .So big deal and if the snooty don't like it ,they don't have to play it.

So do you want to know how to hot rod your rods to function better?

rhampshire · Post by **rhampshire** » Mon Sep 25, 2000 2:30 pm

Yes Yes! Show me the way kind sir!

Rob

rhampshire · Post by **rhampshire** » Mon Sep 25, 2000 3:02 pm

P.S. This is a refinished '79 4001 I purchased with a broken headstock and no bridge pickup for the low low price of $225. I fixed the headstock and it sounds great but looks bad; ie, its a beater! I'm not worried about keeping it stock; it's gonna see a badass bridge and duncan pickup shortly... Know where I can get a duncan pickup cheap? And I mean CHEAP!

My concerns with the truss rods are as follows:
I had to remove them to fix the headstock break, and I realized that the aluminum "bar" at the headstock end tends to **** sideways when the nuts are tightened (due to the truss rod pushing on one side and not the other). The bar cocks so severely that when the nuts are loosened, the bar does not slide back on its own, I have to "help" it a bit.

I'd like to find a way to make these rods function more smoothly...

Rob

rhampshire · Post by **rhampshire** » Tue Oct 31, 2000 8:59 am

Hello? Mark? Can you tell me the tricks?
: ) Thanks!

rob

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Tue Oct 31, 2000 3:52 pm

Ok ,sorru I was gone for a while ....lots of progects and only me in the shop.

this is what I do to stock 4001 series rods.

1- chase out the threads with a 10/32 tap .If the threads are toasted /history/gone totally screwed up ....then you really need to do this .
2-thread about 1/2" farther than the threads were done originally.
trim off the upper rod section to about 1/4" less .
install a nut on the threaded section and screw it in a ways and cut off 1/4"
This will clean up the end and we can start over.
3-I make a brass or aircraft grade aluminum bar for the rods to pass thru that is double the thickness of the original.this will help to cut down on the curling that takes place under tension.
4- I take a round edged chisel and gouge out under the truss rod nuts .Don't go too deep or you will see something that is NOT nice.

5-I apply Johnsons and Johnsons paste wax to the rods before re installing them.
You can find this is your grocery store/hardware/auto parts (it's the yellow and red tin )
6-reinstall them and torque them up .Put a nice arch in the fretboard.The real trick to these rods is to

BACK THEM OFF TILL CORRECT!!!
Pretty crazy huh?

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Tue Oct 31, 2000 3:56 pm

I have also written some other postings on this subject,check them out .

rhampshire · Post by **rhampshire** » Tue Oct 31, 2000 4:30 pm

>>3-I make a brass or aircraft grade aluminum bar for the rods to pass thru that is double the thickness of the original.this will help to cut down on the curling that takes place under tension. >>

BAM! This is the key to the solution, eh? I thought about making a new bar since the old one is hosed, but I don't know why I didn't think of making it thicker. (I'm an engineer and I'm feeling a bit, well, ... dumb!)

Mark, thank you very much - I will do this very soon.

Rob

Gerry · Post by **Gerry** » Wed Nov 01, 2000 7:52 am

I have retrieved a set of really damaged rods in just this way following Mark's instructions.

A pic of the new bar and rods fitted if you're interested at

http://www.upnaway.com/~gerardf/images/rodsfitted.jpg

It really worked well and I'm really happy.

No doubt about it, Mark knows his stuff.

Gerry

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Wed Nov 01, 2000 8:57 am

ga'day mate.How's yer bass?

Hope all is well in your summer down under

Gerry · Post by **Gerry** » Wed Nov 01, 2000 9:51 am

It's GerDay....Repeat after me GeRRRR Day .lol

Yes it's hotting up.... trussrods have expanded and now have some overbow!!!! You beauty! True, when the warmer weather came in there was a definate change. I'm still experementing with strings and won't settle on a final choice till some others arrive, then I will make final adjustments to the rods(backing off). As for the headstock "problem" I've got around it by carefully winding the A & D right down to the bottom of the peg. It still has temporary plugs in it and from the nut up looks awful as you can see but is playing & sounding GREAT thanks to you.
The cosmetic repairs are moving slowly but they will happen.
When it is done I will post it for all to see.

Gerry
1964 4001S

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Wed Nov 01, 2000 11:17 am

GER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

in the states we have something we say more akin to a dog...........

ggggggggggggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

keep me/us posted as to the rebirth of the headstock

And thanks for the clue as to 'speaking ' Aussie

terry · Post by **terry** » Thu Nov 02, 2000 4:23 am

Mark the MD wrote:

in the states we have something we say more akin to a dog...........

"Ruff!"

"Whaddya say?" "I say, Ruff!"

admin · Post by **admin** » Thu Nov 02, 2000 5:53 am

Terry: Priceless!

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Thu Nov 02, 2000 9:46 am

Do you know any more? owwwwwwwwww!!!!!

Whatta you mean,I've only got ten children!

Quiet now ....quiet!