My 69 4001 needs the rods re-arched

86kubicki · Post by **86kubicki** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 5:17 am

Try something with a .095 E string. Although it seems that some necks can take the stress from a set with a standard .105 E string, it does seem to vary from instrument to instrument. I have a '78 4001 that gets a bit cranky with anything higher than .095 .

chefothefuture · Post by **chefothefuture** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 6:26 am

Ken-
Did you check the fit of the rods?
It's pretty critical that they're fairly snug against
the top and bottom of the channel.
If the fit is loose even a slight amount, the rods will
separate and not work.
Replacing the active portion of the rod with a heavier
stock works in the most extreme cases.

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 6:32 am

The Rods seemed pretty flimsy I thought,when I pulled them out they were straight,I bent them really easily so when I put them in I would not be surprised if they straightened out again.

A heavier Rod would most definitely help.

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 6:34 am

I hate to say It but, What a stupid design!!!

wints · Post by **wints** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 6:54 am

I have to say that from my experience the 60's basses really don't like anything more than a .095.

For me, with a light playing style and low action, means that anything more is too much of a compromise.

The rod design along with the delicate necks practically makes this choice for you....

chefothefuture · Post by **chefothefuture** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 10:04 am

The design is actually sound IF the right procedures are followed. But like any fine racing machine, it requires
patience and tinkering( said by a Jaguar enthusiast...)
In fact, the New design when used in the 12 strings has
been ugly in my part of the world- the wood compresses
at the heal end and the neck never stays adjusted. My 97
381/12 had the nuts come out the other side!

For strings, I use Blue Steel 45-100 with no trouble at all.
They seem to have a lower tension the regular nickel or
stainless(rebar has less tension the regular stainless...).

headbanger · Post by **headbanger** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 3:22 am

This arching of the rods is pointless because of how you must bend them to get them back in. This defeats the purpose. The best bet for more backpressure is a thicker bar that won't bend the threaded rod so much.
The two centre strings are the highest tension so try a 55 and a 70 if you can bear it. New Rics come with a 55 but not the 70. On the 1999 I use nickel 45 55 70 95, a hand picked set. I did try 35/40 for the G & 90 for E but they were just too light.
JH mentioned somewhere that chromes are are the least tension followed by nickel. I chose the nickel for fret life reasons.

Ken, with the strings off & the rods undone is the neck straight or does it have a forward bow?

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 5:32 am

With the strings off the neck is staight!

headbanger · Post by **headbanger** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 6:23 am

With the rods undone?

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 6:49 am

Dont know! need to check that one.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 8:05 am

FWIW, I've found that with the strings OFF on my older basses ('72s) a ever-so-slight back bow has been beneficial to the action. I use pretty light strings on all of them, .040-.095 with no issues.

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 1:13 pm

I just ordered some Rotos[35-85]and some elixirs[40-95]I'm going to do some experimenting.

rhampshire · Post by **rhampshire** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 11:13 am

My '72JG is marginal with stainless .105's, but I tune D-G-C-F...

dale_fortune · Post by **dale_fortune** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 8:58 pm

In a few days I will do a step by step explanation with digi pix on how to remove/rethread/arc/reinstall and set up your truss rods and adjust them for maximum stability. I will show various things I have learned over the years that helps the truss rods to work to their optimum performance.

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 10:29 pm

Cool!!We all need to take note.