4003 Trussrod nut sheared off!

chefothefuture · Post by **chefothefuture** » Thu May 04, 2006 5:10 am

Relax!
Walk away for a while; you need a break!
How is the rod stuck?
Maybe you can use a piece of rod stock that is the same thickness, place one end on the end of the offending rod, and tap on the other end of the rod stock with a small hammer to push the rod out....
We're all pulling for ya'

geddeeee · Post by **geddeeee** » Thu May 04, 2006 5:15 am

Tried that. No go. I'm not sure if the truss rod is catching on the inside or what. There is about 3 inches sticking out of the body end. The rest will not budge.
I'm getting Rick withdrawal symptoms which is not helping either!
I've noticed that the masking tape has come off the 3 inches which are showing. Maybe thats why the rod is stuck...
HELP!!!!

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Thu May 04, 2006 7:00 am

The tape may have jammed it up. It will come out though.

geddeeee · Post by **geddeeee** » Thu May 04, 2006 11:01 am

Well thats it! I give in. The truss rod is stuck inside the neck cavity. No amount of hammering or pushing/pulling is shifting it.
I've had enough! I've been at it for hours now, and it 'ain't budging. Tried lubing it back and forth. No joy.
I've been told it's a straightforward job. No it isn't!!!
Anyway, thanks to everyone for their advice. I'll put the Rick in it's case and put it in storage I think, until I can afford the silly prices that UK luthiers charge.
It's a very sad day for me. I'll have to cancel the upcoming gig, cos I got nothing to play....

chefothefuture · Post by **chefothefuture** » Thu May 04, 2006 6:53 pm

What about removing the anchor nut and trying to push at it from the body end?
Maybe the rod bent at the nut end and is hanging up in the channel.

geddeeee · Post by **geddeeee** » Fri May 05, 2006 12:47 am

Thanks. I've tried everything. I've also tried hammering a piece of metal down inside the trussrod cavity to push out the the broken one. This piece of metal is now lodged inside the trussrod cavity too.
That, ladies and gentlemen is the final straw.
I have no interest in carrying on the work.
I've heard that Ricks were fantastic basses. After all the trouble this week I'm not convinced.
I think I may have a problem with the routing inside the neck, but I don't really feel like I want to pursue it. The trussrod metal is a fairly flimsy metal which doesn't give me much confidence in the rest of the bass, since the trussrod is a critical component.
I'll be putting up the bass for sale as is. I don't want to waste any more money on it. For the £1100 I paid for it, I feel the money was not well spent. I waited a long time to get a Rick and after 2 years, the dream is dead.
If anyone wants a 2004 Montezuma Brown 4003 with knackered truss rods, a bit dinged here and there, with vintage tone selector retro-fitted, Let me know.......

geddeeee · Post by **geddeeee** » Sat May 06, 2006 2:47 am

Update: The truss rod is well and truly jammed into the neck cavity. I suspect the end of the rod has mushroomed and is jammed into the wood. I have been quoted £400 to get it fixed as it probably requires the fingerboard removing to get the rod out.
I think RIC make the best guitars you can get but, after this is fixed, its being sold and I won't be getting another. There is too much pain and heratbreak involved. Thats not good for my blood pressure!
Thanks to everyone for their advice, I'll see ya around....

geddeeee · Post by **geddeeee** » Fri May 12, 2006 3:26 pm

Good news: Finally removed the rogue truss rod! Phew!!
Bad news: The masking tape from said truss rod is still inside the rod cavity!! Noooo!!!
Any advice or tips for removing this. It seems to be never ending!
I've got 2 new truss rods sitting there all alone. They keep asking me when they can go home to the Ricks neck.
Please help me find my rods their correct place in life....

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Fri May 12, 2006 3:48 pm

Just a thought....a thin metal coat hanger bent over with a tight hook should do the trick.

geddeeee · Post by **geddeeee** » Fri May 12, 2006 4:05 pm

Thanks Brian. Our guitarist mentioned exactly the same thing!
Great minds think alike eh?

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Fri May 12, 2006 4:11 pm

...but so do wackos!

geddeeee · Post by **geddeeee** » Fri May 12, 2006 4:17 pm

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Fri May 12, 2006 4:21 pm

If your going in through the headstock or body end just make sure to tape the body/headstock off to avoid any damage from the hook slipping.

geddeeee · Post by **geddeeee** » Fri May 12, 2006 4:36 pm

OK. Will do. Thanks for the advice.
I can play the thing and set it up, but I'm hopeless when it comes to any technical stuff.
Thanks again...

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Fri May 12, 2006 5:13 pm

Mark, from what you are posting on this project, and it has turned into quite a project, you can't say you are hopeless when it comes to technical stuff anymore! Think of how great it will feel when you tune it up, adjust the rods, action, and then light into a few licks. Think of how much more you know about your bass and the confidence you'll have to approach any other problem if it crops up in the future. Rock on!