I tweaked the 'G' side truss rod. Everything was OK. Neck was nice and flat. When I was playing, the bass suddenly went out of tune. I noticed that there was bow in the neck. Off came the TRC and the nut had snapped off. That was just the start of my problems. Hopefully with the new rods in, I won't get any more problems. Fingers crossed!!!!
I don't know if anyone has any ideas why it might have snapped?
I would be grateful for any info, so it doesn't happen again.
4003 Trussrod nut sheared off!
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
That would be my question. I am wondering why the rod broke in the first place. How much rod was present beyond the adjusters?
Jack Hering's E side rod had run all the way to the bottom of the threads because the wood at the body end of the rod had been compressed from over-tightening. The reason the rod had to be over-tightened is a story I will leave for Jack to tell. It ain't pretty but is has a happy ending.
Jack Hering's E side rod had run all the way to the bottom of the threads because the wood at the body end of the rod had been compressed from over-tightening. The reason the rod had to be over-tightened is a story I will leave for Jack to tell. It ain't pretty but is has a happy ending.
I have had problems with the neck. I suspect it is one of the basses that crept under the radar. Considering I bought it brand new, I think the neck was not perfect.
Would adding another washer to the adjustment end, at the headstock, stop me running out of thread, if that was the case?
Would adding another washer to the adjustment end, at the headstock, stop me running out of thread, if that was the case?
What d'ya mean... the bass is TOO loud!
I would have thought the cause to be abuse from previous uninformed owners, but since you bought it new, that rules that out.
Perhaps simple metal fatigue after years of tension. Sometimes a weak spot can go unnoticed when the metal is new & the problems don't become apparent for years. A slow deterioration until one day...snap!
All the stories of rod failure I've read have been due to overtightening.
Perhaps simple metal fatigue after years of tension. Sometimes a weak spot can go unnoticed when the metal is new & the problems don't become apparent for years. A slow deterioration until one day...snap!
All the stories of rod failure I've read have been due to overtightening.
Plus five minus five!
Now I don't mean that as a knock. I hope no one takes it that way. Defects are a reality in any process. Jack is not the original owner so the bass is out of warranty. If we talk about problems like that here we can hopefully help players who feel he/she has a hopelessly damaged instrument. Through no fault of handling or abuse, the action on Jack's bass was nearly 1/4" at the 7th fret. He was not a happy camper.
Mine was nowhere near that bad, just a real pain to get the neck flat. I did eventually get it there, but the adjustments seemed to take an age.
I'm a bit worried about putting in the new rods. I don't want to try getting the neck flat again, then the nut shearing. I don't think my sanity can stand it.
Any suggestions?
I'm a bit worried about putting in the new rods. I don't want to try getting the neck flat again, then the nut shearing. I don't think my sanity can stand it.
Any suggestions?
What d'ya mean... the bass is TOO loud!
Looks like this wasn't the simple problem I thought. I'll have to seriously think about getting rid of it then.
As I've said before, I don't have much faith in RIC. I don't want to get another Rick and then find I've got other problems to contend with.
I mean, a brand new bass with neck problems! Sheesh!! Neck looked perfect when I bought it.
As I've said before, I don't have much faith in RIC. I don't want to get another Rick and then find I've got other problems to contend with.
I mean, a brand new bass with neck problems! Sheesh!! Neck looked perfect when I bought it.
What d'ya mean... the bass is TOO loud!
No, its not still under warranty. I bought it in 2004. It's an '04 model Monty Brown.
I'll replace the truss rods and see what happens. It could have been down to the truss rods originally. The slight problem with the neck didn't stop it playing well and the intonation was good. I had one dead spot on the D string 10th fret. It just took a while for the neck to settle.
I play quite agressively, so having the action really low is not something I have to worry about.
One question though, could I add a couple of washers to the adjustment end of the rod, just in case I run out of thread.
Mark Arnquist mentioned to me that Rick truss rods don't have not enough thread anyway. It's one thing he does with Ricks is to add another half inch of thread.
I don't know. I can do minor adjustments and setup, but this is all new to me.
I'll replace the truss rods and see what happens. It could have been down to the truss rods originally. The slight problem with the neck didn't stop it playing well and the intonation was good. I had one dead spot on the D string 10th fret. It just took a while for the neck to settle.
I play quite agressively, so having the action really low is not something I have to worry about.
One question though, could I add a couple of washers to the adjustment end of the rod, just in case I run out of thread.
Mark Arnquist mentioned to me that Rick truss rods don't have not enough thread anyway. It's one thing he does with Ricks is to add another half inch of thread.
I don't know. I can do minor adjustments and setup, but this is all new to me.
What d'ya mean... the bass is TOO loud!
A halfway descent fret man (or woman) could probably get you set up pretty quickly then.
As for the rods, you could run an 8-32 die up the rod to extend the threads as Mark Arnquist does. That is one approach. A washer or two would work as well. Usually if you reach the bottom of the threads though there has been some compression of the wood at the body end of the neck. In that case, I have made wooden plugs out of 3/8" dowel with the center drilled out to accept the rod. I press them into the body end and let the rods seat them with a touch of wood glue to firm the up.
As for the rods, you could run an 8-32 die up the rod to extend the threads as Mark Arnquist does. That is one approach. A washer or two would work as well. Usually if you reach the bottom of the threads though there has been some compression of the wood at the body end of the neck. In that case, I have made wooden plugs out of 3/8" dowel with the center drilled out to accept the rod. I press them into the body end and let the rods seat them with a touch of wood glue to firm the up.
When I bought my bass from Ebay, the action came setup relatively high with Boomers on it. I had no basis for comparison, so I thought that's just the way it is. There was also a fair amount of relief in the neck, but it was playable. I had tried several different types of strings over a years time, but didn't adjust the rods at those times, being inexperienced at such. I had a guitar tech set up my bass at a decent shop, and he suggested I use 45-95 Foderas. The action at that time was ok. After reading so much here about self setups, I figured I'd try adjusting the rods, equipt with all the necessary tools to do so. Quarter and half turns of the E string side truss rod seldom did much, and I always had to turn until it felt like it didn't want to turn anymore, like I had hit bottom of the threads (little did I know, I had).
One fine evening, after the bass had been in it's case for most of the winter (I had aquired a Jazz bass, so I spent some time with that), I took out the Ric, and found it with ¼" of relief, the highest it had ever been. After about a half turn of the E string side rod, the truss rod nut popped off. I was also in disbelief for a few seconds. I remembered reading that Ric truss rods were easy to replace. Then I thought better of it, and e-mailed Ted. I'm very glad I did, because there was more involved than just replacing the rod. Ted can tell you all about that.
One fine evening, after the bass had been in it's case for most of the winter (I had aquired a Jazz bass, so I spent some time with that), I took out the Ric, and found it with ¼" of relief, the highest it had ever been. After about a half turn of the E string side rod, the truss rod nut popped off. I was also in disbelief for a few seconds. I remembered reading that Ric truss rods were easy to replace. Then I thought better of it, and e-mailed Ted. I'm very glad I did, because there was more involved than just replacing the rod. Ted can tell you all about that.
If it ain't broke, break it, then fix it.
Thanks to everyone for all their comments and support.
DRUM ROLL PLEASE.....
Ladies and gentlemen, the truss rods have been put back into the neck. The strings are on.... I've adjusted the neck. Just waiting for the neck to settle a bit. I'm close to flat with the neck at the moment. Everything seems to be going well. No sweat expended. I think the problem I had was the truss rods. These brand new ones are a lot better. The amount of masking tape on the old ones was silly. This caused major problems.
The new rods are wrapped lightly with tape.
A big, big thank you to Mike Parks for supplying the rods and the fast friendly service.
I have a big gig in 1 week exactly. Things are looking good for my Monty to take its rightful place.
Will let everyone know the final outcome and whether I get the neck flat. Looks good though.... touch wood!!!
DRUM ROLL PLEASE.....
Ladies and gentlemen, the truss rods have been put back into the neck. The strings are on.... I've adjusted the neck. Just waiting for the neck to settle a bit. I'm close to flat with the neck at the moment. Everything seems to be going well. No sweat expended. I think the problem I had was the truss rods. These brand new ones are a lot better. The amount of masking tape on the old ones was silly. This caused major problems.
The new rods are wrapped lightly with tape.
A big, big thank you to Mike Parks for supplying the rods and the fast friendly service.
I have a big gig in 1 week exactly. Things are looking good for my Monty to take its rightful place.
Will let everyone know the final outcome and whether I get the neck flat. Looks good though.... touch wood!!!
What d'ya mean... the bass is TOO loud!