Early 4003 rods question

[jdogric12]

Hey gang. Ilan was nice enough to send me some rods for my "not quite an S" bass. But the spacer's holes are way too close together. I remember seeing something about two versions of early body-end-adjusting 4003's, one close together, and one spread far like mine. I saw a pic of two separate square spacers. Is that what I need? How to get? Can I jam any piece of metal in there? Thanks, J

[aceonbass]

The two separate square spacers are for body end adjustment. You should have a new one piece spacer, or thrust block, made for your spacing. Brass is the better material.

[jdogric12]

Sounds hard. Does anyone here do this?

[ken_j]

Yep, but I doubt that it's worth the cost of shipping. Get your hands dirty!

[jdogric12]

D'oh!

(_8^(I)

[cjj]

The two separate square spacers are for body end adjustment. You should have a new one piece spacer, or thrust block, made for your spacing. Brass is the better material.

Not to derail the thread too far, but that brings up a question. Do some of the early 4003 basses have a 2-piece thrust block design and some a single piece? My 1984 has 2 pieces and I've been told that somehow it must have been broken and it should be one piece...

[ken_j]

I fail to see how it could break down the middle considering the direction of the force.

[cjj]

Yeah. It doesn't really look broken either, looks cleanly cut. And knowing the history of the bass (well, it's got a bit of ebay involvement, so you never really know), I don't think anyone has messed with the rods much if any over it's life...

[paologregorio]

how much does it cost to mod an early 4003 so the truss rods are like the current ones?

[aceonbass]

how much does it cost to mod an early 4003 so the truss rods are like the current ones?

It can't be done. Also early 4003 thrust blocks were often standard 4001 blocks cut in half

[weemac]

Normally two pieces.....


The little maple blocks (see the pic) were fitted by one of the previous owners to help stop the rods bending.
Believe it or not it works!

emac.

[cjj]

OK, thanks all, I feel better now knowing that mine came from the factory that way. Here's what it looks like:

Looks like maybe I could use a maple block or two...

[jps]

knowing that mine cane...

I never knew that cane was mined!

[aceonbass]

OK, thanks all, I feel better now knowing that mine cane from the factory that way.Looks like maybe I could use a maple block or two...

I'd make a one piece brass block that goes all the way accross. The rod ends would probably bend less if this block were one piece.

[cjj]

knowing that mine cane...

I never knew that cane was mined!

OK, ok. the 'm' and 'n' keys are pretty close together, and this computer has a plain, old keyboard, which is WAY different that my "normal" keyboard I use at work all day: