1975 4001 Rick Truss Rod Problem

[mhapsi]

Can anybody tell me how to fix a truss rod, where the truss rod seems to be bent down to the wood at the head stock end? I can't get a tool on the nuts.

[Kopfjaeger]

Yikes! Can I ask a few questions first? I'm guessing the neck has to much relief in it (forward bow), that's why you want to adjust her? Have you ever adjusted these type hairpin rods before? What gauge strings are those on her now? If there excessive relief (forward bow) is this a recent issue??

Sepp

[deblase4001]

Looks exactly like my 75 4001 did. I was able to use a small 1/4" wrench to loosen the nut. You may have to pry up on the rod a bit to create some clearance - be sure to clamp the neck and fretboard near the nut first. I then pulled the rods out and straightened the tips. See this thread for more info: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=404031

[mhapsi]

Yes, the neck has way to much relief. There is almost a 3/16" gap between the E string and the 9th fret. I have not adjusted this type of truss rod before. The strings are 100, 80, 65 & 45. This has been a problem for about 10 years. I have tried to tell myself that I could live with it.

Mike

[Kopfjaeger]

Mike,

OK, then follow Greg's advice as listed in his attached thread. Pull off the strings and clamp the fretboard between the nut and first fret before exerting any forward pressure on the nuts. While You may be able to bend them straight, I think you will benefit from removing them from the body end and re-aching them as Joey pointed out in the thread. This sorta pre-loads the neck to a back bow. When adjusting, you need to manually straighten the neck and then tighten the rods. The rod will not move the neck like in conventional truss rods. Too much tightening or treating them like conventional rods with either crack, your neck or pop your fretboard.

Sepp

[Kopfjaeger]

Once you get the strings off, your neck will arch rearward a little and you may be able to get an easier purchase under the nut. Right now your rods and neck are fighting the string tension.

Sepp

[mhapsi]

OK, the strings are off and there is a clamp between the nut and the first fret. The TR nuts are still dug into the wood. What should I use to pry the two rods up enough to get a wrench on them?

Mike

[Kopfjaeger]

Mike,

A Long shank thin blade screw driver. Pry up only enough to get the tool on the nut.

Sepp

[antonius]

I once had exactly the same problem with my 1975 4001, but was able to fix it with the help of all the excellent advice I got on this forum. Once I managed to get the nut driver on the nuts I was able to use it to bend the rod ends up without any upward pressure going onto the fretboard (I still had it clamped though!) and then it was fairly easy to get the rods out and clean up the threads properly. I use slightly lower tension strings now and I also think that bending a curve in the rods significantly adds to their strength, which means you won't have to tighten them so much in the future. I haven't had a problem since. Good luck!

[Kopfjaeger]

So...... How'd you make out?? Real curious to see the results.

Sepp

[mhapsi]

OK the rods are out. I am going to cut an inch off and re-thread them. Can you tell me the thread size on the rods? From measuring, I am thinking it is 10-32 UNF. Any thoughts.

Mike

[johnallg]

Mike - viewtopic.php?f=2&t=402571#p713080