The idiot and his truss rods

[ken_j]

...Tap Magic Aluminum was developed decades ago to eliminate that "black, mushy"problem when using the Original formulation.

I knew about that, I have had a can of AlumTap for years and a can of TapFree. Yes the TapFree has the 1,1,1 listed.

[gareth]

I just posted this question another thread, but it makes more sense to ask it here.

Can you replace the old style truss rods in a 4001 with the simpler new style ones ? I would imagine that you might have to countersink the holes at the bass end to accommodate the anchors, but is there any other reason why you couldn't do it ?

I have lots of bar stock and too much time on my hands. Also, the 4001's show signs of that bending the old style rods get at the adjuster ends.

[gareth]

Actually, just built another set out of the 303 stainless. I think I'll use those instead.....

A little harder to put a thread on, but nothing two gallons of tap magic didn't solve.

Now I have ginger hair and walk backwards.

[ken_j]

Can you replace the old style truss rods in a 4001 with the simpler new style ones?

I don't see how. The new style rods have a piece of curved wood, between the rod and the fretboard, to react against.

Actually, just built another set out of the 303 stainless. I think I'll use those instead.....

I recall a post by JH that a harder metal will affect the tone in a negative way.

[gareth]

Can you replace the old style truss rods in a 4001 with the simpler new style ones?

I don't see how. The new style rods have a piece of curved wood, between the rod and the fretboard, to react against.

Actually, just built another set out of the 303 stainless. I think I'll use those instead.....

I recall a post by JH that a harder metal will affect the tone in a negative way.

I see. It is possible then, but it's a bigger job than just swapping them out. The fretboard would have to come off and packing strips installed at the very least. Not something to do lightly, but certainly something to consider if you were doing a complete ground up restoration.

As for the 303 stainless, it's not too much harder than than the mild steel, and has quite a high sulphur content, so it was only marginally harder to thread than the mild steel bar stock. The last set of rods I got out were rusted so this might be a way to avoid that. Also, these will probably never break like the last ones. Of course, they'll fire the fretboard off if overused, so I'll have to bear that in mind.

If they don't sound right, I'll just pull them and put the mild steel ones back in....

[rickenbrother]

Very interesting thread here!