problematic truss rods 2012 special edition 4003

[aceonbass]

But...the rods are in the channel along a specific curve that, unlike the older truss rod design, usually leaves the rod nuts sticking slightly upward in the truss rod cavity. If they were easily adjustable at the factory, they couldn't have moved to a point where you couldn't adjust them. I'd say the bass left the factory that way.

[heinpete]

Thankfully did not need to use much pressure to get the tool over the nut, just wish Rickenbacker would ensure that the basses leave the factory user adjustable without out this kind of stuff on a new bass.

I would point out that you actually don't know that RIC didn't ensure the rods were adjustable. Truss rods are under tension, and tension can cause movement. Any time from when the bass left the factory to its arrival at your house, the rods could have moved.

...yeah, it's simple as that: Bass moves...rods move!

[aceonbass]

...yeah, it's simple as that: Bass moves...rods move!

Not true. For those who aren't familiar with the current RIC truss rods and the channels they sit in, here it is in a nut shell, sort of. The truss rod channel is routed on a concave curve with a radius of something like fifteen feet. There's a strip of maple that fits into that channel, the bottom of which, is on a curve to match the one that's in the channel. This strip is glued to the sides of the channel, and the fretboard is glued down on top of that. Before the truss rods are inserted from the body end, they are bent into a gentle curve similar to the one in the truss rod channel. When the other end exits the headstock end, it will be at a slightly upward angle. Because of the curve of the channel it's in, the rods don't bend down under tension, although the will often stick straight out as they seat firmer against the thrust plate. So, as you can see, "rods don't just move". At least not in the way the old ones used to move.

[geofio]

sorry dont agree with that, there is no way they would move that much, i already spoke to a qualified luthier re this problem and he actually agreed that there was not enough clearance between the wood and nut.

[geofio]

and the whole point is I COULD NOT ADJUST THEM myself, Rickenbacker should ensure the instrument reaches you in a state that the rods can easily be adjusted!!!

[Colonel Sanders]

...yeah, it's simple as that: Bass moves...rods move!

Not true. For those who aren't familiar with the current RIC truss rods and the channels they sit in, here it is in a nut shell, sort of. The truss rod channel is routed on a concave curve with a radius of something like fifteen feet. There's a strip of maple that fits into that channel, the bottom of which, is on a curve to match the one that's in the channel. This strip is glued to the sides of the channel, and the fretboard is glued down on top of that. Before the truss rods are inserted from the body end, they are bent into a gentle curve similar to the one in the truss rod channel. When the other end exits the headstock end, it will be at a slightly upward angle. Because of the curve of the channel it's in, the rods don't bend down under tension, although the will often stick straight out as they seat firmer against the thrust plate. So, as you can see, "rods don't just move". At least not in the way the old ones used to move.

Exactly right.

And this is also why it is a waste of time to pre-bend replacement rods in a back bow direction in a bass with the new truss rod system. Not only it is a waste of time, it will just make your life more difficult with the re-insertion of the rods in the neck.

[aceonbass]

George, I don't doubt that the rods are as you say. I think it left the factory that way, unless the wood somehow compressed under the rods at the headstock end, allowing them to bend downward. This would be a good time to remove the rods, check the ends, and re-insert them. to my knowledge, RIC's are the only basses you can do this with, and it's super easy, especially with the new truss rods that are wrapped in heat shrink tubing. Remove the truss rod nuts, washers, and thrust block at the headstock. Then remove the guard, push the rods down the channel at the headstock, then pull them out of the neck at the body end. Put some painters tape on the front of the body in the path of the rods to be sure you don't scratch the finish. You may need to use a pair of vice-grips to pull the rods. Check for that slight upward curve, making sure the threaded portion at the headstock end is straight, re-insert, put the hardware back on and readjust. You don't even have to take the strings off if you're careful.

[geofio]

thanks for the advice makes sense.

[heinpete]

...yeah, it's simple as that: Bass moves...rods move!

Not true...So, as you can see, "rods don't just move". At least not in the way the old ones used to move.

...I was contemplating on the 4001 rods... they are very alive (move) once in a while , specially if you move your bass through different climate zones!

[Seans]

...yeah, it's simple as that: Bass moves...rods move!

Not true...So, as you can see, "rods don't just move". At least not in the way the old ones used to move.

...I was contemplating on the 4001 rods... they are very alive (move) once in a while , specially if you move your bass through different climate zones!

I found that to be the complete opposite, I left a 4001 cased it was still in tune 10 years later. Even Geddy's tech has mentioned that the 4001 never needed neck work on a tour, but the Jazz was all over the place.

[geofio]

thanks to everyone for the comments bass is now fully functional and sounding fantastic.

[cassius987]

...yeah, it's simple as that: Bass moves...rods move!

Not true...So, as you can see, "rods don't just move". At least not in the way the old ones used to move.

...I was contemplating on the 4001 rods... they are very alive (move) once in a while , specially if you move your bass through different climate zones!

Not really in my experience. My 4001FL has the most stable neck in my collection (or that of anyone I know here in Denver, for that matter). It makes a pilgrimage from 10% humidity to around 70% humidity once or twice a year.

[johnallg]

Not true...So, as you can see, "rods don't just move". At least not in the way the old ones used to move.

...I was contemplating on the 4001 rods... they are very alive (move) once in a while , specially if you move your bass through different climate zones!

I found that to be the complete opposite, I left a 4001 cased it was still in tune 10 years later. Even Geddy's tech has mentioned that the 4001 never needed neck work on a tour, but the Jazz was all over the place.

I'm with Sean.

[heinpete]

...I was contemplating on the 4001 rods... they are very alive (move) once in a while , specially if you move your bass through different climate zones!

I found that to be the complete opposite, I left a 4001 cased it was still in tune 10 years later. Even Geddy's tech has mentioned that the 4001 never needed neck work on a tour, but the Jazz was all over the place.

I'm with Sean.

...so many lucky ones!

[Colonel Sanders]

...so many lucky ones!

I had a 4001 from 1977 that was a POS. The neck did move a lot.

My 77 Autumnglo is from the same batch from the previous POS and is fantastic. Neck is stable as you could wish.