Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I was wondering how I go about checking the truss rods on my 72 4001 ric bass, the fret board is separating from the neck.
The separation is about 4 inch's long. Should I remove the fretboard completely or just glue it back. I think I should remove the fretboard to get a better look at the truss rods but would like some expert opinions. Also I have a hard case with blue lining that came with the guitar is it original to the year? where can I get case parts?

Thanks
Gerry

Lossen the truss rods all the way. Clamp the fret board to the neck to prevent further damage. Pull the truss rods out from the neck. They are not anchored at the body end. Reglue the fretboared back down. I would use Franklin titebond. Everyone has their own technique of getting the glue into the crack. I use a syringe with a plastic mixing sharp. Be sure clean out any glue that squeezes into the truss rod channel. The truss rods will most likely need to be straightened out or even trimmed shorter before re-installing. This most likely happened by the neck being adjusted improperly.

Here is a link to some syringes for gluing I would use "B". I have some other types that are not available here. http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx ... ,110,42967

Once you get it fixed, remember that due to the way the truss rod system on your bass works, you must manually adjust the neck to the position you want by hand - then snug the truss rod nuts up to hold it in place. You cannot just tighten the rods, or you'll pop the fretboard off again.

Do a search of the forum to find other threadson this subject, and techniques on performing the manual adjustment.

Having just done this job on a later model 4003 with the newer truss rods, I'd say that while you're doing this, remove the fingerboard completely and clean and prep the neck. That will allow you to tidy up the fingerboard and see if there's any damage to the underside of it. Then you can reglue it. I personally think that you'll be able to do a better job of keeping the glue where you need it that way.

You can see how I removed my fingerboard here;

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=391450

Mind you, I always like to make a job more complicated than it needs to be.

you have to either cleanup the old glue and clamp it back with good glue but if you remove the fingerboard all the way it will be easier to remove all the traces of old glue - to glue it back on - better get some jig of your own going - i have made one some time ago for this job - it is long wooden board with radius of 10' on one side and i made cuts through for frets on table saw. since you'd be able to clean up the neck this way very well remember not to clamp it back on with glue too tight or you are going to starve the joint of glue and it will not hold together ...