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Early 4003 rods question
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 10:21 am
by 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
Re: Early 4003 rods question
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 11:30 am
by 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.
Re: Early 4003 rods question
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 11:52 am
by jdogric12
Sounds hard. Does anyone here do this?
Re: Early 4003 rods question
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 2:31 pm
by ken_j
Yep, but I doubt that it's worth the cost of shipping. Get your hands dirty!
Re: Early 4003 rods question
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 2:44 pm
by jdogric12
D'oh!
(_8^(I)
Re: Early 4003 rods question
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 4:03 pm
by cjj
aceonbass wrote: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...
Re: Early 4003 rods question
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 4:13 pm
by ken_j
I fail to see how it could break down the middle considering the direction of the force.
Re: Early 4003 rods question
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 4:47 pm
by 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...
Re: Early 4003 rods question
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 5:22 pm
by paologregorio
how much does it cost to mod an early 4003 so the truss rods are like the current ones?
Re: Early 4003 rods question
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 5:49 pm
by aceonbass
paologregorio wrote: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
Re: Early 4003 rods question
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 7:22 pm
by 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.
Re: Early 4003 rods question
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 7:37 pm
by 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...
Re: Early 4003 rods question
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 7:43 pm
by jps
cjj wrote:knowing that mine cane...
I never knew that cane was mined!
Re: Early 4003 rods question
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 7:48 pm
by aceonbass
cjj wrote: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.
Re: Early 4003 rods question
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 8:22 pm
by cjj
