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Post subject: 1990 Jazz bass - Broken Truss rod
Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2017 7:11 pm
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Hello! I'm new to these forums.
I have a 1990 US made jazz bass with a broken truss rod. I'd like to keep the original neck. How difficult is it to replace? I have managed to get the old one out with the rest of it's parts, but I can't see using original parts to get it back together without having to take the neck apart. Is this something Fender can repair if I send it in? If so, what is the average cost for this repair? Also... Would it be better to buy a replacement neck? what about the serial number? Can it be transferred to the replacement neck as well? I'd prefer to keep my bass all US made if it's possible. Even better if the neck can be saved as it's got some patina from the years I've played it.

Thanks!


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Post subject: Re: 1990 Jazz bass - Broken Truss rod
Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2017 3:15 am
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Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
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Location: Province de Québec, Canada
Why do you say the truss rod is broken ?
It is not only a truss nut issue ? Did you see a qualified luthier ?

IMO Fender do not make any repair, they send you to a Fender Service Center wich ,IMO, will send the neck to a luthier or they will order a neck from Fender with few months waiting (?) .
To see how to replace a truss rod on the web, I'm sure it cost you the price of a new neck ( or more ? ) without to be sure the job will be well done...

A 1990 bass have no collector value IMO, a new neck without the serial number will keep the guitar value if you can show the old neck to the buyer. Thera are many after market very good neck builder.


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Post subject: Re: 1990 Jazz bass - Broken Truss rod
Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2017 8:04 pm
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Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:12 pm
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Location: Albemarle, NC
At the first sign of truss rod problems you should get an instrument to the best tech with truss rod experience you can find. The more you try to do on your own the greater the risk you will only make things worse and complicate any possible repair. If a truss rod is truly broken replacement is required which is complicated because the fretboard must be at least partially removed.

Fender does not do repairs. You can check with the nearest Fender service center and see if they can do it or knows someone who does.

Costs will vary since different shops charge different hourly rates and depending upon skill of the repair person so will the visibility of the repair. A new replacement neck or a new instrument altogether might be a good way to go.


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Post subject: Re: 1990 Jazz bass - Broken Truss rod
Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2017 2:11 am
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Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
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Location: Province de Québec, Canada
No news from this member since his post January the 1st
No answer to my questions :?


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Post subject: Re: 1990 Jazz bass - Broken Truss rod
Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2017 2:35 pm
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The truss rod is broken. It's an obvious break as it snapped right at the cylinder at the base of the neck. I was fortunate in that once I unscrewed the adjusting sleeve at the tuner end, I was able to pull the rod out and the cylinder dropped out at the other end.

I have already purchased and installed a replacement neck. Bass plays fine, but I would still like to try my hand at repairing the rod on the broken neck. Looks like a relatively simple thing to do once the right parts are rounded up. I already have a replacement truss rod from Stewmac. The plan is to drill out the cylinder where the old rod snapped to get what's left of the old rod out, then tap the hole and install a set screw, so when I slide the new truss rod in, I can secure it back into the cylinder at the base. I see no reason why this can't be done.
This looks to be the easiest way to repair the neck as I've spoken to a few luthiers and they all say it's not worth their time or effort to deal with it. I am definitely not interested in removing the fretboard or drilling out the skunk stripe. Don't have the tools or the time to go that route. If succesful, then I'll put the old neck back on and build another bass using the replacement neck. If not, then I'll leave it be with the replacement neck on. We'll see how it goes. I've read on Talkbass that this can be done. Just need to go to a machinist to get the cylinder drilled out and tapped for a set screw, which I already have.


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Post subject: Re: 1990 Jazz bass - Broken Truss rod
Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2017 4:39 pm
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Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
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Location: Province de Québec, Canada
I replace myself a truss rod for the first time few weeks ago.
I save $400
I unglue the fret board with warn clothes iron, remove the truss rod , put new one, glue the fret bord. Guitar work fine.
Lots of video on YouTube
Image


New truss rod ( Stew Mac ) in the neck , old one on top of photo
Image

Gluing with Lepage carpenter glue
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