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Post subject: Truss-rod adjustment tool
Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 10:17 am
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I have a Reissue '62 Vintage Precision Bass. The truss-rod adjustment nut (which is at the bridge-end of the neck) has "phillips" type slots for adjusting. I bought a special "screwdriver" for this nut, but there is not enough clearance to seat the tool properly. Does anyone have experience with this type of nut and the tool/procedure for using it?

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Post subject: Re: Truss-rod adjustment tool
Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 10:32 am
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MTWJR6 wrote:
I have a Reissue '62 Vintage Precision Bass. The truss-rod adjustment nut (which is at the bridge-end of the neck) has "phillips" type slots for adjusting. I bought a special "screwdriver" for this nut, but there is not enough clearance to seat the tool properly. Does anyone have experience with this type of nut and the tool/procedure for using it?


The bottom line is that there is no genuinely functional tool other than a large screwdriver. You're either going to have to loosen your neck and use (ideally) a phillips head screwdriver or mess up the pickguard (if you don't remove it) and part of the body directly in front of the truss rod to properly manipulate the screwdriver to in turn, properly adjust the truss rod.

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Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 5:08 am
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this is common in pre cbs jazz basses and p basses right?

any suggestions on what to do? i mean in your case.. i was thinking of getting on 60's bass but this issue is really a hassle.. unlike that of the 51 reissue with the adjustment at the headstock..


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Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 11:20 am
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http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Speci ... ender.html


I think stew mac may have what you are looking for.
See above link


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Post subject: Truss-rod adjustment tool
Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 6:37 pm
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Unfortunately, to properly use the special Fender truss-rod adljustment tool from Stewart-MacDonald made for certain Fender guitars of I guess the mid 50's to mid 60's, you have to remove the neck, which I have no intention of doing. Even though there is an X shaped slot, it is not for a phillips-head screwdriver. With trial and error, I have found a medium flat-head screwdriver which seats quite well. Since the fretboard "relief" is reasonably correct, I have decided to leave well-enough alone.

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Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:50 pm
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eyecandy wrote:
this is common in pre cbs jazz basses and p basses right?

any suggestions on what to do? i mean in your case.. i was thinking of getting on 60's bass but this issue is really a hassle.. unlike that of the 51 reissue with the adjustment at the headstock..


Actually on my Fender '51 RI the truss rod adjustment is at the heel of the neck, not on the headstock.

Removing the pickguard helps, but it is best to remove the neck. What a pain in the neck! (Pardon the pun.)


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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 2:57 pm
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All of the old style Fenders have this type of truss rod nut.
It is easiest to adjust these with the neck off of the bass, but you have to do fine adjustments with the neck mounted and strung up to pitch. I use a medium size standard screwdriver to adjust these necks.

Watch out for the pickguard. Its very easy to scratch the pickguard when you do this.

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Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 6:46 am
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no power tools needed?


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Post subject: Re: Truss-rod adjustment tool
Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 8:08 am
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Martian wrote:
MTWJR6 wrote:
I have a Reissue '62 Vintage Precision Bass. The truss-rod adjustment nut (which is at the bridge-end of the neck) has "phillips" type slots for adjusting. I bought a special "screwdriver" for this nut, but there is not enough clearance to seat the tool properly. Does anyone have experience with this type of nut and the tool/procedure for using it?


The bottom line is that there is no genuinely functional tool other than a large screwdriver. You're either going to have to loosen your neck and use (ideally) a phillips head screwdriver or mess up the pickguard (if you don't remove it) and part of the body directly in front of the truss rod to properly manipulate the screwdriver to in turn, properly adjust the truss rod.


You will have to loosen the neck to adjust the truss rod. You notice even on the American Standards, there is small space cut out of the body to insert the proprietary MIA wrench for neck adjustments. Unfortunately, the vintage and vintage style instruments don't have this option.

PLEASE NOTE...If any of these steps seem to be something you are not comfortable with, please seek the help of a professional repair person.


1st: You have the proper tool such as that link for the screwdriver geared for Fender guitars or good fitting screwdriver.

2nd: Loosen or remove the strings from the headstock. This will depend how much slack you have around the machine heads.

3nd: Start by loosening the two screws closest to the body. You want to loosen these screws almost to the point where they come out of the neck.

4th: Now start to loosen the two screws closest to headstock. Loosen them almost to point of them coming out.

5th: You should be able to pop the neck out of its pocket. If you can't, you will have to completely remove the screws. Start by addressing the screw closest to the body. At this point you should be able to tilt the neck back just far enough to adjust the neck without chewing up the body &/or the pick-guard. Please notice as you do this, it is common to find neck shims under the neck. You don't want to lose them and in the process. More importantly, pay attention how they had been placed within in the neck pocket if this is applicable. Otherwise, when you put the neck back in place, you will have drastically changed the set-up of the instrument.

6th: If you still can't access the truss rod, you will need to loosen the two other screws closest to the headstock. It is common to remove the whole neck for adjustments. The reason for the long-winded explanation was to save you from having to completely remove the neck. The in the long run helps prevent the stripping of the screw socket of the neck.

Lastly: If you completely remove any of the screws, be very careful to place the screws directly in the sockets of the neck. If they are no lined up, they will bore new holes in the neck.
Once the screws are correctly lined up and the shim (if applicable) is placed back in its correct spot, tighten the screws back into place by alternating each screw as you tighten them. Once they are back into place, put the strings back on and tune up. One big problem, you have to hope the neck has the proper relief you desire, otherwise, you have repeat the whole process again!

Again, if this seems to be a tough task please leave it up to a professional. One last suggestion, if you love the bass and want to have any easier time adjusting the neck and you don't mind slightly altering the bass, you could have a worthy pro make a neck pocket similar to the pocket on the MIA basses. This would remedy the ease of access to any future adjustment issues.


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Post subject: Re: Truss-rod adjustment tool
Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 6:07 am
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This is just really crap design, nothing more. Desire to stay true to the original ethos of the vintage basses should not override basic functionality. I have just bought a GL JB, great instrument apart from the shocking truss rod design, and being a very slim neck, it is going to need some tweaking and bedding in. I think Fender should be publically ridiculed for this. :lol: :twisted:


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Post subject: Re: Truss-rod adjustment tool
Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 2:08 pm
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You dont have to remove the strings or the pick guard if you are careful you can slide a flat blade screwdriver in there and give it a turn. I own the 62 and a 50's P and this works with both of them. How can you set the truss rod with strings off? It would be hit or miss and take forever!


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Post subject: Re: Truss-rod adjustment tool
Posted: Fri May 27, 2011 4:47 am
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Not possible on the Geddy Jazz. Pickguard is too flush with the neck heel.


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Post subject: Re: Truss-rod adjustment tool
Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 3:59 pm
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sprool wrote:
This is just really crap design, nothing more. Desire to stay true to the original ethos of the vintage basses should not override basic functionality. I have just bought a GL JB, great instrument apart from the shocking truss rod design, and being a very slim neck, it is going to need some tweaking and bedding in. I think Fender should be publically ridiculed for this. :lol: :twisted:


I think a flogging topped off with a thrashing is in order.
Yes... a flogging and a stern thrashing should do I say old chap! :D


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