I bought a neck for a project bass I'm putting together that has a stripped truss rod nut. This video eased my anxiety of having to take on the repair. THANKS!
This will help me with my old BB1100s. Also, your lessons on Studybass are superb, they have helped me jam along with friends and feel confident. Well worth the subscription too, folks.
Know your instrument! When you are making educated adjustments, you will do a better job than those self-claimed luthiers at a music store. Thanks for making this high quality video.
I've had so many students come back from music stores with stripped nuts, broken jacks and knobs, bad setups, etc. Drives me crazy. Thanks for the kind words!
surprised there's not more likes on this...very informative...I'm having problem with an old ESP bass neck with the slotted truss nut on the heel, it is totally split open like a flower..I got it off and believe it is 6mm...ordered a bullet nut for it and a couple of washers, wish me luck.
Thank you for this educational content. My instrument is fender ultra jazz bass and I wonder how to replace the biflex truss rod nut. Can I remove it if I keep turning left like a normal single action truss rod? It's hard to find because there's not much information on the Fender Ultra jazz bass on the Internet..
Didn't feel brave enough to do this myself, got my bass sorted at a local shop. A good job was done, and overdue. Bass now plays well and I'm happy. Intuitive video though. Will have to invest in that torque screwdriver.
This is a pretty detailed and an informative video. Thanks for putting it out. Doing the lord's work :) I’ve got an LTD H1001 FM with a stripped nut. I can’t get 4mm or 5mm hex Allen keys to fit into properly. (Manufacturing book says 4mm). I’ve ordered a gripper wrench from stewmac (4mm). I’ve seen videos of the wrench used to remove nuts but since this is a double action and the nut is weld to the rod, can the gripper wrench be used to adjust the rod for relief? I’m fine with living with the gripper wrench for the rest of my life if it does the job adjusting my guitar neck relief.
That's awesome thanks I just got a sire P5 4 string bass new from sweetwater The Allen key that came w the bass has alot of play when put in the nut on the neck, I had this issue many years ago with 2 separate sires l sent back How is it Sire still can to get this right
Like everyone, they are just cutting costs where they can. You really have to shell out a lot money for excellent tools. They're often worth it, but the small, expensive ones like an Allen key seem harder to justify.
I'm down a rabbit hole with a Maxam 43" Bass neck that the truss rod stripped out on. I'm at the point where I got to either take off the fret board, or just get a new neck, but finding the manufacturer of this bass in china is becoming a major task. I pray that I can fix this because it's my freind's bass.
Thanks! It's only a day old and I haven't told anyone about it yet. Maybe I should beg for likes at the end of every video like people do. It's not really my style.
Great video. Learned a lot. Had a question about maxing out. I have a 2008 squier standard jazz bass and I seem to have maxed out on tightening the truss rod but still havent been able to reduce the height between the string and the fret markers at the 5th or 7th fret (depending on whether I am fretting the 12th or 17th fret). I read online about adding washers/spacers. Do you think that might work? At the moment, I don't want to attempt to tighten anymore as I am almost sure I can't tighten it any further. Thanks.
Yes, but not necessarily negatively. The two biggest things you can do to change your bass' tone is change the strings and change the pickups. Both are easy to do, too. You might find the low tension strings easier to play. Better playing is always better than better tone. Good luck!
My GD truss rod just broke on my 2 month old G&L after applying a tiny amount of pressure to it. So pissed. I believe it was due to a bad weld on the rod. Any suggestions?
So what prevents the nut unscrewing itself from the truss rod thread? The nut on my MIJ 80s strat just comes away from the trussrod, the nut thread is fine and i can tighten the trussrod but when I try to loosen it the nut unscrews
Thanx for all your advices man. I have a question about a "weird" truss rod issue tho. Couple of years ago, I sent my very (beated) first bass to someone just for a paint job and when that a-hole gave it back, I notice it came with a very low string action, with "muffled" string sound and with some fret buzzing on the first position/frets, cos the neck was back bowed a bit. So I decide to adjust the TR...just to found that the TR nut was loose😡...Good news were the nut wasn't stuck nor stripped but completely loose and came out when I used the allan key on it...bad news were that the TR remains only responsive to tight the neck further but doesn't moves to the side to give relieve to the neck, so I let him alone right there😤...Is there any solution for something like that???
I'd find the best luthier in town and have them look at it. They might be able to put it in a set of clamps to help straighten the neck and maybe the TR will work correctly with less tension to counteract. Otherwise they could look at it and advise you what to do. Good luck!
Hi. How easy or difficult is it to source a stripped truss rod nut for a bass? Do the nut dimensions vary with different models?I have an Ibanez SR675 with a stripped nut (thanks to some fool at a guitar store!). And I'm trying to find a source that sells these.
I want to remove a nut from a guitar and replace it with a new nut. It's a cheap guitar neck, and I'm doing it for aesthetic reasons - I want to add a bullet nut. Am I correct in understanding that I just twist the nut to the left (as if I'm loosening the truss rod) and keep twisting it until it comes off?
If it is a removable nut, yes. It unscrews counter-clockwise. Some nuts are permanently attached and you should research your instrument to make sure it's removable.
My Epiphone truss rod gets tighter as I turn it to the left. And very loose when i i turn to the right. But seems to be bowing with tightening (turning left).so it is bowing in the direction as you suggest but it does that while tightening. How does that happen ?
I found out it was set up the opposite (was lefty tighty righty loosy) . I had to to loosen it all the way to the right, then it started to tighten again, then it’s in the normal setup(Lefty loosy).
@@OmarOttoman I see our miscommunication. Yes, with a dual action truss rod it will have a zero point (perfectly straight) and you can bow it up or back. But, you should still think of it as "loosening" (adding relief) when turning to the left even if the turning itself feels tighter.
Don't use lithium grease!!!! Or ANY grease. It can dry out. Use anti-seize compound. It is specially made for exactly this. You can get little kethcup packs of it at any auto part store.
I think righty-tighty, lefty-loosey should be clockwise and counter-clockwise, cause outherwise it changes with your perspective. Also you just need to remember one direction to figure out the opposite motion. Truss Rod Clockwise = Back Bow. Or just think of a regular screw. Tighten=Back
I'm not sure how to describe it to you. You might buy a cheap truss rod to see how it works. Or next time you are at a luthier's shop have them show you.
You'll most likely be fine. Use it to negotiate a better deal. If you can't replace the nut, someone else will probably be able to for not too much $$$. Good luck!
I bought a neck for a project bass I'm putting together that has a stripped truss rod nut. This video eased my anxiety of having to take on the repair. THANKS!
Great! Good luck with your bass!
Finally a complete and exhaustive guide, thank you!
I'm glad it helped. Good luck!
This will help me with my old BB1100s. Also, your lessons on Studybass are superb, they have helped me jam along with friends and feel confident. Well worth the subscription too, folks.
That's great to hear. I really appreciate your support! Let me know how your bass turns out.
Know your instrument! When you are making educated adjustments, you will do a better job than those self-claimed luthiers at a music store. Thanks for making this high quality video.
I've had so many students come back from music stores with stripped nuts, broken jacks and knobs, bad setups, etc. Drives me crazy.
Thanks for the kind words!
Very informative video! Thanks for making it.
Thanks, Jozsef!
surprised there's not more likes on this...very informative...I'm having problem with an old ESP bass neck with the slotted truss nut on the heel, it is totally split open like a flower..I got it off and believe it is 6mm...ordered a bullet nut for it and a couple of washers, wish me luck.
Awesome! I hope it worked out well.
I got a squier pbass I haven't played in a while just because of a stripped nut, gonna try this. Thanks a lot!
Good luck!
Outstanding. I play guitar but the info still applies. Great presentation. Thanks a lot.
Thanks! I'm glad you liked it. Keep making music!
Thank you for this educational content. My instrument is fender ultra jazz bass and I wonder how to replace the biflex truss rod nut. Can I remove it if I keep turning left like a normal single action truss rod? It's hard to find because there's not much information on the Fender Ultra jazz bass on the Internet..
Sorry I don't know much about them. I would contact Fender directly. Good luck!
Really well done video. Very clear and easy to understand. Nice work.
Glad it was helpful. Thanks!
Didn't feel brave enough to do this myself, got my bass sorted at a local shop. A good job was done, and overdue. Bass now plays well and I'm happy. Intuitive video though. Will have to invest in that torque screwdriver.
It's good to know your limits when it comes to repairs. It never hurts to take it to someone who knows what they're doing and has all the good tools.
This is a pretty detailed and an informative video. Thanks for putting it out. Doing the lord's work :)
I’ve got an LTD H1001 FM with a stripped nut. I can’t get 4mm or 5mm hex Allen keys to fit into properly. (Manufacturing book says 4mm).
I’ve ordered a gripper wrench from stewmac (4mm). I’ve seen videos of the wrench used to remove nuts but since this is a double action and the nut is weld to the rod, can the gripper wrench be used to adjust the rod for relief? I’m fine with living with the gripper wrench for the rest of my life if it does the job adjusting my guitar neck relief.
Thanks! Yes, I think using the gripper all the time is doable.
That's awesome thanks
I just got a sire P5 4 string bass new from sweetwater
The Allen key that came w the bass has alot of play when put in the nut on the neck,
I had this issue many years ago with 2 separate sires l sent back
How is it Sire still can to get this right
Like everyone, they are just cutting costs where they can. You really have to shell out a lot money for excellent tools. They're often worth it, but the small, expensive ones like an Allen key seem harder to justify.
Thanks
I'm down a rabbit hole with a Maxam 43" Bass neck that the truss rod stripped out on. I'm at the point where I got to either take off the fret board, or just get a new neck, but finding the manufacturer of this bass in china is becoming a major task. I pray that I can fix this because it's my freind's bass.
I hope it turned out all for the best. A good luthier should be able to fix it if you haven't already.
so few likes. this is pure gold.
Thanks! It's only a day old and I haven't told anyone about it yet. Maybe I should beg for likes at the end of every video like people do. It's not really my style.
Does the Stewmac Gripper Tool work to ajust a trussrod with a stripped nut?
It could work, but I would just replace the nut. It will be easier in the long run.
Great video. Learned a lot. Had a question about maxing out. I have a 2008 squier standard jazz bass and I seem to have maxed out on tightening the truss rod but still havent been able to reduce the height between the string and the fret markers at the 5th or 7th fret (depending on whether I am fretting the 12th or 17th fret). I read online about adding washers/spacers. Do you think that might work? At the moment, I don't want to attempt to tighten anymore as I am almost sure I can't tighten it any further. Thanks.
Have you tried some lower tension strings? That might make the difference.
@@StudyBass Oh I haven't yet. Might give that a try. Asking because I am a beginner, would that affect the tone I would be getting from the bass?
Yes, but not necessarily negatively. The two biggest things you can do to change your bass' tone is change the strings and change the pickups. Both are easy to do, too.
You might find the low tension strings easier to play. Better playing is always better than better tone.
Good luck!
@@StudyBass Thank you!
10:03
What is the name of the white piece running across (horizontally) that holds the string?
The thing with the 5 groves...
That piece is called the nut. You can find more on the parts of the bass here: www.studybass.com/gear/
My GD truss rod just broke on my 2 month old G&L after applying a tiny amount of pressure to it. So pissed. I believe it was due to a bad weld on the rod. Any suggestions?
Man, that sucks. I'd get in touch with G&L. They are usually pretty cool. Maybe it is still under warranty?
So what prevents the nut unscrewing itself from the truss rod thread? The nut on my MIJ 80s strat just comes away from the trussrod, the nut thread is fine and i can tighten the trussrod but when I try to loosen it the nut unscrews
That's odd. I would take it to someone to look at it.
Love all your stuff and lessons brother 💙😎😎
Thank you.
Thanks a lot! Job well DONE!
Thank you!
Thanx for all your advices man. I have a question about a "weird" truss rod issue tho. Couple of years ago, I sent my very (beated) first bass to someone just for a paint job and when that a-hole gave it back, I notice it came with a very low string action, with "muffled" string sound and with some fret buzzing on the first position/frets, cos the neck was back bowed a bit. So I decide to adjust the TR...just to found that the TR nut was loose😡...Good news were the nut wasn't stuck nor stripped but completely loose and came out when I used the allan key on it...bad news were that the TR remains only responsive to tight the neck further but doesn't moves to the side to give relieve to the neck, so I let him alone right there😤...Is there any solution for something like that???
I'd find the best luthier in town and have them look at it. They might be able to put it in a set of clamps to help straighten the neck and maybe the TR will work correctly with less tension to counteract. Otherwise they could look at it and advise you what to do. Good luck!
@@StudyBass Yeah, would do that, have to find one tho...thank you for your rep and about the clamp advice👍
hi. how about squier bass classic vibe 70s 5 string? can the truss rod nut change like that?
You might ask the manufacturer. I don't know that specific bass. Good luck!
Hi. How easy or difficult is it to source a stripped truss rod nut for a bass? Do the nut dimensions vary with different models?I have an Ibanez SR675 with a stripped nut (thanks to some fool at a guitar store!). And I'm trying to find a source that sells these.
Dimensions can vary even on the same model! It's best to contact the manufacturer. Good luck!
Hope you and all your family are doing good during these bad days we are all living in, take care 🙂 okay
Doing well all considered. Thanks. I hope you are all well, too! These times shall pass.
@@StudyBass
OK thanks for the feedback yeah brother you are right about this stuff passing
I want to remove a nut from a guitar and replace it with a new nut. It's a cheap guitar neck, and I'm doing it for aesthetic reasons - I want to add a bullet nut. Am I correct in understanding that I just twist the nut to the left (as if I'm loosening the truss rod) and keep twisting it until it comes off?
If it is a removable nut, yes. It unscrews counter-clockwise. Some nuts are permanently attached and you should research your instrument to make sure it's removable.
My Epiphone truss rod gets tighter as I turn it to the left. And very loose when i i turn to the right. But seems to be bowing with tightening (turning left).so it is bowing in the direction as you suggest but it does that while tightening. How does that happen ?
I found out it was set up the opposite (was lefty tighty righty loosy) . I had to to loosen it all the way to the right, then it started to tighten again, then it’s in the normal setup(Lefty loosy).
Strange. I've never seen that. I would have someone check it out. Someone could damage the neck not knowing there's some unique setup.
@@StudyBass I contacted the manufacturer (Gibson) And they confirmed it works both ways. It is an Epiphone 2020 guitar.
@@OmarOttoman I see our miscommunication. Yes, with a dual action truss rod it will have a zero point (perfectly straight) and you can bow it up or back. But, you should still think of it as "loosening" (adding relief) when turning to the left even if the turning itself feels tighter.
A question. Does this also work with Gibson style guitars?
I'm not familiar enough to say. You'll have to research your specific model. I'm sure they've had many changes over their long history. Good luck!
Don't use lithium grease!!!! Or ANY grease. It can dry out. Use anti-seize compound. It is specially made for exactly this. You can get little kethcup packs of it at any auto part store.
Good tip! It makes sense grease could separate over time.
How common is a truss rod nut rusting tight onto a truss rod?
I bet it's more common in coastal areas, but I don't know how often that happens. It's an odd place for rust.
I think righty-tighty, lefty-loosey should be clockwise and counter-clockwise, cause outherwise it changes with your perspective.
Also you just need to remember one direction to figure out the opposite motion.
Truss Rod Clockwise = Back Bow.
Or just think of a regular screw.
Tighten=Back
Now let's do the "Tighten Up." Archie Bell and the Durells. That's toight.
Great tune. Local to my Houston home.
what i dont get is, turning the nut, turns the truss rod. so how can a nut be undone or done?
doesnt keep turning the truss rod?
The truss rod does not turn--it just flexes between curved and straight.
@@StudyBass yeh and so it bends. so if it keeps bending, how is the nut meant to get loose?
I'm not sure how to describe it to you. You might buy a cheap truss rod to see how it works. Or next time you are at a luthier's shop have them show you.
Man this shit is so scary lol one wrong move and the nut is toast. Currently debating buying a cool old bass with a "possibly stripped truss nut"
You'll most likely be fine. Use it to negotiate a better deal. If you can't replace the nut, someone else will probably be able to for not too much $$$. Good luck!
@@StudyBass Thanks man. For what it's worth, this video is probably the best video on the subject out there
ah geez I'd been putting 3 in 1 oil down my truss rods and I have a tube of bike bearing grease right here
It probably wasn't enough to cause much trouble.