Oiling up the truss wheel.

[strummer]

ok hit a snag, removed my neck, how do i screw out the wheel now? i dont get it. If i actually screw it out wont it just adjust the rod and therefore snap it? im confused and aint going another step untill i get some feedback.

The rod is just a steel rod, and when you remove the wheel it will "rest".
On a musicman one part of the rod is fastened inside the neck near the nut. It then runs in a cannel all the way doen to the butt of the neck, where it pokes out through a hole and then can be tightened by the nut. The channel runs under the fret board, and is farther from the fret board at the middle of the neck, so that the rod is actually bent when it is resting. Then, as you tighten the wheel nut the rod will pull the neck into a back bow, unless you have strings pulling in the other direction.

 

[nicjimbass]

I've done this a couple times, since I like to keep my babies in good working order.

Taking the wheel off will not do anything, or at least it hasn't for me yet. As a matter of fact, anytime I have a neck off for any period of time, I completely loosen the trussrod so as not to bow the neck. Take the neck off, and while looking at it from the bottom of the neck (where the wheel is), turn it counter-clockwise until it comes off. Sounds like it needs lubed so....

As far as lube goes, I read somewhere that good ole vasoline (or any kind of petroleum jelly) is good and usually within reach. I've used it on both my Balls with great results. The truss rods always loosen and tighten nicely.

As far as WD-40, I use it on my tuners. Of course, I disassemble them, and soak each piece in a plastic container. It works well, especially if they get a little rough. After reading that it's basically kerosene, I may start using something else.

 

[strummer]

Found this, and a pic says more than a lot of words

 

[mynan]

ok hit a snag, removed my neck, how do i screw out the wheel now? i dont get it. If i actually screw it out wont it just adjust the rod and therefore snap it? im confused and aint going another step untill i get some feedback.

Loosening the nut won't snap the neck. I will simply let the neck rest, since tightening the nut only counters the effects of string tension bowing the neck.

 

[Big Poppa]

Im not touching this one with Jacks keyboard....I cannot believe that you could snap 2 screwdrivers
loosening a truss rod wheel... Please do not lube the rod...please....

 

[strummer]

Please do not lube the rod...please....

I'm trying to figure out why you'd say this?
I mean, it's pretty normal practice to lube the threads, at least from my (admittedly not huge) experience.
I've done this with Bongos, Fenders and a lot of other basses as well as guitars, and in no case has there been any problem whatsoever. On the contrary, as I live in a country where truss rods do need minor adjustments summer/winter, and a smooth truss rod is a must.

 

[bovinehost]

Im not touching this one with Jacks keyboard....I cannot believe that you could snap 2 screwdrivers
loosening a truss rod wheel... Please do not lube the rod...please....

I'm not touching it with my keyboard, either.

I'll tell you why. It's what I always say, guys - without getting your eyeballs on it, it's just nearly impossible to say what's going on with that truss rod.

My FEELING is that it's overtightened and could stand to be loosened all the way, strings off, start from zero and things would be fine - but I'm guessing. If I'm wrong, I don't want to feel even remotely responsible for a major f*ckup.

To the original poster, find a good shop somewhere and let them have a look at it. It will be money well spent.

Jack

 

[Big Poppa]

strummer read my answer do not LUBE THE ROD!!!!!!

 

[Aragorn35016]

strummer read my answer do not LUBE THE ROD!!!!!!

Chuckle Chuckle.... On a side note mine was super tight too and I snapped a screwdriver trying to tighten it and put a small ding in my bass. Second attempt I loosened it first before I tried to tighten it and It worked, but its still tight it might be at the end of travel but the neck is where I want it so hopefully I wont have to touch it again.

 

[recover82]

For lube, you can use something simple like vaseline.

this guy knows his stuff. . oh, wait..he's talking about the truss rod....

seriously though. if you feel something is wrong with your bass, take it to a dealer and get it looked at. also, listen to BP, he's been doing this stuff since Leo freaking Fender.

 

[MrMusashi]

dear sir!
if you are just a tiny bit unsure.. have somebody who knows what they are doing fix it for ya!
if there are no local luthiers/techs find one and ship the bass to them.. contact the distributor and see if they can recommend someone nearby you.

if a screwdriver snaps straight off, imagine what tension there must be on the wood!!!!!

MrM

 

[Jazzbassman23]

remove strings, remove neck. loosen truss rod, take off the truss rod nut, lube, screw it back on until its snug. then put the neck back on, string it up and tighten the rod just about a quarter turn.

For lube, you can use something simple like vaseline.

While you can certainly do this, when I experienced a similar issue, Jon (from EB) told me that I didn't have to take the strings off or the neck completely off. I just loosened the neck bolts and angled the neck to create some space. Bingo, wheel problem solved.

Jon, et al, if I'm talking out of school, feel free to delete my post.

 

[maddog]

ok hit a snag, removed my neck, how do i screw out the wheel now? i dont get it. If i actually screw it out wont it just adjust the rod and therefore snap it?

no. As you loosen it, you should be taking tension off the rod. You are uncompressing it. If it isn't, something is wrong and needs a luthier to look at it.

Also, as a guess, make sure you aren't inserting the screwdriver all the way thru the wheel and digging into the wood behind the wheel.

Good luck

 

[barryenright]

snapped cause they were old screwdrivers, ive since managed to give a bit o relief no problem, but id still like to lube up the wheel so my sterling keeps healty. The problem was that the neck was too straight and therefore buzzzzzz. Anyway Can somene explain what exactly am i screwing to take of the truss wheel, im not just turning it till it comes off surely?

 

[mynan]

Same concept, but with a much longer bolt and a nut that looks like a tinker toy...

If you remove the neck, the wheel (tinker toy) should thread right off.

 

[maddog]

Anyway Can somene explain what exactly am i screwing to take of the truss wheel, im not just turning it till it comes off surely?

yes.

see also mynan's post.

 

[barryenright]

exept there is no bolt at the end(the wheel itself is the bolt) therefore screwing the wheel will screw the rod and thereforedo bad things no?

 

[tadawson]

I think this thread is screwed . . . .

- Tim

 

[silverburst]

exept there is no bolt at the end(the wheel itself is the bolt) therefore screwing the wheel will screw the rod and thereforedo bad things no?

If you can't figure out what is going on after looking at the picture of a nut and bolt, then I really think you should take it to a professional.

I don't think I can look at this thread anymore. BP was right when he said that musicians cannot be trusted with wrenches.

 

[mynan]

exept there is no bolt at the end(the wheel itself is the bolt) therefore screwing the wheel will screw the rod and thereforedo bad things no?

You shouldn't even be tuning your own bass, nevermind doing a setup.

The wheel is the nut, but not to the same degree as the nut that holds the wheel.