Help! truss rod problems with a 89 stingray

[eugene.sg]

hi guys,

i recently got a 89 stingray and it has a slight bow backwards, with makes it unplayable. i then took out my set of allan keys and realized that not a single one fits and worse. all the grooves in the 'trussrod hole' has been worn off. so now i cant tweak the truss rod and i'm left with a very beautiful birdseye maple neck which can't be used.

after consulting a few of the bass luthiers in singapore, they gave me these few options.

1) cut grooves in the 'trussrod bullet' and use a screw driver to turn.

2) hammer the slightly bigger allan key in the hole and turn it.

3) check if the trussrod bullet can be replaced. (which is what i'm doing now, please help)

4) find a replacement neck( are these necks still manufactured?)

I'll put up the pictures of the neck soon.

Please help
Eugene

 

[bovinehost]

If I'm not mistaken, EB supplied someone (Rod Trussbroken?) with a "bullet" for their truss rod. Might have to wait until the weekend is over to get a response from EB, but ask Derek - or call Customer Service.

If there is any hope, I think that's where it lies. Good luck.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Bullet Truss Nut part number is "M05470"

 

[eugene.sg]

thanks for the quick replys.

just an update, i just changed the strings on the bass from .45s to.50s hoping that the highter tension would be able to hold the neck up and now the neck is perfect with low action.

would this extra tension spoil the neck?
how do i remove the bullet part?

I'll get the pictures out by tonight.

thanks guys.
eugene

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Hi eugene,

>>>>would this extra tension spoil the neck?

No.

>>>>how do i remove the bullet part?

IMO. you'll probably have to get a luthier to remove it.

In relation to the bullet truss nuts, they're inexpensive. I suggest you get two (one as a spare) while ther're readilly available.

(do you have the serial# of the Bass)

 

[eugene.sg]

Thanks Rod.

The serial number on the bridge is 28664 and stamped 5/89 at the heel of the neck.

Where can i get the bullet truss nut?
I can't attach the pictures, they are too big.

Eugene

 

[eugene.sg]

Okay the photos of the neck are here....

http://sg.f1.pg.briefcase.yahoo.com/brokennuttree

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Hi eugene....

Email the EB Service Dept or Derek. Because of your circumstances, they may send it to you direct.

A luthier would probably use option 1 or 2 above to remove the nut.


Thanks for the serial and date!

Although this has nothing to do with your truss problem, can you advise (merely for my records):

1) Are the string saddles hollow?

2) Are the saddle screws adjusted with a small hex wrench or normal screw driver?

Cheers.

 

[eugene.sg]

>>>>1) Are the string saddles hollow?
Err.... I'm not sure what you are talking about.

>>>>2) Are the saddle screws adjusted with a small hex wrench or normal screw driver?
It uses a small hex wrench. =)
__
/ \
\__/ Heh.


Lastly, where can i find a replacment pickguard for the '89 stingray. I realised that the new ones have a different cut for the truss rod adjustment nut.
Will the new replacement pickguard fit my '89 stingray?

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

eugene......

The saddles on the bridge that the strings rest on....are they solid or are they tubular (hollow)....if you look at them side on, can you see through them???


I'm sure the new EB pgs will fit....I've seen them used on the Pre-EB Basses. WD sell them. I got a tort for my Pre-EB.


Link for pickguards:

http://www.pickguards.com/PickguardOrderingInstructions2.htm

 

[eugene.sg]

Thanks rod.

I don't have my bass with me right now but I'll go back and check after work. I've just uploaded more pictures of the bass body with the bridge. Check it out.

My electronics are all crackling and I want to change my 2 band eq to a 3 band. What would you guys suggest?
My pickups is pretty rusty too. Should I change it?

Thanks.
Eugene

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Lovely Maple neck

Orange Burst finish???

 

[eugene.sg]

Yeah thanks. I bought it because the neck was to beautiful. I'm not exactly sure what colour the body is but I was told this is a cherry burst. It's quite a nice combination, I like it. =) What pickguard should i put on this?

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

TORT TORT TORT (or perhaps tort).......

Don't forget saddles for me

 

[eugene.sg]

Okay Okay.

"My electronics are all crackling and I want to change my 2 band eq to a 3 band. What would you guys suggest?
My pickups is pretty rusty too. Should I change it?"

How?

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

There are some guys, on this forum, who have fitted after-market electronics...no doubt you'll get advice from them...I've never tried doing it.

>>>My electronics are all crackling

When you adjust volume etc?

If that's the case, a tiny bit of WD 40 in the pots will fix it...not too much though!

There's also a recent thread about cleaning PUPS. The rust won't affect the sound.

 

[Simple Gav]

i tend to use servisol. its not has greasy as wd40.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

eugene......this guy makes pgs:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2565204529&category=4713

 

[eugene.sg]

Hey thanks guys.

I just found another problem... The output level of this bass is significantly lower than any of my other basses. I have to play this at volume 4 on my amp when I only use 1 or 1.5 for my American Standard Jazz Bass. My bass eq knob crakles when I adjust it. Could it be the wiring? Lastly, My G sting is much softer than my E string... although the distance between the pickup and string are the same for both...

Whats wrong with this bass!

Sounds great though. =)

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

>>>My bass eq knob crakles when I adjust it.

This is what I was referring to above. Use some WD40 or similar spray to lubricate and clean the carbon potentiometer tracks on the Vol, Bass and Treble. You'll have to unscrew the control plate to get at them. You'll find small openings in their bodies. Just use a little. I use CRC 2.26.

>>>The output level of this bass is significantly lower than any of my other basses.

I suspect it's just the difference in the make of the instrument and/or the difference in the spacing of the pickups on each instrument.

However, it could be the potentiometers needing a clean and lube...as above.

I would check the battery aswell...it could be going low.

>>>My G sting is much softer than my E string...

Some complain of this problem even though they say that the pickup has been adjusted correctly. I've never experienced it.

>>>although the distance between the pickup and string are the same for both...

The pickup should be closer to the G than what it is for the E.

Pickup adjustment:

While depressing the E string at the last fret, use a 6" steel rule and measure the distance from the bottom of that string to the top of the pickup magnet for that string. Adjust for a distance of 4/32 inches. Now depress the G string at the last fret but, this time, aim for a distance of 3/32 inches. Final adjustment may have to be made to the G side by ear, so that the volume is even across all strings. (If the Bass has more than one pickup then adjustment is the same with each).

That's Fender specs. Although EB describe a different procedure, the result turns out to be exactly the same.

My guess is that with a PUP adjustment, fresh battery and a clean of the potentiometers, you'll have it purring like a V8.

If you still have low output on the G then you may have to try after market electronics.

Easy....Hey...