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'57 Precision bass truss rod construction/replacement


cameltoe
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Hi Guys,

As has been covered elsewhere on the forum, I recently became the owner of a 1983 JV series Precision bass, which within a week, snapped it's truss rod. The truss has sheared at the heel, just under the truss nut, leaving part of the rod still inside the nut.

I have a few options, the most obvious being to bin the neck. I don't really want to do this as these instruments are becoming collectable, and this would lower the value.

The other option, is to find a luthier (mine doesn't) who has access to this Stewmac kit, which in theory l[i]ooks[/i] as if it would work: [url="http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_tools_for_Truss_rods/Truss_Rod_Rescue_Kit.html"]http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_tools_for_Truss_rods/Truss_Rod_Rescue_Kit.html[/url]

The last option is to try and replace the truss rod. I had all but ruled this out as I figured this would be the most expensive option, but decided on googling the construction of one-piece neck truss rods.

From what I can gather, the skunk stripe covers the truss rod channel that is routed into the neck. The truss rod is then inserted from the headstock end, with the anchor being held in place here under the walnut plug.

If this is the case, can the faulty truss be removed from the headstock end? Obviously the walnut plug would need to come out, but that would hopefully be a much smaller job compared to some of the other options currently on the table. If so, then a new rod could be reinserted from here, without the need to remove the skunk stripe?

I found this article, which I hope would apply to my Precision. [url="http://magneticmotorworks.com/hello/ErlewineVGM.pdf"]http://magneticmotorworks.com/hello/ErlewineVGM.pdf[/url]

Being a JV series P, these were made to pre-CBS blueprints, so I would assume (hope) they stayed true to the original truss rod design. It is needless to say a one-piece neck with skunk stripe and walnut plug.

If this idea will work in theory but may be very difficult, I would consider the risk acceptable as a first step to try and salvage this neck- if it doesn't work, it's a case of replug the headstock, and try the stewmac repair kit.

If anyone can confirm or deny any of the above i'd be very grateful.

Thanks in advance

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Hi cameltoe - did you see my comment on the other post about the shim/truss rod issues? I noticed there's a luthier in London who looks to have one of those truss rod repair kits - I think he's still in business; try http://grahamparkerluthier.com/

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Yep buddy, and replied to!

As I suspect the truss may have been a bit dodgy to begin with, I'm going to see if this approach is possible first, so the original truss can be replaced. If not I'm going to go that route. Either way I'm going to give him a shout. Thanks bud!

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