Removing the Truss Rod

[FritzCat]

My newly-acquired Joe Maphis Mosrite has a bit of backbow on the neck. It's playable, but the action is too high to make playing enjoyable at and above the 12th fret. I remember a post by Ed Elliott saying that this can be corrected by reversing the truss rod. So how do you get the thing out? Do the strings need to be off? Does the neck need to be removed? On this guitar the rod is accessible through the headstock, if it makes any difference. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!

[dubtrub]

If it has back bow, simply loosen the tension on the truss rod by turning it to the left maybe 1/4 to 1/2 turn. Do the opposite if the neck is bowed as in relief. It's best to make these adjustments with the tension relieved on all the strings but not necessary if the adjustment is at the headstock, but helps prevent stripping the adjustment nut.

[FritzCat]

I loosened the truss rod completely (removed the nut), but there is still some backbow.

[dubtrub]

If you can get the truss rod out, turn the truss rod upside down, reinstall and tighten adjusting nut. This will relieve the back bow and bow it in the opposite direction. You can reinstall the strings and play it like this until the string tension starts to bow the neck back to it's proper relief. Once it settles back into the normal straightness with a slight bow after a few days, then remove the truss rod and reinstall it properly. Be sure to secure that string guide with some contact glue so it doesn't move or else it won't stay in tune.

Just so we are on the same sheet of music. Back bow is when the fret board is bowed up or raised in the center not bowed down in the center. We are talking about back bow, right?

[FritzCat]

Yes, that's what I mean by backbow. I was just wondering if there was a specific procedure to removing the truss rod besides loosening it up and yanking it out.

[dubtrub]

Yes, that's what I mean by backbow. I was just wondering if there was a specific procedure to removing the truss rod besides loosening it up and yanking it out.

That's all there is to it. Now on my '72 bass the truss rod would not come out the front even though it adjusted at the headstock. I had to remove the glued on cover across the back of the neck and pull it out from the rear. You will know ASAP when you try to bring it out the front if is block by the routed inlet recessed area.

[dubtrub]

So, what was the verdict?

[FritzCat]

It looks like it would clear the routed area, but I can't get it to move at all. Tomorrow I'm going to pull the neck and try to curve it the opposite way with clamps and pieces of wood. I figure it'll either help unstick the truss rod or maybe add enough relief to make it more playable. If all else fails, I'll look for another used neck or have a new one made. If you have any suggestions I'd be happy to hear them. Thanks for checking up on me!

[dubtrub]

Sounds like this neck may be in need of some surgery.

Once you can access to rear of the neck, hopefully there will be an truss rod opening. That's the way it is on my 71-2 bass. I had to use a wooden dowel and tap on the truss rod to get it to break loose and move. I first tried pushing it out the front headstock end but it dead ended into the routing recess for the adjusting nut. So I tapped it out the rear of the neck. I did have to remove the plastic covering over the end of the neck next to the pickup. If there is no opening and you can't forcibly pull the truss rod out the front, before giving up I would resort to surgery.

I would try to estimate the location of the truss rod and drill a hole from the rear of the head stock until the drill bit is felt hitting the end of the truss rod. Then use the wooden dowel or small steel rod and try tapping it forward. If you drill the hole big enough you may be able to drift the truss rod out the back.

Last resort would be to remove the fret board and replace with a new one, that is after the truss rod problem has be resolved. This would be a lot simpler than building an entirely new neck and would keep it pretty much original.

Finally, if all else fails, send the neck to me and I'll try and fix it for you.