Installing a trussrod adjustment slot on a bass body

Tips on set-up, repair, mods, pickups, preamps, parts upgrades and all things related to keeping your bass playing, sounding and looking like a champ.

Moderator: Rodent

Post Reply
User avatar
Rodent
Posts: 1184
Joined: March 10th, 2008, 7:00 pm
Location: Seattle, WA USA
Contact:

Installing a trussrod adjustment slot on a bass body

Post by Rodent »

I've seen a lot of discussions lately about people needing to remove their necks to adjust the trussrod ... for those who have a body without a trussrod adjustment slot, here's a workflow to add this feature to your bass

This job is easier since I'm working an unfinished body where the centerline is readily visible, and it will be covered with a pickguard so the slot won't usually be visible (allowing you room to route a sloppy slot if your router skills are less than phenominal :D or should that be :oops: )

Step 1 is to mark the neck/body centerline, and then draw a line parallel to it 1/2 the diameter of the bullnose (aka core bit) router bit. Once marked, use double stick tape to secure a routing guide for the router bit bearing to follow on

Image

Step 2 is to route the slot utilizing three passes, each one about 1/8" deeper than the previous

Image

Here's what the bit looks like in the slot with its bearing following the edge of the routing guide

Image

And a pair of images of the final results

Image
Image

All totalled this took about 30 minutes if I include the time I spent looking for my box of router bits (they were behind something I slid onto the shelf when cleaning the shop last weekend :x )

It's a simple job that will save you loads of frustration if you have a heel adjust neck and no adjustment slot in your body. Once completed, the need to remove a neck to adjust the trussrod is completely eliminated. In the case of this bass build, the new owner will simply need to remove the pickguard before turning the trussrod. Nice! :D

all the best,

R
User avatar
fivebass52
Posts: 3628
Joined: November 26th, 2008, 6:14 am
Location: Oahu, Hawaii
Contact:

Re: Installing a trussrod adjustment slot on a bass body

Post by fivebass52 »

Thanks for the instructional.... good thing I didn't get the chance to use my hammer and chisel method! :lol:
R&B Stretch Bass, Walter Woods 1000w Green-Light Stereo Amp, AccuGroove El Whappo and TR112, assorted axes, amps, cabs...
http://www.myspace.com/thestrangershawaii
User avatar
AzWhoFan
Posts: 2866
Joined: March 14th, 2008, 10:57 am

Re: Installing a trussrod adjustment slot on a bass body

Post by AzWhoFan »

Rodent, I can't tell you how much I appreciate your tutoriala.

Makes me want to go out and buy the wife all kinds of power tools .... :lol: :lol: :lol:
Post Reply