Looking at picking this bass up new and was wondering how difficult it is to access the truss rod? Do you have to remove the neck completely? I've setup basses in the past but I'd say I'm still a beginner as far as setup goes. Thanks in advance!
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MIM Geddy Lee Jazz Truss Rod
- Thread starter Mario Keresztes
- Start date
Turnaround
Commercial User
- May 6, 2004
- 10,889
- 22,427
- 6,476
- Disclosures
- Independent Instrument Technician - Retired
I just talked to Zzounds customer service and the Geddy MIM has the truss rod where the neck meets the body.
Turnaround
Commercial User
- May 6, 2004
- 10,889
- 22,427
- 6,476
- Disclosures
- Independent Instrument Technician - Retired
Quoting myself:
"Lay the bass down on its back on a suitable surface to protect the finish [spaced up on a couple of books if necessary]. Hold down the butt of the body for example with a knee. Press down on the headstock just enough to relieve the tension on the truss rod, then it should turn very easily."
"I did it exactly [this] way with a Vintera P, on the floor on my knees with one knee on the bass, so I could keep a very close eye on where the tool was engaging the X slot in the rod at the heel, in order to not scratch the pickguard (subject of so many immortal threads), and I did not scratch it."
Don't use a Phillips screwdriver (wrong tool for the job) or a big flat screwdriver; I used a very small flat bladed screwdriver and engaged only 1/4 of the X slot - the 1/4 slot that is always above the surface of the body. It should turn very easily unless something else is wrong.
"Lay the bass down on its back on a suitable surface to protect the finish [spaced up on a couple of books if necessary]. Hold down the butt of the body for example with a knee. Press down on the headstock just enough to relieve the tension on the truss rod, then it should turn very easily."
"I did it exactly [this] way with a Vintera P, on the floor on my knees with one knee on the bass, so I could keep a very close eye on where the tool was engaging the X slot in the rod at the heel, in order to not scratch the pickguard (subject of so many immortal threads), and I did not scratch it."
Don't use a Phillips screwdriver (wrong tool for the job) or a big flat screwdriver; I used a very small flat bladed screwdriver and engaged only 1/4 of the X slot - the 1/4 slot that is always above the surface of the body. It should turn very easily unless something else is wrong.
Last edited:
Aside:
@Mario Keresztes, if this bass is recently manufactured, with the Fender Geddy sig bridge (which is also being used on the U.S. made Geddy), I advise you that the string spacing is uneven (as can be seen in photos of the bass at retailers). I felt I had to fix it but I guess it doesn't bother most people.
I also despise the slots in the tuner posts, but I digress.
@Mario Keresztes, if this bass is recently manufactured, with the Fender Geddy sig bridge (which is also being used on the U.S. made Geddy), I advise you that the string spacing is uneven (as can be seen in photos of the bass at retailers). I felt I had to fix it but I guess it doesn't bother most people.
I also despise the slots in the tuner posts, but I digress.
This last paragraph is correct: do not use a Phillips. There is no need to loosen the neck if you can see half the head of the truss nut. Get a driver like this (but long shaft) that has a blade the same width as the shaft. Put a piece of painters tape on the PG to protect it from scratches.