sheared truss rod, fretless?

[wellREDman]

Ive had a squire P-bass donated that has a sheared truss rod. Ive looked into how to fix it and it seems way too hardcore for what it's worth,

 The action as fixed is not crazy high, just a bit too high to be comfortable, I  am wondering is whether i can get some use out of it by making it fretless? it seems to me that if there were no frets to buzz I could get the action way lower at the bridge end to compensate for the TR not moving. I realise it wont be an amazing fretless but it might be ok to give my students something different  to make a racket with.

Thoughts?

[Basvarken]

Depends how the neck is now.
Is it straight or does it have a bow?

If it's fairly straight you could try to put a shim in the neck pocket. Maybe that helps to get a better action.

[Highlander]

It will "buzz" on the neck if there is an adverse bow to it so fret removal, filling and/or coating the neck will not resolve this, unfortunately...

Could a hole be drilled into the bridge end of the neck large enough to withdraw the broken rod and replace it that way...? Can't think of a reason why not...

[Dave W]

It will "buzz" on the neck if there is an adverse bow to it so fret removal, filling and/or coating the neck will not resolve this, unfortunately...

Could a hole be drilled into the bridge end of the neck large enough to withdraw the broken rod and replace it that way...? Can't think of a reason why not...

Ken, I agree that making it fretless will not solve the problem if there's backbow. However, if it's a conventional truss rod, getting the rod out is not as easy as you think. It can be done, even on a one-piece maple neck anchored at the headstock end, but it's involved.

I would go with Rob's suggestion, and if that doesn't work, look for an inexpensive replacement neck.

[drbassman]

Removing the rod is a major chore that I'd only do on a very high quality/value neck worth saving.  Stew Mac makes a neat little kit for rethreading the rod from the top.  Is this adjustable from the top or the heel?

[Dave W]

Removing the rod is a major chore that I'd only do on a very high quality/value neck worth saving.  Stew Mac makes a neat little kit for rethreading the rod from the top.  Is this adjustable from the top or the heel?

The Stew-Mac kit costs $245, you could buy a new Squier P for that! May be worth it if you're in the repair business or trying to save an expensive neck.

[Highlander]

Done a bit of studying... buy a replacement neck... several on greedbay, some for less than £40

Or try playing with the neck - not much to loose...

[wellREDman]

cheers for the advice guys

[drbassman]

The Stew-Mac kit costs $245, you could buy a new Squier P for that! May be worth it if you're in the repair business or trying to save an expensive neck.

I agree Dave.

[Rob]

Done a bit of studying... buy a replacement neck... several on greedbay, some for less than £40

Or try playing with the neck - not much to loose...

+1 on this.
Replace the neck and use the old one as a towel bar or something.