So I was gifted a 2011 SG bass

ilan · October 19, 2025, 12:40:41 PM

The poor bass had a serious bow in the neck and the truss rod was maxxed out. Two luthiers said that the truss rod will need to be replaced. The owners didn't want to spend that much money on a repair, it was bought for their son who lost interest, so they gave it to a friend and she gave it to me.

I replaced the torn nut and cranked the truss rod as hard as I could. I never did this to another bass. The neck still has some relief, but with 040 strings I could set it to what I'd call medium action. It's playable.

EDIT: Gave it another half-turn today. The neck is almost dead straight, and we're definitely in low action territory.

First time I have a bass with the 3 point bridge. Finally I get why you all hate it so much.

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Pilgrim · October 19, 2025, 02:23:55 PM

I'm not among the haters - I've had a couple and was always able to get decent string height. I did have one of the mounting sockets pull loose on a Casady bass, but a bit of super glue fastened it back in nicely.

I find my SG very pleasant to play with its light weight and short neck.

morrow · October 19, 2025, 04:17:59 PM

One of the ones I play frequently , something about the tone. Love mine. I dropped a Hipshot in mine but have to confess I was always able to get the 3 point exactly where I wanted things.

Basvarken · October 20, 2025, 04:54:18 AM

Have you tried to place an extra ring in front of the nut of the truss rod? This can help to extend the working range of the truss rod a bit.

exiledarchangel · October 20, 2025, 02:33:44 PM

Quote from: Basvarken on October 20, 2025, 04:54:18 AMHave you tried to place an extra ring in front of the nut of the truss rod? This can help to extend the working range of the truss rod a bit.

True, I did that to a friends Les Paul and it did the trick.

amptech · October 21, 2025, 03:52:35 AM

Quote from: Basvarken on October 20, 2025, 04:54:18 AMHave you tried to place an extra ring in front of the nut of the truss rod? This can help to extend the working range of the truss rod a bit.

I have done this to a 60's EB3 and it worked.

ilan · October 21, 2025, 09:20:30 AM

I added a washer because the acorn nut was sinking into the wood.

I gave the truss rod another half-turn today. The neck is almost dead straight now, and we're definitely in low action territory.

Basvarken · October 21, 2025, 10:06:23 AM

Excellent. Congrats.

morrow · October 21, 2025, 12:31:20 PM

I didn't fall for my SG right away , but it seemed the more I played it , the more I came to like it. Today it's a favourite.