Truss rod cover

mark_g · Post by **mark_g** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 6:59 am

Is there any trick to removing the truss rod cover for a 330-12 without loosening several strings.
Thanks
Mark

jdogric12 · Post by **jdogric12** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 7:25 am

You can probably pull the strings to the side without detuning.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 7:38 am

Not possible, Jdog. (BTW, switch hasn't arrived yet...)

The Octave strings must be detuned at minimum.

jdogric12 · Post by **jdogric12** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 8:10 am

Really? McGuinn does it in his video. He just digs his fingernails in and picks 'em out.

And if it's in a video, it's got to be true! ...right...

notviceversa · Post by **notviceversa** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 8:26 am

I have done it here myself too. I stick my finger under the strings around the fifth fret and then move up towards the nut. No detuning done. Kenny showed me this trick. Which I belive he said he learned from the McGuinn video.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 8:34 am

I stand corrected, gentlemen...don't have the McGuinn video, and although I own a bunch and have repaired a bunch more, it's never too late to learn a new trick!

jdogric12 · Post by **jdogric12** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 10:55 am

McG doesn't even put the bottom two screws in when he replaces it, since the strings hold it in place! How's that for efficiency? Eh?

mark_g · Post by **mark_g** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 11:17 am

Many thanks. This brings up another question. The technician that sets up my guitar string it so that the G unison goes to the tune that is directly opposite the D unison. The G octave crosses over the unison to the first tuner on the treble side. The B and E pairs are done the same. The idea being, I suppose, that the G unison and the first string of the B, E pairs go to the tuners as if it were a 6 string. Is this typical as it is not the way it was strung in the past. It makes a certain logical sense.
Mark

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 10:22 pm

Roger McGuinn has been playing a Rickenbacker for decades, so I would be surprised if he didn't have a few tricks up his sleeve. Certainly his video is legendary. You have to love the ease with which he plays.

I have been able to get the truss-rod cover off by pushing over the strings to get to the screws, and then slipping the nameplate out very carefully while lifting the taught strings out of the slots. That this can be done is clear.

I have noticed at the same time, however, that this is not a comfortable feel for me and adds additional pressure to the headstock while placing the surface of the nameplate close to the strings and at risk for scratching its surface.

Being a butter-fingered "would be technician" I came to the conclusion that the few minutes it takes to loosen the strings was well worth the effort and the peace of mind that I would not damage the truss-rod cover or exert an unnecessary force to the headstock.

I confess to not appreciating the physics of the added pressure to the headstock and its risk for harm. For me, it just doesn't feel comfortable and I am not in a hurry to check out whether an adverse outcome would be covered by the RIC warranty.