Truss Rod Question.

oreca · Post by **oreca** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 5:14 am

When you take off the nameplate inside you have the two truss rods.
What does the big block do?

The reason I ask this is because that block is sticking out its chamber. That caused the nameplate to crack a bit in the corner near the screw.
If this is unfixable I'll leave it as it is, the neck is perfectly straight at the moment so it doesn't need to be adjusted.

adam_swapp · Post by **adam_swapp** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 5:45 am

The block is there to distribute the pressure from the nuts and keep them from digging into/compressing the wood.

Unscrew the nuts, remove the block, and look at it carefully. The blocks are not perfectly square; they are angled to fit the headstock and clear the nameplate. It is possible that someone removed the block earlier and reinstalled it backwards.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 2:36 pm

The block should have rounded edges, they should fit into the corresponding rounded cutout for them, in other words the rounded edges should be facing the body of the guitar. It's possible that the truss rods are too tight also as (I assume you have an early 80's guitar/bass or older) These have double-backed upon themself truss rods, the other end of the truss rods are right behind the block, (it goes right down the middle of the neck, reverses and then ends against the back side of the block) when you tighten the nut you are pulling the other end against the block, that is where the tension comes from the straightens out the neck, the truss rod wants to slightly separate inside the neck, it can't but it does exert pressure which makes the neck more straight because it has nowhere else to go. If your neck is perfectly straight it is possible that it is too tight. I'm not saying that it shouldn't be straight just that it is possible that it is too tight, also the ends could have slipped a little pushing the block over at an angle. I would do as Adam says, loosen your strings and then take off the nuts and inspect them. When you put it back together again tighten the nuts first, then tighten your strings and re-adjust the truss rods. It may take a few times adjusting to get it the way you like it again and it also may be better after you adjust it.

admin · Post by **admin** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 3:03 pm

Welcome to The Rickenbacker Forum RDY Jr. Feel free to Peruse the archives.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 5:00 pm

haha, thank you Mr. McCormack. I'll be perusin'

jps · Post by **jps** » Sun Apr 04, 2004 6:17 am

Wow, another new member! The name does seem somewhat familiar though. Do you by chance like Ampegs Bob? Hey, maybe Bobampeg would be a good user name, huh?
;0)

fred · Post by **fred** » Sun Apr 04, 2004 3:55 pm

When did Rickenbacker start using dual trussrods?

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Mon Apr 05, 2004 11:57 am

har de har har Jeffery, actually that kind of has a ring to it, bobampeg? hmmm? And actually I am a little partial to Ampegs.
Patrick , I forgot to mention this and this is important, if you do intend on checking the truss rods, when you tighten the strings again, make sure you relieve the tension on the the neck from the strings before you tighten the rods anymore, and actually you can tighten them before you bring it up to pitch if you like, just don't overdo it, if they feel lke they are getting tight, that's enough.
Frederick, They've been using them for many moons at least before the 60's I'm pretty sure, there are other people here who would know better than I would, anyone?