50's era single truss rods?

[collin]

I am gearing up to adjust the truss rod on a '59 450 and curious to know if the single rod is the same style as the dual rods?

If so, is the adjustment procedure the same (except with one truss rod instead of two) ?

The neck has a slight bow, towards the heel end, and being a neck-through, it can't be a neck angle issue.
Action is close, but a little high for my taste further up the fretboard.

[jingle_jangle]

Yup--it's a "bobby pin" type rod.

Can you pull it out? If you can, do so and let the neck rest for awhile. If you can't, follow standard "old style" procedures and let us know if this is satisfactory.

On a guitar that old, the type of bow you describe (if I'm reading you correctly) can be from more than one factor, and may need heating/clamping to straighten it before you reinsert the properly-arced rod and set it up again.

[kiramdear]

Can you take some pics for us, Collin? I'd be very interested to see what you've got there.

My 325V59 has a single rod, too, but needs no adjustment. I don't suppose they would have built it with the old style rod (?).

[collin]

Can you take some pics for us, Collin? I'd be very interested to see what you've got there.

sure, like pics of the action or something? The rod?

[kiramdear]

Yeah, please, maybe a peek under the TRC when you get it open, and a look at the action. A body shot would be welcome - I just love 450s and would like to learn a little more about the older ones. An old twelver is number one on next year's to do list.

[collin]

A body shot would be welcome - I just love 450s and would like to learn a little more about the older ones.

erm.......yeeeeah.....body shots. Not so good on this little guy.

This is the poor little hacked job described in the "Oh the horror" thread in the online sightings section...

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All original parts present.
It's getting a full resto. New maple wing bits, anodized pickguard and JG finish. Actually plays decent and sounds excellent as-is. Poor thing.

I will take some pics of the action/truss rod as I go along.

[kiramdear]

Oh, OK, I gotcha. I still think it's a great project for you. Yes, please keep us up with how you do with it.

Now, where's my popcorn?...

[jps]

erm.......yeeeeah.....body shots. Not so good on this little guy.

I bit too much of the Jenny Craig thing going on there, huh?

[collin]

erm.......yeeeeah.....body shots. Not so good on this little guy.

I bit too much of the Jenny Craig thing going on there, huh?

Yep. Brings "cutting back" a whole new meaning!

[beatlefreak]

Looks like somebody wanted a Vox teardrop!

[jps]

Looks like somebody wanted a Vox teardrop!

it certainly does bring teardrops, doesn't it?

[kennyhowes]

Dude, if you change your mind before beginning surgery, let me know. You can keep the parts!

[collin]

Dude, if you change your mind before beginning surgery, let me know. You can keep the parts!

toooooo late, sorry Kenny!

Stripped the finish and frets today. Frets were at about 40%, and if I'm gonna refinish....might as well refret too.

Haven't started cutting into the body, but any day now.....gotta cut further to get a clean mating surface for the new maple.

I'll start a new thread for the resto.