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50's era single truss rods?
Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 5:10 pm
by 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.
Re: 50's era single truss rods?
Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 5:21 pm
by 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.
Re: 50's era single truss rods?
Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 5:56 pm
by 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 (?).
Re: 50's era single truss rods?
Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 7:01 pm
by collin
kiramdear wrote: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?
Re: 50's era single truss rods?
Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 7:09 pm
by 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.
Re: 50's era single truss rods?
Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 10:13 pm
by collin
kiramdear wrote: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...
IMG_5122.JPG
IMG_5126.JPG
IMG_5131.JPG
IMG_5124.JPG
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.
Re: 50's era single truss rods?
Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 10:39 pm
by 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?...
Re: 50's era single truss rods?
Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 3:09 pm
by jps
collin wrote:erm.......yeeeeah.....body shots. Not so good on this little guy.
I bit too much of the Jenny Craig thing going on there, huh?
Re: 50's era single truss rods?
Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 2:04 am
by collin
jps wrote:collin wrote: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!
Re: 50's era single truss rods?
Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 5:43 pm
by beatlefreak
Looks like somebody wanted a Vox teardrop!
Re: 50's era single truss rods?
Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 7:53 pm
by jps
beatlefreak wrote:Looks like somebody wanted a Vox teardrop!
it certainly
does bring teardrops, doesn't it?
Re: 50's era single truss rods?
Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 2:48 pm
by kennyhowes
Dude, if you change your mind before beginning surgery, let me know. You can keep the parts!
Re: 50's era single truss rods?
Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 9:26 pm
by collin
kennyhowes wrote: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.