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Spacers/washers on truss rods - what does it do?
Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 10:45 pm
by kennyhowes
In the case of Rickenbackers, at the headstock end of the rods.
When is it applicable, and what is the result? Discuss.
Re: Spacers/washers on truss rods - what does it do?
Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 10:48 pm
by jps
If you are referring to washers between the nuts and the spacer bar, that is smart engineering practice to minimize damage to the bearing surfaces while turning the adjusting nuts.
Re: Spacers/washers on truss rods - what does it do?
Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 11:29 pm
by weemac
jps wrote:If you are referring to washers between the nuts and the spacer bar, that is smart engineering practice to minimize damage to the bearing surfaces while turning the adjusting nuts.
Oh, I love it when you talk all technical!
Eden.
Re: Spacers/washers on truss rods - what does it do?
Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 11:31 pm
by jps
That's what she says!

Re: Spacers/washers on truss rods - what does it do?
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2014 10:22 am
by electrofaro
What material do you want the spacers/washers to be? We can't discuss without full details known

Re: Spacers/washers on truss rods - what does it do?
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2014 11:31 am
by jps
As unimaginative as it sounds I use stainless steel washers, so no matter how much lathering/rotating forces they get on the surfaces they shouldn't rust or deform.
Re: Spacers/washers on truss rods - what does it do?
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2014 12:15 pm
by kennyhowes
I should clarify: I'm referring to using washers etc to get the neck more straight when adjusting the rods.
Re: Spacers/washers on truss rods - what does it do?
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2014 1:03 pm
by jps
You mean if you run out of thread on the rods? I take you are talking about the modern rods, not the old style folded rods? If the former then you might want to take a look at the heel end of the rods to see if they are being pulled into the channels. This is a different issue than at the headstock end.
Re: Spacers/washers on truss rods - what does it do?
Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 5:08 pm
by johnallg
jps wrote:You mean if you run out of thread on the rods? I take you are talking about the modern rods, not the old style folded rods? If the former then you might want to take a look at the heel end of the rods to see if they are being pulled into the channels. This is a different issue than at the headstock end.
A later 90s/early 2000s issue.
Re: Spacers/washers on truss rods - what does it do?
Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2014 12:30 am
by Kopfjaeger
Kenny,
Have you run out of threads?? I agree about using the washers either as as sacrificial medium or as a gall prevention device between the hard nut and the softer block. if you've run out of threads and you still have too much relief in the neck, that's another issue.
Sepp
Re: Spacers/washers on truss rods - what does it do?
Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2014 1:56 am
by s4001
I've gotten brass sleeves at the hardware store. They cut real easy with a hand saw to whatever length you need.