Pre-1984 truss rod question

[kennyhowes]

Ok.

So.

I’m familiar with the truss rod system in the subject line, and how to straighten the neck on models from this timeframe. Very familiar.

But what are some tips for when a neck is being particularly persnickety, without having to get some kind of contraption that resembles a medieval rack?

Also, as the instrument I'm currently working on is a 12-string, any serious adjustment should be done with all strings off, yes?

Grazie mille in advance.

[jps]

Hey.

Kenny.

What are the neck's particular persnicketies?

[scotty]

What the hell is a pernickety snickery LOL.
Just get someone to hold the body whilst you hold the headstock and tighten when adjusted.
Turn up music loud and ignore loud cracks or bangs.


The strings should be up to pitch surely when adjusting so you get the correct adjustment?

[scotty]

Medieval racks are gonna be expensive....not that I'd know...

[kennyhowes]

Hey.

Kenny.

What are the neck's particular persnicketies?

I’m just trying to get the neck dead flat, and it’s not. Plays well, just want it, well, just right.

‘60s 12-string, so I’m trying to go gentle.

[jps]

Hey.

Kenny.

What are the neck's particular persnicketies?

I’m just trying to get the neck dead flat, and it’s not. Plays well, just want it, well, just right.

‘60s 12-string, so I’m trying to go gentle.

Are the rods fuly tightened now, or is there still a lot of threads protruding from the nuts?

Does it have any s-curve to the fingerboard? Something I learned on this very site is that removing the strings and totally slacking off the truss rods, then leaving the guitar for a few days for the wood to "reset", so to speak, that it may help take care of that.

[iiipopes]

Hey.

Kenny.

What are the neck's particular persnicketies?

I’m just trying to get the neck dead flat, and it’s not. Plays well, just want it, well, just right.

‘60s 12-string, so I’m trying to go gentle.

this opinion comes from owning three 1981 instruments with the old-style hairpin truss rods and playing them on stage for decades: 4002WG bass, 320JG guitar, and 360-12OS FG ckbd guitar. Sometimes you can only do so much. The wood can shrink, give a little at the stress points, and all other sort of reasons that the neck will not be dead flat, in spite of best efforts. Moreover, as we use lighter strings than when the neck was originally designed, there will be more string excursion due to lower tension at pitch, which on enthusiastic playing will cause fret slap. Are you really sure you want the neck dead flat?

[kennyhowes]

this opinion comes from owning three 1981 instruments with the old-style hairpin truss rods and playing them on stage for decades: 4002WG bass, 320JG guitar, and 360-12OS FG ckbd guitar. Sometimes you can only do so much. The wood can shrink, give a little at the stress points, and all other sort of reasons that the neck will not be dead flat, in spite of best efforts. Moreover, as we use lighter strings than when the neck was originally designed, there will be more string excursion due to lower tension at pitch, which on enthusiastic playing will cause fret slap. Are you really sure you want the neck dead flat?

I get that, but neck slap does not frighten me - my ‘81 12-string has it, with a straight neck, and yet still rings out like a bell.

[kennyhowes]

Are the rods fuly tightened now, or is there still a lot of threads protruding from the nuts?

Does it have any s-curve to the fingerboard? Something I learned on this very site is that removing the strings and totally slacking off the truss rods, then leaving the guitar for a few days for the wood to "reset", so to speak, that it may help take care of that.

Need to check - have not dived in on this just yet.

Yes, maybe such a reset is the way to go.

However, we just entered a cold snap. During the reset, should I have a humidifier going in the room?

[jps]

Are the rods fuly tightened now, or is there still a lot of threads protruding from the nuts?

Does it have any s-curve to the fingerboard? Something I learned on this very site is that removing the strings and totally slacking off the truss rods, then leaving the guitar for a few days for the wood to "reset", so to speak, that it may help take care of that.

Need to check - have not dived in on this just yet.

Yes, maybe such a reset is the way to go.

However, we just entered a cold snap. During the reset, should I have a humidifier going in the room?

I guess that would depend on the RH in your house/room already.

[kennyhowes]

Today is the day I’m diving in. Wish me luck.

[jps]

Good luck!

[doctorwho]

Good luck!

+1

[kennyhowes]

Well that worked out pretty good!

Left the strings slacked and the rods loosened for 2 days, had a humidifier going with the door shut (not 24/7, but for a good while). Today, bent the neck into place and gently tightened the rods down and tuned to pitch.

The neck is still not dead flat, but it’s a vast improvement.

I’m not sure how much good the steam from the humidifier did, but the reset has happened and the action is much better.

[doctorwho]

Congrats!