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Pre-1984 truss rod question
Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2023 10:07 pm
by 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.
Re: Pre-1984 truss rod question
Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2023 11:32 am
by jps
Hey.
Kenny.
What are the neck's particular persnicketies?
Re: Pre-1984 truss rod question
Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2023 5:33 pm
by 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?
Re: Pre-1984 truss rod question
Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2023 5:36 pm
by scotty
Medieval racks are gonna be expensive....not that I'd know...
Re: Pre-1984 truss rod question
Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2023 8:57 pm
by kennyhowes
jps wrote: ↑Mon Oct 30, 2023 11:32 am
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.
Re: Pre-1984 truss rod question
Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2023 10:32 pm
by jps
kennyhowes wrote: ↑Mon Oct 30, 2023 8:57 pm
jps wrote: ↑Mon Oct 30, 2023 11:32 am
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.
Re: Pre-1984 truss rod question
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2023 9:03 am
by iiipopes
kennyhowes wrote: ↑Mon Oct 30, 2023 8:57 pm
jps wrote: ↑Mon Oct 30, 2023 11:32 am
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?
Re: Pre-1984 truss rod question
Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2023 10:38 am
by kennyhowes
iiipopes wrote: ↑Tue Oct 31, 2023 9:03 am
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.
Re: Pre-1984 truss rod question
Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2023 10:42 am
by kennyhowes
jps wrote: ↑Mon Oct 30, 2023 10:32 pm
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?
Re: Pre-1984 truss rod question
Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2023 11:11 am
by jps
kennyhowes wrote: ↑Wed Nov 01, 2023 10:42 am
jps wrote: ↑Mon Oct 30, 2023 10:32 pm
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.
Re: Pre-1984 truss rod question
Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2023 11:14 am
by kennyhowes
Today is the day I’m diving in. Wish me luck.
Re: Pre-1984 truss rod question
Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2023 12:34 pm
by jps
Good luck!
Re: Pre-1984 truss rod question
Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2024 2:06 am
by doctorwho
jps wrote: ↑Sun Dec 31, 2023 12:34 pmGood luck!
+1
Re: Pre-1984 truss rod question
Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2024 11:44 am
by 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.
Re: Pre-1984 truss rod question
Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2024 4:32 am
by doctorwho
Congrats!
