Official Luthiers Forum!

Hello All,

I think there are only two ways to set up access to a truss rod. However, it seems like most of you
prefer access via sound hole.

Any particular reason?

Robert

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Everything has beauty, But, not everyone see's it!

Yeah, I got tired of cutting the access area and making truss rod covers !!! Plus it leaves more wood at the thinnest part of the neck.

As well, I dont drill an access hole thru the upper transverse - keeps punks who think that a truss rod should be always tighened, or use it to adjust action, away from doing it. So for those who dont know, truss rods adjust relief, not action (yes the action is affected by the rod, but thats not its primary purpose). If the relief of a neck is good, then something else needs work if the action is still off.

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Good points Tony. Sounds like you've had some bad experience with well-intentioned, but ignorant guitar owners.

I access through the sound hole as well...mainly because I like the cleaner look of an uninterrupted headstock. I've been using the StewMac Hot Rod double action model. In addition to the original question, I'd be interested in knowing what model others use and why.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

[QUOTE=TonyKarol]
As well, I dont drill an access hole thru the upper transverse [/QUOTE]

Tony,

Are you still able to access the truss rod with out to much trouble this way? I ask because on the 2 guitars I'm building right now I forgot to drill the access hole before closing the bodies. I thought I was going to have to put it at the head stock end, but would rather do it the other way.

Thanks!

its not so bad, just like a Larrivee, but I dont have the half round bent keys like they do .. you have to loosen the strings and get your hand in there to do it ... not a problem from my standpoint. You just feel aound and find the spot to insert the key - I have clients who do it so it cant be that bad. You shouldnt need to adjust the rod very often anyway - On my number one, which is 6 years old now, I have adjsuted the rod 2 or 3 times ever. Its rock solid that neck - black walnut.

BTW, I use the Allied luth rods - the new ones are awesome, very smooth. And they take up less room than a Hot Rod or Martin style rod in a box.

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Oh I am still a punk at heart Hesh . but I at least know how to work a truss rod

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Thanks fellow Punkers,

Via the sound hole, I shall go!

Robert

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Everything has beauty, But, not everyone see's it!

[QUOTE=ToddStock]
The hole can be drilled after the fact with a hex bit and a Milwaukee 90 Degree Drive or an offset drive adaptor.

Don't ask me how I know this.[/QUOTE]

I'm betting that you learned this the same way I did.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

[QUOTE=ToddStock] Yup...in retrospect, seems like a fair number of my mistakes could have been prevented by spending some quality time with a proctologist. [/QUOTE]

Reminded me of an old Johnny Carson joke. He was introducing Don Rickles and was referring to the number of failed TV shows he had been on. The quote was "Here's a man who has had hs hand in more pilots than an Air Force proctologist."

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars