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I've been machining four necks over the past few days and all is going well. Today I cut my truss rod slots and three of them are perfect, but on one I missed my center line by about 1/32". My question is: is 1/32" enough off center to cause a problem? The groove is 1/4 wide and 3/8" deep. It is an Allied, two-way truss rod. I could cut a spline and fill the groove and recut if needed, but I didn't want to unless you gurus thought it was necessary.

Thanks,
Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

I don't think 1/32" is a big deal there Ron. I'm sure others with more experience than me will chim in.

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I'm not sure if i could see a 1/32" gap through my dirty glasses Ron but wait, someone with cleaner 4 eyes might say different!

Hi Ron is the neck taper and Mortice/Dovetail cut ? if it is not you could remark it centered on the truss rod slot, I do mine when the necks are still square blanks.

if you have to have the slot off center unless you are profiling very tight you have enough meat there, but can you make the access to the adjuster work ? RussellR38771.7735763889

Is it a head plate adjuster? If so you probably will want it dead on. Sound hole adjuster and it won't make much difference it seems to me.

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Ron, I made that mistake once, so I went ahead and bought a slightly wider truss rod(like a Martin style 2-way) and routed the slot back on center for the new rod!
Works every time!
Besides, you can always use the old rod for the next guitar!

Hope that helps!

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

Russ, that's a good idea. The neck has not been profiled, nor the tenon cut. The only problem here is that my peghead isn't wide enough, I'd have to add one ear, I guess.

Joe, it is soundhole adjustment.

A wider rod would work, too.

I was just considering whether adjusting the rod, with it not being dead center, would introduce a skew to the neck. I wasn't even considering it throwing the neck atteching point off center of the body.

I appreciate your input, fellows.

Serge, I guess I couldn't see it very well through my bifocals either.

Peter, how deep is the channel needed for that Martin style Rod?

Ronold man38771.9368287037

_________________
OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Don't worry about it.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

What Howard said!

1/32" off-center? That's less than a mm. What Howard said. Don't worry about it.

My ruler doesn't even READ 32nds!

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

I'm not going to worry about it. Great advice.
Actually, after thinking about it for a while, it really won't make any difference. I can center the neck as planned and drawn, and if the slot is off a hair all I really need to do is compensate at the adjustment hole in the neck block.

Thanks all
Ron

_________________
OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......