Official Luthiers Forum!

A guy I’ve known since before Sargent Peppers asked if I would take a look at
an A style mandolin that was made by a small builder.
The old neck broke at the nut. From the bottom of the truss rod channel to the back of the neck is around 1mm at the nut
The plan is to use mahogany for a new neck.

My questions are
Does a mandolin need a adjustable truss rod.
Could a carbon fiber rod be used instead of a truss rod.

_________________
Say what you do, Do what you say.

I think StewMac sells them, so some makers install them new. I see no reason why carbon fiber can't be used, if you so desire.

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

I'd honestly be hesitant to purchase any instrument, even one as short as a mandolin, without a truss rod. I can't think of any major mandolin builder that doesn't use them.

And I'm a fan of truss rods too. Here in Michigan people let instruments dry out and we can usually save them if they have a truss rod. If not, it's a different and sad story at times.

Mandolins perhaps more so than guitars benefit from set-ups that are super low. I've been known to set some mandos at 2.5/64th high strings at the 12th and 3.5 low strings at the 12th. This requires some pretty precise and adjustable control over the fret plane.

So I would argue that it's not only a serviceability function that a decent truss rod provided it's also a playability benefit.

Thanks for the answers.
I’ll put a truss rod in the new neck.
I think I can add a little more meat under the nut with a volute without getting in the way of the fretting hand.

_________________
Say what you do, Do what you say.