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Neck was straight and fingerboard as well. Once I instaled the truss rod and glued the fingerboard up, the fingerboard now has a backbow.

I put a strainght edge across the board from end to end and the middle is up, and the ends have a gap of around .009 about even on both ends.

I put a clamp in the middle with the ends blocked and applied a little heat thinking it might settle. No movement.

Now here is my concern and question. I have the neck bolted up to the body and looks like the action is just about right. No frets installed at this point.

Part of me is thinking when I string it up the string tension might pull it straight. The othjer part of me thinks I should level it with sanding and then fret it because if it then pulls up more than I need I can adjust it back with the truss rod.

If I sand it level and then fret it, and then string it up, chances are I will end up with a dip.

Am I going about this the right way?? Level it, fret it and then adjust with truss rod?

[QUOTE=rich altieri] Am I going about this the right way?? Level it, fret it and then adjust with truss rod?
[/QUOTE]

^^^ Yep ^^^ I would do it just as you described above.

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

Am I the only one that uses double-action truss rods?

Yes, I learned my lesson too... now it is double action all the way.

One thing I am not seeing anyone mention in these conversations is simulating string tension. When I flatten my fingerboard I have a tiny bit of tension on the rod and use 6# weights on both sides of the upperbout to simulate the neck under string tension.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

I think I will try this for my next build. Are both adjustments at the sound hole or do you have to adjust from the headstock?? Where do you get yours?

Here's how I'm doing my current one, & may continue.

I've strung it up to pitch unfretted, let it settle for a day or two. Put it in a jig like stew mac's to simulate string tension. remove strings, nut tuners #1 & #6. Sand the board to my radius, flat along length. Fret, add cherry on top and enjoy!

Pix to come later!

Hi Rich

The adjustment for double action is on a single nut, but is a double rod design that can more the neck either way, Stemac do a whole range Soundhole and Gibson Style, but Allied Lutherie is probably the best place I've found price and quality wise.

Russell...My experience:

Allied rod--crude welds, twisted bar, torn heat-shrink, rough threads.

Stew-Mac rod--everything clean, neat and square, for just a couple of bucks more.CarltonM38659.4884953704

I use the TRSD type double action truss rod mostly now days but I have to admit I have rarely have had to add any up-bow. However I level my fretboard at neck installation and install frets afterward. I know some pre load the rod before leveling. but I have never found a need.MichaelP38659.5243634259

[QUOTE=RussellR] Hi Rich

The adjustment for double action is on a single nut, but is a double rod design that can more the neck either way, Stemac do a whole range Soundhole and Gibson Style, but Allied Lutherie is probably the best place I've found price and quality wise.[/QUOTE]

Russell,

Touchstone Tonewoods sell Gotoh 2 way adjustable truss rods of different lengths that are pretty good value for money.

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Dave White
De Faoite Stringed Instruments
". . . the one thing a machine just can't do is give you character and personalities and sometimes that comes with flaws, but it always comes with humanity" Monty Don talking about hand weaving, "Mastercrafts", Weaving, BBC March 2010

[QUOTE=Dave White] Touchstone Tonewoods sell Gotoh 2 way adjustable truss rods of different lengths that are pretty good value for money. [/QUOTE]

Dave...I recently bought one of the Gotoh two-ways (rod in aluminum channel) and it looks to be of high quality; but, it's quite heavy compared to the LMI/Allied or Stew-Mac rods. Better, I think, for a solid-body rather than an acoustic.

[QUOTE=CarltonM] [QUOTE=Dave White] Touchstone Tonewoods sell Gotoh 2 way adjustable truss rods of different lengths that are pretty good value for money. [/QUOTE]

Dave...I recently bought one of the Gotoh two-ways (rod in aluminum channel) and it looks to be of high quality; but, it's quite heavy compared to the LMI/Allied or Stew-Mac rods. Better, I think, for a solid-body rather than an acoustic.[/QUOTE]

Carlton,

I use the Gotoh ones in all of my acoustic guitar necks combined with twin carbon fibre rods. I like the stifness that this brings, and I do fairly thin (from fretboard to back) neck profiles. The weight is just fine for me. Didn't I read somewhere that the LMI ones were prone to breaking at one stage or is this all fixed now? Everyone has their own favourites and designs though which is how it should be. The more I build, the more I realise that there are very few "right" and "wrong" ways to make guitars.

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Dave White
De Faoite Stringed Instruments
". . . the one thing a machine just can't do is give you character and personalities and sometimes that comes with flaws, but it always comes with humanity" Monty Don talking about hand weaving, "Mastercrafts", Weaving, BBC March 2010

Thanks Dave

How deep a channel do the Gotoh one require ?

I had some of Touchstones thinline two way ones, but for the life of me I could not figure out how they worked. They were two rods the same as a two way but the nuts screwed off, baffled me.

Russell,

The rods are abou 11mm wide and about 10mm (or just under) deep. I usually make the channel about 12mm deep, which leaves just enough for a mahogany cap to go above. They definitely have the nut that goes both ways (so to speak) with a neutral position in between. And they work. Here's a pic:



TT Catologue

Item 9587 in the Touchstone Catalogue

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Dave White
De Faoite Stringed Instruments
". . . the one thing a machine just can't do is give you character and personalities and sometimes that comes with flaws, but it always comes with humanity" Monty Don talking about hand weaving, "Mastercrafts", Weaving, BBC March 2010

Thanks Dave

I agree with Dave, I get the Gotoh from Touchstone.

Colin.

(Sitting in Raffles Hotel! I deserve a treat)

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

still not as nice as the peninsula, you decadent b_____d!

guess the macassar pirates missed you this time...

have a pleasant flight home.