Official Luthiers Forum!

I'm building a 13 fret small body guitar with a slotted headstock. I am using a Hot Rod from stew mac. I don't really want to put the nut at the headstock because the truss rod cover might look kind of funny on a slotted headstock. But if I put the nut at the end of the neck it would really be a pain to adjust through the soundhole. What do most of you do on 12 and 13 fret guitars?? Can you fit your hand inside the soundhole to adjust??

Why a 13? just courious

Well, it's for a customer and that's what he wants.
He wanted something between a 12 fret and a 14 fret. It's actually a nice compromise

I've used this same truss rod and have had no problems adjusting through the soundhole. Just get a long enough allen wrench and you'll be fine. Also, remember to drill an access hole in the upper transverse brace for the allen wrench to go.

It is problematic when adjusting with the strings on however, and that's where I can see the advantage of the alternative adjustment nut.

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

Yup, thats what I would do! But remember to drill the access hole in the upper transverse brace for the allen wrench. I turn the wrench a little at the time and I'm able to adjust the action even with the strings on!

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

I found a short piece of steel tubing that fits nicely over the allen wrench. Once the wrench is in place, I slide the tubing between the strings onto the short leg of the allen wrench & lever away. For a slight adjustment, I usually don't have to slack the strings off.

Just don't forget to cushion the center of the rods (top, bottom and in between) with silicone or something. For the experienced, that may seem obvious. But, I made the mistake of not squeezing something in between the two rods on my first neck. If there isn't much tension on the rods they rattle when the neck is tapped and resonate with the A string.

I felt like an idiot. But, live and learn.