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hello to everyone. this is my first post, i am installing a one way truss rod. and looking for some details like. how much deflection the rod should have from the finger board? should that deflection be at the center of the rod and taper to the ends?

im very new to this bulding stuff so any info or web page referral would be appreciated.

The center of the action should fall between the 6th and 8th fret on a 14 fret at body joint neck. most properly sized rods the rod nut will fall at the neck joint if it is a through the sound hole adjustable rod.MichaelP38904.6855787037

im bulding a lmi kit hermann hauser classical.

Hi Bob, welcome to the best guitar making forum on the planet!

Thank You for the welcome    i have been looking thru the archive, their is alot if good information their.

Bob,
Welcome to the OLF! I've never heard of putting a truss rod in a classical, and I'm suprised that your classical kit came with a truss rod. Classicals usually don't need a truss rod because nylon strings don't produce as much tension as a steel string. Is there some other reason why you are installing a truss rod in a classical guitar? Hope you can get all your information answered here!
Regards,
Tracy

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Tracy
http://www.luthiersuppliers.com

Im still very new to this bulding stuff. My reasoning was I have a inexpensive classical that has a truss rod. The neck was bowing up I was able to pull it back flat with the rod, I would like to have that option if I need it with this one. Are their any ill effects I should be considering by this instillation?    

Bob,
I'm no expert, but a few things I can think of is weight and balance of the guitar, and tone can be affected. I'm pretty sure you will not find a truss rod on a high-end classical guitar, but I could be wrong. Also, where would the nut adjustment be, nut end or end block? It may look strange with a truss rod cover on the peghead of a classical guitar, and in fact I don't think there is even room at the nut end for a truss rod cover. Maybe some of the experts can chime in. Have you cut the truss rod channel in the neck yet?
Tracy

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Tracy
http://www.luthiersuppliers.com

Tracy,

The adjustment would be at the end block. And no I havent cut the channel yet. I may reconsider the idea of a truss rod. It sounds like it would be nonstandard.
bob

I think if you wanted to add stiffness to the neck to avoid any future warping then a simple carbon fibre rod inlet into it would be a better solution than a truss rod. Better to prevent the warping than try to correct it afterwards. My guess would be that neither were really needed. If you're building from an LMI kit then their wood will likely be of a better quality than on your cheap guitar.

I actually use an ebony 'skunk stripe' to add stiffness on classical neck.

That said, Smallman has used a truss rod since 1990, but then I'm not too keen on the sound of Smallman guitars.

Colin

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

[QUOTE=LuthierSupplier] Bob,
I'm no expert, but a few things I can think of is weight and balance of the
guitar, and tone can be affected. I'm pretty sure you will not find a truss
rod on a high-end classical guitar, but I could be wrong. Also, where
would the nut adjustment be, nut end or end block? It may look strange
with a truss rod cover on the peghead of a classical guitar, and in fact I
don't think there is even room at the nut end for a truss rod cover. Maybe
some of the experts can chime in. Have you cut the truss rod channel in
the neck yet?
Tracy[/QUOTE]

Tracy

There are a few high end builders using trsuss rods in their classicals. I
think Greg Smallman here in Australia is one. I think Greg tensions up the
rod before final working of the fretboard. The theory is the tensioned
neck adds to sound of the instrument (more sustain?). Its purely for
acoustics rather than structural reasons. As has already been pointed out
some people live Smallman guitars while other hate them....same could
be said about alot of guitars.



kiwigeo38905.2677893518

Thanks Martin and Colin, I did not know that! Very good information. But I would guess the majority of classical builders do not use a truss rods. I learn something new everyday!
Tracy

_________________
Tracy
http://www.luthiersuppliers.com

I used one on my first classical. It does add to the weight and affect the balance. None of this is a deal killer. While I wouldn't do it again unless on special request I do use carbon fiber strips in the neck.

If your woodworking skills are not great a truss rod can give you a bit of adjustment for relief after it's all strung up. With a spanish heal/foot and no rod, once it's strung up what you get is what you get unless you do some minor/major surgery.

Bob,

My best advice if youre on your first instrument, forget about the truss
rod and keep things basic. If you start getting to adventurous on your
first build it increases the chances of problems/disasters that can often
kill your passion for luthiery.

On your next classical whack in some carbon fibre rods if you want to add
some reinforcement to the neck.

Great advice Martin, krrp things as simple as you can Bob, you'll get to know where to improve with time and believe me, the OLF will help you do just that!

Bob, welcome to the forum!

If you are concerned about the neck, I'd go ahead and install one or two carbon rods.... A lot easier than the truss rods and you'd have that base covered!

As far as a truss rod.....I agree with the rest of the guys!

Good luck...

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