Trussrod installation advice

kramersteen

kramersteen

PowerMetalRaph
I am in the process of installing a martin style truss rod into project build. I have the channel carved and the rod is fitting in there flush against the top of the neck.

I noticed on the ALS guitars parts site where i purchased the rod the instructions say to use a fillet of wood over the top and allow a 1mm gap to compensate for it. http://luthierssupplies.com.au/product_info.php?cPath=51_110&products_id=342

But on the stewmac instructions it says you dont need a fillet of wood? What is the best method? http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Truss_rods/Adjustable_truss_rods/Martin-style_Adjustable_Truss_Rod.html?tab=Instructions

I also noticed on thee lmii website it says to use silicon in the channel to prevent rattling? can someone please explain to me where the silicon goes? The rod is currently tight as i routed it out to 11mm then did the rest by hand. http://www.lmii.com/carttwo/TrussRodInstall.asp

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for the rookie questions.....
 
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Re: Trussrod installation advice

Here is my current progress. As you can see the rod is flush so if i was to use a fillet of wood i would have to take it down another 1mm. I already feel the martin rod is already taking up a huge part of the neck so i don't really want to take more wood out if i don't have to.
View attachment 39811
 
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Re: Trussrod installation advice

I would think the fillet of wood would be used so that the truss rod is held in by something other then just the finger board? I'm not sure though. If you're going to have a thin neck you might go too far and have the truss rod poke out the back of the neck if you make the channel deeper.
I've also heard about wrapping tape around the rod to stop rattling.
 
Re: Trussrod installation advice

Check out how Fender bass truss rods are installed, then don't do it that way. They rattle like hell. Also, I believe the martin rod is different than the Stew-Mac Hotrod.
 
Re: Trussrod installation advice

Thanks for the replies. the hotrod is totally different the link provided was to the martin style ones at stewmac
 
Re: Trussrod installation advice

jake_xms3_punk said:
I would think the fillet of wood would be used so that the truss rod is held in by something other then just the finger board? I'm not sure though. If you're going to have a thin neck you might go too far and have the truss rod poke out the back of the neck if you make the channel deeper.
I've also heard about wrapping tape around the rod to stop rattling.
Click to expand...

I did ask AlS and they said the only reason was so that the fretboard has more wood to glue down to. Then they said either way is fine. I just wanted to know what other people do. The rod has got tape along the bottom to prevent anything jamming it. Im guessing people would wrap tape around it if the channel wasn't tight enough for the rod?
 
Re: Trussrod installation advice

This statement from the stew instructions sounds wrong "Run a thin line of epoxy down both sides of the bottom of the slot" Why the hell would you glue down the side of the bottom when the rod is shaped in a u channel?
View attachment 39818
 
Re: Trussrod installation advice

Is Zerb really the only one on here who has constructive advice regarding guitar building? There must be other's who have experience in building necks.

Cant you all see i need help haha....
 
Re: Trussrod installation advice

kramersteen said:
Here is my current progress. As you can see the rod is flush so if i was to use a fillet of wood i would have to take it down another 1mm. I already feel the martin rod is already taking up a huge part of the neck so i don't really want to take more wood out if i don't have to.
View attachment 39811
Click to expand...

Just put a strip of masking tape a little bigger than the rout over it and glue on the fretboard. You can't use an alphatic resin on cocobolo boards though. Just put a couple of drops of GEII silicone along the bottom if you think it'll rattle Cheers.
PC
 
Re: Trussrod installation advice

Why can't you use alaphatic on cocabola? It is a very oily/waxy wood, but if you were to prep it by wiping it down with acitone would that not do the trick?
 
Re: Trussrod installation advice

If I were to do it the way StewMc states I would put a layer of tape on the bottom of the rod assembly to seal out glue. Then I would use a thin layer of epoxy on the sides of the slot and sides of the U-channel.Then press it home, clean up excess glue, and jently clamp in place. To reduce the amount of mess/clean up I would tape off the neck on each side of the slot.
 
Re: Trussrod installation advice

J E C said:
If I were to do it the way StewMc states I would put a layer of tape on the bottom of the rod assembly to seal out glue. Then I would use a thin layer of epoxy on the sides of the slot and sides of the U-channel.Then press it home, clean up excess glue, and jently clamp in place. To reduce the amount of mess/clean up I would tape off the neck on each side of the slot.
Click to expand...

Hey thanks for the tips. I cant wait till its done 36 fret shred machine in the making :33:
 
Re: Trussrod installation advice

J E C said:
Why can't you use alaphatic on cocabola? It is a very oily/waxy wood, but if you were to prep it by wiping it down with acitone would that not do the trick?
Click to expand...
It will come apart. I use the Smith All Wood Epoxy from LMI. Great stuff.
PC
 
Re: Trussrod installation advice

kilphody said:
Just put a strip of masking tape a little bigger than the rout over it and glue on the fretboard. You can't use an alphatic resin on cocobolo boards though. Just put a couple of drops of GEII silicone along the bottom if you think it'll rattle Cheers.
PC
Click to expand...


Don't you epoxy the rod in at all?
 
Re: Trussrod installation advice

If it's a good proper fit only a touch is needed at the ends IMHO. I've never had a problem. YET>lol
 
Re: Trussrod installation advice

RorySquier said:
Here's a link to a thread on this forum about a complete stratocaster guitar build. I believe the second video is where he installs a truss rod. Very interesting.

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?257004-For-those-interested-in-building-guitars&p=3395385#post3395385
Click to expand...

I did watch that. i learned alot from it actually, mostly where i went wrong in my build thus far. Not that i dont think mine will work or that its been done poorly just a few minor hurdles i have to work out.
 
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Re: Trussrod installation advice

^
At least now I know how it's done properly. I've never gone as far as to build an actual guitar myself, but I have done numerous wiring and pick up mods, and even scalloped a finger board. The videos showed the process very well. It gave me a much better understanding. There's tons of videos on YouTube, but sometimes it's hard to find a useful one. These vids were very useful, I might say.;)
 
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