#1
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Truss rod with a nut
I'm trying to add a bit more relief into a neck that is pretty flat. It has a truss rod with a nut at the head stock. When I turn the nut counter clockwise, it just loosens the nut. What am I missing here? What should I be doing to add some relief? Thanks
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Larrivee OM-03 Seagull SWS Maritime Mini Jumbo Alvarez AP70SB Parlor Alvarez AF60SHB Seagull Concert Hall Mahogany Harmony H1215. 1953 An 80 year old Kay (approx) Epiphone ES-339 Epiphone Les Paul 50's Standard 3 home built Strat's |
#2
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Adjustable truss rods are one of two functional designs. One type is "single-acting" and allows tightening of the nut of the rod to counter the strings' tension and reduce relief (bow) in the neck. Once the nut is completely loose, it has no affect.
The second design is a "two-way" or "double-acting" rod that allows actively adding or removing bow in the neck. There can be a small region in the rotation of the nut where turning of the nut neither bows nor un-bows the neck. Further turning of the nut will then either increase the bow or decrease the bow, depending upon the direction of rotation. If your guitar has a single-acting rod, once the nut is loose, it isn't capable of influencing the neck: it can't add more relief, only reduce relief to counter the strings. In that case, string tension might eventually bow the neck some, adding relief. Failing that, compression fretting is an option, as is judicious levelling of frets or removing the frets and planing the fingerboard, then re-fretting. Some have had success with heating and pressing the neck. If your guitar has a double-acting rod, it might just be in the "neutral" zone and further turning of the nut will again engage the rod and allow you to add relief. |
#3
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You could try heavier gauge strings...
This will almost certainly increase relief to some extent.
The make and model of guitar would help identity whether the instrument has a single or double action truss rod. If it’s the former then heavier gauge strings should increase relief. You may also find that leaving these on for a while increases relief even when you change back to your normal gauge How much relief are you looking for? Quite often a guitar will play perfectly with less relief if other aspects of the set up are fine tuned. I find 0.15mm is a good compromise on most steel-string guitars. |
#4
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From easiest to more complicated repair options IMO Option 1 fit heavier strings Option 2 file some relief into the frets Option 3 we heat the neck from the underside with a heat lamp and allow it to bend under string tension Option 4 we heat the fretboard and clamp it to try and "slip" the fretboard a little Option 5 remove frets plane the board refret Option 6 install dual action truss rod Steve
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Cole Clark Fat Lady Gretsch Electromatic Martin CEO7 Maton Messiah Taylor 814CE |
#5
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Thanks for all the info.
I went from 11's to 12's and this added just a little more relief. Just enough to put it where I like it. I left the nut just snug but not tight. Maybe this will add some bow in time.
__________________
Larrivee OM-03 Seagull SWS Maritime Mini Jumbo Alvarez AP70SB Parlor Alvarez AF60SHB Seagull Concert Hall Mahogany Harmony H1215. 1953 An 80 year old Kay (approx) Epiphone ES-339 Epiphone Les Paul 50's Standard 3 home built Strat's |