Re-routing truss rod channel on Harmony Sovereign

lonecedar · #1 09-04-2018, 03:13 AM

Hi All

I need to re-route the truss rod channel on a Harmony 1260. I have removed the neck from the guitar because it also is going to need a neck reset (probably along with a re-fret and leveling)

I have removed the fretboard. I want to replace the broken truss rod with a dual action truss rod.

I have seen the truss rod channel jigs online but they look like they are for the initial building of the guitar and not repair.

If you have done this what do you do to hold the removed neck and rout a straight line?

Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

-Pat

mirwa · #2 09-04-2018, 05:16 AM

I do it with an overhead router. i clamp the neck to a flat surface, jig the neck so it’s square to my router and then route it slowly to height, test fitting the truss rods as I go along.

Not everyone has an overhead router, so you could make some 4x2 wood rails to allow the router to slide on and simply clamp the neck flat to a surface.

Steve

mirwa · #3 09-05-2018, 02:04 AM

Example of one I have done.

Mounting it level, is the most crucial part

Steve

B. Howard · #4 09-05-2018, 04:51 AM

Or you can use a few small screws to attach a straight edge to the neck and use a bit with a pilot bearing in a trim router.

lonecedar · #5 09-05-2018, 02:11 PM

Thanks for the replies everyone...

Brian - are you saying to position the neck at a right angle to the router??

Not sure I am picturing what you are describing.

John Arnold · #6 09-06-2018, 02:13 AM

I cut them face down on a table saw or router table...the same way I cut the slot in a rough neck blank.
I tape a 1/4" thick tapered piece of wood to the side of the neck, and use it as the guide running against a fence on a router table or table saw. The angle on the tapered piece matches the angle on the edge of the neck, so that the outer edge is parallel with the centerline of the neck.
This tapered piece should be wide enough to clear the width of the headstock, so the headstock doesn't touch the fence.

B. Howard · #7 09-06-2018, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonecedar

Thanks for the replies everyone...

Brian - are you saying to position the neck at a right angle to the router??

Not sure I am picturing what you are describing.

Take a piece of 1/4" plexiglass at least as long as the FB or neck and at least as wide as your router base. Drill a few countersunk mount screw holes about 1/4" back from the edge. Position the edge of plexi at edge of new truss channel and screw to neck. Srew or clamp the other side to the edge of a workbench with the neck hanging off the front. Now simply cut along the straight edge with a router and a top piloted bit of the proper size. You may need to adjust the distance between the template and neck with a shim to get the correct depth or make a cut with the template and finish with a second cut to proper depth without the straight edge.