Truss rod question

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Truss rod question

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turnermoran

Posts: 391
Joined: Feb. 6 2010

Truss rod question

Hi guys – if I inserted my Allen wrench to tighten a truss rod, and the feeling was like there was nothing engaging – like there was no tension whatsoever – is it possible the trust rod came un threaded?

This is in regards to a fenderr steel string acoustic guitar that was purchased by a student of mine from Guitar Center. It's right out of the box

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 6 2013 17:05:36

Jim Kirby

Posts: 149
Joined: Jul. 14 2011
From: Newark, DE, USA

RE: Truss rod question (in reply to turnermoran)

Could be broken - it happens. What happens if you turn it the other way - can you screw the nut off the threaded end of the rod? Can you tell if the rod is just rotating freely with the nut?

If it is unthreaded to start with, I'd guess the nut would just fall out.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 6 2013 18:30:52

ralexander

Posts: 797
Joined: Jun. 1 2010
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia

RE: Truss rod question (in reply to turnermoran)

Hey Brian - those guitars have what Fender calls a Bi-Flex truss rod - from Fender.com:

The Bi-Flex Truss Rod (used on most American and American Deluxe Series instruments) was designed by Fender in the early 1980's. Unlike most truss rods, which allow only convex neck adjustments (back bow), the Bi-Flex allows you to adjust for either a concave or convex bow. If you tighten the truss rod nut it bows the neck backwards. As you loosen the nut you will find the neck's neutral position (the truss rod is not in use). If you continue to loosen the nut you will feel a renewed tightening as the rod pushes against the walnut dowel causing the neck to bow forward.

http://www.fender.com/en-CA/support/articles/bi-flex-truss-rod/#prodRef

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 7 2013 11:23:25

Jim Kirby

Posts: 149
Joined: Jul. 14 2011
From: Newark, DE, USA

RE: Truss rod question (in reply to ralexander)

If it's a bi-flex (or what is generally called a double-action) rod, it shouldn't have too much of a spot in the middle where nothing is happening. The ones I've used don't feel like "there was nothing engaging" at any point during their travel from tension to compression or vice-versa. (Makes we want to go downstairs tonight and work on my Strat just to check.)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 7 2013 16:33:50

turnermoran

Posts: 391
Joined: Feb. 6 2010

RE: Truss rod question (in reply to ralexander)

Thanks guys. The guitar is in my students hand at the moment, but I will see you next week. And I expect your advice to have answered my question, and I will be able to make the adjustment.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 7 2013 17:00:47

turnermoran

Posts: 391
Joined: Feb. 6 2010

RE: Truss rod question (in reply to Jim Kirby)

Hey guys - so here's the latest on my truss rod dilemma:

the neck is bowed, and the action at the saddle is a mile high (or @ the 12th fret I should say). But the saddle needs to be cut down. And the nut slots need to be cut deeper too.
But the main problem is that there is *a lot* of tension already on the truss rod. I put reasonable tension via the wrench on it, and it seemed going tighter would break it.

So I'm thinking that if I lower the action at the saddle and nut, I will slightly decrease the tension on the neck. I can also take the strings off in the process and hope that with no strings on and the truss rod taught, maybe the neck angle will flatten out a bit (wishful thinking??). Maybe I can put light action strings on too.

but would you describe this situation as something worth of a warranty claim?
Can a brand new guitar have no truss rod tension to work with??

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 15 2013 22:42:14

estebanana

Posts: 9354
Joined: Oct. 16 2009

RE: Truss rod question (in reply to turnermoran)

I sounds like the instrument needs to go to a repair shop to be properly set up. It may not have been set up well to begin with. There are too many variables in steel string set up to say this or that will work. Take it over to Stewart Port. He will tell you in two minutes if the truss rod is malfunctioning or not. If it is then return the guitar and you can use his expertise as your basis for a claim. If not then have him do a set up.

_____________________________

https://www.stephenfaulkguitars.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 15 2013 22:49:54