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Topic: Neck truss rods? |
Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 21 Feb 2003 12:56 pm |
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When did the guitar builders start using truss rods in the neck of their guitars?
There has been quite a bit of discussion on the Forum about the possible damage to the round neck of a guitar by installing a raised nut to facilitate playing with a bar. (Remember, I said playing with a bar not in a bar!)
I would think that installing a raised nut wouldn't make that much of a difference on a guitar with a truss rod in the neck. Incidently this is what I am planning to do on a recently acquired round neck tricone, (with a trussed neck).
Erv |
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Ron Randall
From:
Dallas, Texas, USA
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Posted 21 Feb 2003 7:59 pm
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Martin just woke up to the idea a few years ago. Duh!
Fender Strats have been like that since 1962 at least.
Taylor acoustics since the git-go in 1974.
I raised the nut on a Gibson Dobro roundneck a few months ago, and it pulled the neck a noticeable amount. The truss rod did compensate. I would not get too rowdy with the string gauges.
Hope this helps. |
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Tom Olson
From:
Spokane, WA
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Posted 21 Feb 2003 9:53 pm
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I'm not a guitar expert -- but, I think the main purpose of the truss-rod is to provide for compensation in the event of a warped neck. That is, I don't think the truss rod actually adds that much strength to the neck, it just provides you with a way to tweek the neck a bit if you have to.
Like Ron said, I think the main problem is when you try to put a raised nut on WITH medium or heavy strings. The added tension of the heavier strings plus the extra leverage provided by the raised nut is sometimes a little bit much for a round neck. |
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Herb Steiner
From:
Spicewood TX 78669
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 22 Feb 2003 8:59 am
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What gauge strings would your recommend? I plan on putting an A high bass tuning on the tricone. From high to low: E C# A E C# A.
Thanks,
Erv |
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R. L. Jones
From:
Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA
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Posted 23 Feb 2003 7:40 am
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Amem to the posts about heavy syrings, theres much more to concider here. I would use the raised nut,on a round neck only if you already have a round neck guitar,. I have a great Penco, round neck, dreadnaught made in Japan. Idone just that and the bridge began to come loose. Had to have it repaired.
If you are going to use a raised nut on a round neck, Install a tail piece to hold the strings. That way theres no strain on the bridge
R. L. |
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oj hicks
From:
Springville, AL
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Posted 23 Feb 2003 9:32 pm
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I haven't personally read the threads on the Forum where they discuss their concerns about raising the strings. But those with engineering background will conceed that what is occurring is the increase of a moment arm from the centroid of the neck. Look at it like having a lever pulling on something. The farther away from the centroid axis of the neck you get to impose the pull of the strings the greater is the bending moment imparted to the neck. Just the thoughts of a retired engineer. And just my speculation of the previously voiced concern.
oj hicks
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Stephen Gambrell
From:
Over there
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Posted 24 Feb 2003 11:20 am
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| Herb, you're right as usual. Gibson is credited with the adjustable truss rod(although Ivan Guernsey has a 30's Gibson, without a truss rod of any kind, that eats Weissenborns alive), but Martin was reinforcing the necks, too. Ron, they went to the adjustable truss rod in the late 70's/early 80's. Prior to that, they epoxied a piece of carbon steel square tubing in the neck, for reinforcement. The only time they didn't, was during WWII, when all the metal was going to the war effort, so Martin used a piece of ebony instead. They only switched to the adjustable rod to cut down on the number of non-adjustable guitars, with their lifetime warranties, being sent in for neck resets. |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 24 Feb 2003 12:43 pm
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Any help with the string gauges?
Uff-Da! |
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Jody Carver
From:
KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED
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Posted 24 Feb 2003 4:22 pm
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Herb
Is that the year you bought your Gibson??  |
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R. L. Jones
From:
Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA
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Posted 24 Feb 2003 7:25 pm
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oj hicks , well said, well put thats something i`ve been trying to relate to . Just dont have the treminology to make it understood. Any to say the least, its better to get a square neck to to play Dobro style.
Just an opinion
R.L. |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 25 Feb 2003 7:57 am
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String gauges?  |
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Stephen Gambrell
From:
Over there
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Posted 25 Feb 2003 9:05 am
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What kind of tuning you plan on using, Erv?
Uff-Da, y'all  |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 25 Feb 2003 10:10 am
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A high bass. From high to low: E C# A E C# A
Erv  |
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Stephen Gambrell
From:
Over there
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Posted 25 Feb 2003 6:48 pm
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Erv, try this:
.013
.017
.026
.035
.038 to .040
.045 to .046
You might want to experiment a little with the C# and A (5th and 6th)b ut that should be in the ballpark. |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 26 Feb 2003 8:45 am
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Stephen:
Thank you so much for the string gauges. I want enough meat there to activate the cones but not enough to do damage to the neck.
Thanks again,
Erv |
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