1512 truss rod repair/bolt on neck

[guildnotth]

Newbie here. Picked up a 1512 which is in great shape other than the truss rod nut (4 mm allen key) is stripped. The nut seems to be a long way back in the neck from the sound hole, well back of the cross brace. Certainly more than the Takamine 12 string this replaces where the nut was right in the cross brace. The first shot with my fat fingers only shows the hole in the neck block. The second shot just shows the head of the truss nut, about 2 1/2 inches from the edge of the soundhole.

Is this normal for Guild? If I can't get it out with normal tricks like a Torx or extractor, I may have to remove the neck. The mahogany plugs in the neck block seem to indicate this is a bolt on? Am I correct?

Appreciate any help. I have built a 6 string (pic) with a dovetail so have some skills but don't consider myself a luthier

 

[odisp]

I'm not sure I can help you out with your question but I had to ask - did that acoustic of yours make an appearance on twoodford's bench recently?

 

[Guilderland21]

If I remember, I can take a look at my F-1512 tomorrow and check how far back the truss rod nut is on it. Don't think I've needed to adjust it myself.

Edit: I believe you're correct that it's a bolt-on neck.

 

[F-412Spec]

The modern Martin truss rods are also way back in there.

Seems odd this would be broken or stripped, as it has to be a fairly new guitar. If you cannot remove the nut, how do you know it's stripped instead of the rod being broken?

At any rate, it's fairly simple to remove a bolt-on neck to get a closer look at the problem and easier access to a solution. I'd also use the Ryan method to cover the bolts when you finish. If I recall correctly they use magnets. Much simpler to deal with than dowels.

 

[GardMan]

What is the guitar in the 3rd pic?

That doesn't look like any Guild I recall seeing, either US or MIC. It is definitely NOT and F-1512...

EDIT: never mind... That's the 6 string YOU BUILT. Got it!

 

[chazmo]

That doesn't look like any Guild I recall seeing, either US or MIC. It is definitely NOT and F-1512...

Hahaha.. No, that's certainly not a Guild!

 

[guildnotth]

I'm not sure I can help you out with your question but I had to ask - did that acoustic of yours make an appearance on twoodford's bench recently?

You are Cory. Excellent eye. It is modelled after a Bozo

 

[guildnotth]

Hahaha.. No, that's certainly not a Guild!

No it is definitely not! LOL. See my comment above. It is modelled after a Bozo and you can see the neck reset on Ted Woodford’s YouTube site

 

[guildnotth]

The modern Martin truss rods are also way back in there.

Seems odd this would be broken or stripped, as it has to be a fairly new guitar. If you cannot remove the nut, how do you know it's stripped instead of the rod being broken?

At any rate, it's fairly simple to remove a bolt-on neck to get a closer look at the problem and easier access to a solution. I'd also use the Ryan method to cover the bolts when you finish. If I recall correctly they use magnets. Much simpler to deal with than dowels.

Definitely stripped. Someone used the wrong size Allen key and ripped the crap out of it

 

[F-412Spec]

Someone used the wrong size Allen key

Aha! I get it.

An EZ-Out should do the trick handily. Using 1/4" hex shafts and sleeves, you'll have to link together some short extensions to get the bit in position, but it should be doable.

 

[guildnotth]

You are Cory. Excellent eye. It is modelled after a Bozo

Darned voice to text. Obviously should say you are right. Of course you could be Cory under an alias

 

[chazmo]

I've been hesitating to give you a concerned reply, guildnotth, but are you past the return policy on your purchase?

Depending on the price you paid, a stripped out truss rod does not bode well. And, by the way, I had not heard that any of these guitars had bolt-on necks, but we don't get a lot of information about these.

 

[Guilderland21]

It turns out that my 2016 F-1512 has two truss rods. Both nuts are very slightly recessed into the brace above the soundhole, less than half an inch from the top of the soundhole.

 

[Prince of Darkness]

It turns out that my 2016 F-1512 has two truss rods. Both nuts are very slightly recessed into the brace above the soundhole, less than half an inch from the top of the soundhole.

That did come as a surprise to me Pretty sure they have since gone to a single, double action truss rod for all models

 

[Nuuska]

Am I right when I conclude that the HEX-SLOT is stripped instead of the THREAD ?

In that case - just use an extractor and insert new nut.

 

[Wilmywood]

I believe with this type truss rod there is no nut, the female hex is part of the rod, unless I am mistaken.

 

[Prince of Darkness]

I believe with this type truss rod there is no nut, the female hex is part of the rod, unless I am mistaken.

Yes, with double action truss rods, the hex nut is welded to the rod. So unlikely to be removeable

 

[guildnotth]

Thanks to Prince of Darkness and Wilmywood. Definitely a single truss rod in newer versions. I am unfamiliar with double action having used a single action rod in aluminum channel in my 6 string shown in my initial post. In that case the nut was removable as you can see in the neck reset video done on it by Ted Woodford mentioned by another poster here.

With respect to a comment about Martin trus rods being way in there, have a look at Woodford's other videos. Apparently old Martins were a beast to reset becasuse the truss rod extended to near the sound hole, under the top.

I've been hesitating to give you a concerned reply, guildnotth, but are you past the return policy on your purchase?

Depending on the price you paid, a stripped out truss rod does not bode well. And, by the way, I had not heard that any of these guitars had bolt-on necks, but we don't get a lot of information about these.

If the nut is welded in the case of the double acting rod, it will have to wait. The guitar was used and in in perfect condition otherwise with good neck bow and relief and low action. Also lots of saddle left if adjustments are needed over time. So it will be a while before I have to pull the fingerborad and replace the truss rod, fortunately. It is just the anal retentive engineer in me coming to the surface I am afraid

As per above, no immediate need and at $300 for the guitar it was worth it One can see the mahhoany plugs on the neck block but only the fingerboard will have to come off to replace the truss rod

THanks to all. Great site!!

 

[chazmo]

One can see the mahhoany plugs on the neck block but only the fingerboard will have to come off to replace the truss rod

I see the mahogany plugs, guildnoth, but do not necessarily assume that the neck is a bolt on. Anyway, good luck with the work ahead.

 

[SFIV1967]

It's most probably a bolt on neck. But not 100% sure. The second bolt might be under the black Guild label.

Ralf