Truss rod maxed on a vintage Guild.

[Willy P.]

Hello. I am looking at a vintage early 70's Guild that I want except the truss rod looks maxed out, picture below. Is there anyone here with first hand experience with old Guilds with similar truss rod issues who have any thoughts? I do know this, if it was a Gibson I wouldn't touch it.

 

[Nuuska]

Hello

No definite answer for your question - but have you tried to turn the nut? In case there is no more thread left for it to turn - then easiest would be to remove the nut - put one or two washers in and replace the nut. That would bring another full turn available - maybe even two.

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

Agreed, what makes you think it's maxed out?

 

[Willy P.]

Agreed, what makes you think it's maxed out?

I got spooked by the length of threads sticking out of the top of the nut, but I don;t know if its maxed out.

I have a couple of Les Pauls that are 4-5 years old which I've adjusted the truss rod a bit due to variations of hot humid seasons and dry cold seasons. Both of those guitars don't have any threads sticking out of the top of the nut, they are flush.

The owner does say the nut still turns a little. I really like this guitar, and its a S-100 with a factory Hagstrom trem, which is a model I've wanted for awhile. Its in rough shape, which I don't care about as long as I can get the action where I like it, very low. But, I can do fret work, nut work and set-ups myself.

So you both think its safe to buy this guitar then?

 

[Willy P.]

Hello

No definite answer for your question - but have you tried to turn the nut? In case there is no more thread left for it to turn - then easiest would be to remove the nut - put one or two washers in and replace the nut. That would bring another full turn available - maybe even two.

Thanks for your reply. The owner says the nut does still turn a little bit. Should I have him confirm the neck isn't warped? And if its not, its safe to buy?

 

[Nuuska]

Little even bow is ok - warp not.

 

[GAD]

Thanks for your reply. The owner says the nut does still turn a little bit. Should I have him confirm the neck isn't warped? And if its not, its safe to buy?

You should do that with any guitar purchase.

 

[gjmalcyon]

Sometimes the truss rod is used in an attempt to resolve neck angle issues - that's not what a truss rod is for.

To check the neck angle, here is an article written by Frank Ford on frets.com:

FRETS.COM

 

[lungimsam]

Sometimes the neck needs a little help along the way. Assuming this is not a dual action rod and your goal is to eliminate relief and flatten the neck:

1. Unwind strings.
2. Loosen the trod nut, then have someone hold down the body (face up) on a table with the neck freely hanging off the table in the air like a diving board.
3. take your left hand at the first fret and slowly but with a little strength and common sense, gently flex the neck towards the floor. It won’t move much but you will see it flex. Hold it where you feel resistance and SNUG trod nut (not tighten). Use a screwdriver type socket wrench (NOT a ratchet or L-wrench or T-wrench) so you are less likely to turn the rod too hard. In fact, snugging should only take the strength of your thumb and first two fingers turning that straight handle socket driver.
4. Tune up. Check neck curvature and if it is now too flat you can now back off the nut if you need more relief.

Also, Dan Erlewine has a more comprehensive video on YouTube how to do this. I think the title is about how a truss rod works. He shows how to get a bowed neck flat.

If you still need more nut travel try the washer idea mentioned earlier in this thread and repeat hand straightening the neck.