Truss rod problems with my new old guitar

Mr-M

I recently got an old 1983 Ibanez Roadstar from a fellow forum member. Great sounding guitar. The intonation needed some adjustment (and the action to a lesser degree) , but it played really nicely as the action was already reasonably good.

In trying to get the guitar set up how I wanted it, I found the truss rod to be extremely hard to tighten. So much so that one of my colleagues that was trying to help me with it (after I chickened out) managed to bend an alan key trying to tighten it. It won't budge past a certain point - that certain point being well short of where it needs to be. It loosens OK though. Also, for some reason despite being straightened a bit over where it was, the neck seems to have settled with the action higher than it originally was. ???

I took it to Mark at Andy McGibbon's earlier to have a look and give me an opinion. He reckoned it would make a great slide guitar. ? Basically, it needs a new neck as nothing can be done for the truss rod. His opinion was that it would break if he attempted tightening it further (he tried and failed).

I'm trying to source a new neck at the moment. There's one on ebay, but the seller won't ship to SA. Trying to work out something as I have friends in the USA he can ship to.

I don't blame the GFSA member (guidothepimp) I got it from at all as it wouldn't have been something he would have noticed. Like I said the action was OK from him. In my quest for perfection I managed to find the problem.

To make a long story longer, any opinions on other solutions that we might have overlooked? Doubtful, but one can hope...

AlanRatcliffe

Sounds like the rod is OK - you've just run out of adjustment range. Stewmac has a threading tool for threading the rod further on an installed rod, which should work to give you a bit more adjustment..

Ahhh.. here it is - only part of a kit though, which makes it kind of expensive for a once off job...
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_tools_for_Truss_rods/Truss_Rod_Rescue_Kit.html

Mr-M

Thanks Alan. That's a bit pricey though when a replacement neck costs under $100.

I just spoke to Andrew at Music Connection and it seems they have the tools to fix it. He mentioned two methods they have for fixing this. I'm taking it through tomorrow, so we'll see how the repair goes.

AlanRatcliffe

Mr T wrote Thanks Alan. That's a bit pricey though when a replacement neck costs under $100.

I just spoke to Andrew at Music Connection and it seems they have the tools to fix it. He mentioned two methods they have for fixing this. I'm taking it through tomorrow, so we'll see how the repair goes.

As a matter of interest, did you try simply adding an extra thick washer or two to the rod? Sorry - should have mentioned that first. It often gives you enough extra tweakage as long as there is enough thread for the nut to grab.

jeremy-Budgen

+1 to alan on the washer thing, we used to do this a lot in the uk at the music shop i worked with.

Mr-M

Alan Ratcliffe wrote As a matter of interest, did you try simply adding an extra thick washer or two to the rod? Sorry - should have mentioned that first. It often gives you enough extra tweakage as long as there is enough thread for the nut to grab.

That was the first of the two methods Andrew suggested. Second was the Truss Rod Rescue Kit. Happily they can do either for me.

I do find it strange that Andy's didn't seem to know about those methods of repair. I'm glad I asked around, otherwise I might have already spent money on a new neck based on their advice. I'll admit to not being an expert on guitar repair - amps and pedals are more my thing. I'm glad there are guys on here with the knowledge. Thanks for sharing it. 8)

MikeM

Think I'm going to be using him for my setups from now on! Sounds like a good guy to deal with.

Glad you're sorted man! ?

Mr-M

So Andrew and Jed managed to get it sorted with a big spacer they machined for it. The couple of washers didn't cut it. It's way better now. 8)

Andrew, Mando and Jed at Music Connection do great work. I've had guitars there before with similarly excellent results. I'm not sure why I go anywhere else...