Rabbit wrote: I got a Vintage VRS100 which I really like, but on taking it to the local luthier, they told me that the neck is twisted (the relief is different for the high and low E strings). Tragic because it is an awesome instrument otherwise.

This may not help you with your truss rod problem, but if you are ever checking out a guitar again, be aware that some luthiers deliberately profile the fretboard so as to give a greater gap between the frets and the low E string (and other bass strings). This is because the bass strings tend to vibrate in wider arc than the treble strings (esp nylon strung guitars) and may cause buzzing on a completely flat fretboard.

Sighting by eye along the fretboard may give the impression that the neck is twisted. However if you measure the thickness of the fretboard on both sides at the nut, and then again on both side down at the 12th (for eg) you may see how the fretboard has been thinned out by a few mm on the bass side.

About the trussrod... are you sure its broken. These things are generally made of steel rod!!! Although i guess you may have stripped the threads or sumpting. If you want to play around, and if the bow is not too pronounced, you can try removing the frets and replaning the fretboard flat.

But unless is sounds totally shite, leave it as it is!

Thanks again for all the useful input!

Nitebob: I honestly did not realise that necks could be obtained so cheaply. I will definitely look into it!

Brastep: I never thought about different relief, though as you say, it makes perfect sense. But in this case, the neck ran flat from the body until about the fourth out fifth fret and then dipped on the one side and was flat or slightly raised on the other. I do not think it was intentional. But I have learnt something!

I am increasingly wondering whether the truss rod really did break given the feedback here. I think I will take beastie to another luthier for a second opinion...

Not sure where you are located, but if i was you, i would contact Costafonix on the forum.

I got one of them and I love it for what it is (I did change the pickups), however guys are battling to sell these guits at R1500.

The importers are trying to dump their stock at cost.... 3 - 4k no takers - Fact

My hint of the day is ~

The wood is good the Wilkinson hardware is reasonably good as well, Why not make it a project guitar,

You can lift the fret board and replace the truss-rod (which you can buy from TerryD in CT) yourself, that's the easy part.

Sanding the neck straight will take a bit of know how, but not rocket science, - re glue the fret board, and you'er in business.

Mask up the guitar properly before starting so as to preserve the paint work

2c - out

Your biggest risk is spending 3k in necks and labour ro restore something you could sell for 1k.
But you now have the perfect learning tool in your hands. You can strip it, rebuild it or do whatever you like without diminishing it's playability at all.
And you'll come out the other side really understanding how things work.

by the sound of things ....you NOT quite sure what the problem is ....i would say take it to a reputable...note i said reputable guitar repair man and let him tell you whats wrong...and quote on the job...... as someone mentioned you may have just stripped the thread.... or maybe it is terminal but most quotes are free ....but not worth guessing .


and like attilla said if the neck is trashed beyond affordable repair...there's still value in pickup and tuners and electronics, bridge in fact all the hardware .... can be stripped off and used or even sold

or lastly guitars make great wall ornaments .... so hang it on your wall like a piece of art ...might not be playable but it may still look cool

good luck

Keira WitherKay wrote: by the sound of things ....you NOT quite sure what the problem is ....i would say take it to a reputable...note i said reputable guitar repair man and let him tell you whats wrong...and quote on the job...... as someone mentioned you may have just stripped the thread.... or maybe it is terminal but most quotes are free ....but not worth guessing .

Yep +1

Keira WitherKay wrote: and like attilla said if the neck is trashed beyond affordable repair...there's still value in pickup and tuners and electronics, bridge in fact all the hardware .... can be stripped off and used or even sold

or lastly guitars make great wall ornaments .... so hang it on your wall like a piece of art ...might not be playable but it may still look cool

good luck

I'm busy conceptualising a box frame with glass front (to keep the dust out as much as possible) to put my Epi Les Paul in and put it on the wall after it got its neck broken. Going to sell the guitar case afterward, which should cover the cost of the build.

If you wanna get rid of it, you know where to find me ?
If you're in the Gauteng area that is.
I've been needing a neck to attempt a fretboard removal on ?

Chocklit_Thunda wrote: If you wanna get rid of it, you know where to find me ?
If you're in the Gauteng area that is.
I've been needing a neck to attempt a fretboard removal on ?

Just done one with a homemade steamer to replace a truss rod. I am not sure that this guitar will have its fretboard glued with a glued with a steamable glue. perhaps worth a try though.

I've heard of guys using a regular household iron. Seems to work on guitars of an Asian persuasion ? I think you use steam for hide glue?
I know just plain heat works on white PVA. The heat in Sun City, a car boot and a Cort acoustic showed me that the hard way.