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Post by surfguy13 on May 30, 2021 7:24:40 GMT
I have recently bought a guitar with what I think may be a dual action trussrod. Having never owned a guitar with anything other than a standard trussrod, adjusted from behind the nut or in the neck block, I don't really understand the concept of a dual action trussrod. I set up the new acoustic as I would always do and it simply needed a slight trussrod adjustment to reduce bow as it has been set up for DADGAD and I want to use it in standard tuning. Made the adjustment and the guitar is now perfect. However, when looking inside the soundhole yesterday I was surprised to see a recessed allen key bolt in the neck block. I assume it is something to do with the trussrod but am not 100% sure. Few photos below. Any advice would be much appreciated! Guy    |
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davewhite
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Post by davewhite on May 30, 2021 7:35:53 GMT
Looks like a neck bolt - holding the neck on. Double action truss rods use the same adjusting bolt and have a "neutral" position where you feel no resistance. Turning clockwise from this straightens the neck and turning anti-clockwise allows you to put some relief (bow) into the neck if you have backbow.
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Post by Onechordtrick on May 30, 2021 7:37:07 GMT
Does it have a bolt on neck? Looks too low for a truss rod but that may be the picture’s perspective.
EDIT Dave, who knows much more than me about this, beat me to it.
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Post by surfguy13 on May 30, 2021 8:15:21 GMT
Many thanks for these replies, really appreciate it. It did occur to me that it might be a neck bolt but have never seen one before so wasn't sure. In fact the more I think about it the more likely that seems to be. The trussrod nut behind the nut did exactly what it should have done so that's problem solved!!
Thanks for explanation of how a dual action trussrod works Dave , given that, this is definitely not a dual action trussrod.
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leoroberts
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Post by leoroberts on May 30, 2021 13:12:46 GMT
Look, I know I'm 5 hours too late to this but I'm going to reply as if I'm the first to respond. Those who know me understand that I haven't a clue what I'm talking about and am just parroting davewhite and Onechordtrick, but those who don't know me might think "that fella knows his stuff alright". So I'm going for it... That looks like it might be a neck bolt, surfguy13 |
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Post by Onechordtrick on May 30, 2021 13:21:16 GMT
Look, I know I'm 5 hours too late to this but I'm going to reply as if I'm the first to respond. Those who know me understand that I haven't a clue what I'm talking about and am just parroting davewhite and Onechordtrick, but those who don't know me might think "that fella knows his stuff alright". So I'm going for it... That looks like it might be a neck bolt, surfguy13Neck bolt you say? You mean like this  |
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Post by jangarrack on May 30, 2021 13:58:02 GMT
The first picture looks very much like the truss rod adjustment on my Brook Taw which as far as I know is a normal single action rod. On that particular guitar the nut can be completely loosened without producing any significant forward bow beyond its optimum setting (optimum for me that is). I guess that would possibly support my thought that it is single action. I also have a Godin Multiac which does have dual action truss rod with the claim, "The double action (dual-function) system permits accurate adjustments to the neck in both directions." I included a link below and was told the easy way to remember how to adjust was, "Righty tighty, lefty loosey." Double Action truss rod adjustment.pdf |
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Post by surfguy13 on May 30, 2021 18:30:10 GMT
Look, I know I'm 5 hours too late to this but I'm going to reply as if I'm the first to respond. Those who know me understand that I haven't a clue what I'm talking about and am just parroting davewhite and Onechordtrick , but those who don't know me might think "that fella knows his stuff alright". So I'm going for it... That looks like it might be a neck bolt, surfguy13  |
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Post by surfguy13 on May 30, 2021 18:33:15 GMT
The first picture looks very much like the truss rod adjustment on my Brook Taw which as far as I know is a normal single action rod. On that particular guitar the nut can be completely loosened without producing any significant forward bow beyond its optimum setting (optimum for me that is). I guess that would possibly support my thought that it is single action. I also have a Godin Multiac which does have dual action truss rod with the claim, "The double action (dual-function) system permits accurate adjustments to the neck in both directions." I included a link below and was told the easy way to remember how to adjust was, "Righty tighty, lefty loosey." Double Action truss rod adjustment.pdfYes, totally agree, it must be a single action trussrod. It has done the job perfectly and works as you would expect it to. Many thanks for including the link, really interesting and great to have a reference if I ever buy a guitar with a dual action trussrod. |
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Post by Craig on May 30, 2021 20:10:44 GMT
My Avalon has a dual action truss rod and it was fine until I put heavier strings on it and gave it the required tweak.
After that I had an annoying rattle on certain notes that took me ages to identify. It turned out that the correct position for the heavier strings was the neutral position, hence the rattle.
Going back to lighter strings and adjusting the rod solved the issue!
Craig
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Post by surfguy13 on May 31, 2021 10:12:19 GMT
My Avalon has a dual action truss rod and it was fine until I put heavier strings on it and gave it the required tweak. After that I had an annoying rattle on certain notes that took me ages to identify. It turned out that the correct position for the heavier strings was the neutral position, hence the rattle. Going back to lighter strings and adjusting the rod solved the issue! Craig That would drive me crazy, after a while all you can hear is the rattle and buzzing! Was there no option but to go back to lighter strings in order to adjust the truss rod? I am sure there are clear advantages to having a dual action truss rod and will remember the comments in this thread just in case I ever have to deal with one! |
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Post by Martin on May 31, 2021 10:37:03 GMT
leoroberts is right! I'm sure... Yeah, bolt-on neck by the looks of it. About half of the acoustics I own have a bolt-on neck and they're marvellous sounding things
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Post by ocarolan on May 31, 2021 11:57:02 GMT
My Avalon has a dual action truss rod and it was fine until I put heavier strings on it and gave it the required tweak. After that I had an annoying rattle on certain notes that took me ages to identify. It turned out that the correct position for the heavier strings was the neutral position, hence the rattle. Going back to lighter strings and adjusting the rod solved the issue! Craig If you're happy with the lighter strings then fine. If you want to try the heavier strings again and the nut still wants to be in the "dead" and rattly position then try taking the nut to the very extreme of the neutral position so that it just begins to feel it is beginning to bite but no further. Blutak or similar around the nut should then keep it there without further rattles. Yes, it's a bit of a bodge, but it works. Keith |
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Post by Craig on May 31, 2021 12:27:42 GMT
Yes I'm perfectly happy with the lighter strings they're still 12's
I did take that guitar to Halifax to see if anyone could figure out the rattle and that's what was causing it.
Craig
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Post by surfguy13 on Jun 1, 2021 10:08:53 GMT
leoroberts is right! I'm sure... Yeah, bolt-on neck by the looks of it. About half of the acoustics I own have a bolt-on neck and they're marvellous sounding things That's really good to hear as I have never actually played an acoustic with a bolt on neck, certainly that I'm aware of. I was aware that acoustics are more commonly fitted with bolt on necks these days but for some reason thought they might be a bit of a compromise relative to a standard construction neck joint. However, the Oxwood OM sounds truly amazing so knowing its a bolt has changed my whole perspective! I have played electric bass most of my life and there's a huge difference between the sound of a bolt on neck versus a standard glued in joint or a through neck. My main bass for the last 40+ years was an old Martin solid body from the 70s with a through neck and it sounded superb and so I never veered that far away from it. However, when I went down to short scale basses for lower string tension a few years ago I bought a Spector with humbuckers and a 6 bolt neck and I am now a bolt on convert!! |
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