Help! my truss rod is stuck :(

Davey · #1 05-19-2006, 12:53 PM

Well the title says it all folks.

I was restoring maple fretboard on my RG550RFR and I thought I may as well tweak the truss whilst I was at it. I go to tweak it and it's stuck! The weird thing is that I can't get my truss wrench on it either (it won't fit down the back of the truss.)

Please help!

Rich · #2 05-19-2006, 01:49 PM

I come accross this every now and then, usually on a guitar in extreme relief. Line the head up with the truss wrench and tap it on with a hammer. Try and be carful around the paint. It'll tap on and tap off until you get it in the range it's supposed to be in where it should be free again.

Davey · #3 05-19-2006, 02:00 PM

Got it, thanks!

I crapped myself then thinking I was going to have to buy a new neck and that it was broken. I only bought the guitar the other week and only just got around to sorting it out.

Cheers again

sanitarium · #4 05-22-2006, 09:47 AM

Don't know if it's the same thing i'm experiencing or not. I just got my new 8 string bass through the post a few days ago and found the bottom couple of strings (i'm tuned EBEADGBE) really buzzed unless i played above 12th fret. I thought this could be to do with the action but found as i pushed the neck forward slightly they came round fine.
I left it a few days as I haven't had time and have gone to adjust it today on my day off and now all the strings are well out. They all buzz! I've gone to adjust the truss rod and only one of the two poles actually move at all. Any idea?

Rob A · #5 05-23-2006, 05:29 PM

Rich: When you say tap on the headstock, where do you mean? DOn't quite understand...

I'm in the same situation myself with a new RG 370 DX i'm tryin to set up.

Jaden · #6 05-23-2006, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob A

Rich: When you say tap on the headstock, where do you mean? DOn't quite understand...

I'm in the same situation myself with a new RG 370 DX i'm tryin to set up.

dude, Im pretty sure that he means tap the TRUSS ROD WRENCH on.... dont even think about tapping the head....
usnless youre on a wind up... then what you need to do is hit the headstock with a 14lb sledge

just make sure that the neck is perpendicular to the ground (very important)...

OK so just tap the tool onto the truss rod adjuster

Rob A · #7 05-23-2006, 06:03 PM

whatisshredding: haha, lol

Thanks fo r the tip tho, msut try it out. Trying to adjust the TR is always a bit worrying when you try, try, nothing happens, buit more pressure, bit more pressure, bit more CRACK and its moved...but thankfully nothing is rattling.

This should sort it out.

slugman · #8 05-24-2006, 10:57 AM

A tip I picked up on the Musical Instrument Makers Forum is, after adjusting the rod, flex the neck in your hands, one hand at the heel and the other at the lower frets. Obviously you don't want to go crazy with this but even a little bit of back and forth makes the neck take the adjustment faster. I had one neck where nothing would happen unless you flexed it (or turned the truss rod to extremes, then it was unplayable).

Rob A · #9 05-24-2006, 03:44 PM

I've tried the tapping bit, but alas, to no avail. Maybe I need to tap harder? The cracking isnt so bad now and its getting slightly easier.

Rich · #10 05-24-2006, 04:33 PM

If the problem is the neck is in far too much relief I've had success forcing the neck straight[er] using a board and a couple clamps with shims. Careful not to crack of course, but it should straighten the neck that tapping will work. As a last resort, yup, beat it on.

Davey · #11 05-24-2006, 04:40 PM

I'm really suprised that this issue hasn't come up before. I searched the forums and found nothing on it.

Jaden · #12 05-24-2006, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob A

I've tried the tapping bit, but alas, to no avail. Maybe I need to tap harder? The cracking isnt so bad now and its getting slightly easier.

are you using a truss rod adjustment tool (proper) or a deep reach socket ?
proper truss rod adjusters have a thinner wall than a socket and therefore are easier to fit onto the truss rod itself !
if youre trying to get away with using a 7mm deep reach socket, reach into your pocket any buy a truss rod wrench

BTW, my mates RG truss rod rattles around ALL THE TIME !!! but the neck relief is fine so it gets left alone !

Rob A · #13 05-25-2006, 02:56 PM

I'm using the one that came with the RG. It's a standard allen wrench, L shaped (no handle whatsoever)

Jaden · #14 05-25-2006, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob A

I'm using the one that came with the RG. It's a standard allen wrench, L shaped (no handle whatsoever)

Ah, you have the allen bolt type adjuster !!!
even easier, when I wanted to adjust my mates (RG470) - to make room I slackened all the strings at the headstock (the nut keeps it in tune of course) and made my adjustments without the strings running across the headstock getting in the way

you really should be able to get that allen key in there quite easily !