Tight Truss Rod Challenge

[Jonathan Amos]

My challenge this month was fixing a tight truss rod on an old Yamaha acoustic. The rod had probably not been turned for many years and I could hardly move it either way. Thanks to a YouTube video “How to Help your truss rod by Randy Schartiger”, a G clamp, some wood scraps and bits of thick rubber:

I was able to fix it pretty easily and quickly. The trick is to help the truss rod move by putting pressure on the neck in addition to the pressure coming from the truss rod wrench:

1. Lay two pieces of thick rubber on the strings at each end of the neck as far apart as possible.
2. Lay two small pieces of wood on top of the rubber pieces.
3. Lay a long and strong piece of wood on top of the small pieces of wood.
4. Put one or two pieces of thick rubber on the back of the neck and fit the clamp.
5. Apply pressure.

While the neck was clamped and under a reasonable amount of pressure, I was finally able to turn the truss rod hex wrench. And thanks to the thick rubber underneath the neck, not a mark was left on the guitar.

Jonathan Amos, Matsuyama, Japan

The farther one travels the less one knows.

[Billy]

Great idea, goodness knows how many overly tight truss rods ive come across. Never thought of relieving the truss tension this was so thanks for adding to my arsenal of “what to do”…

..Billy..

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