View Full Version : truss rod
catsh16
Aug-04-2004, 3:31pm
where is the truss rod on a mandolin adjusted from? I was told that on my guitar it is adjusted from behind the small plate with 3 screws at the end of the neck. Is this correct? if not, can anyone explain.
Thanks
don't know if they are elsewhere on others, but i have a little plate on the bottom of the headstock that unscrews under which i can find the truss rod for adjustment.
John Flynn
Aug-04-2004, 3:43pm
Mandolin truss rods are generally adjusted from the same place you describe on the guitar, behind a plate on the headstock. However, there are exceptions to that rule on guitars. Some guitars' adjustment is through the soundhole. Some mandolins do not have truss rods and many have non-adjustable truss rods. The short neck on mandolins do not seem to have the same requirements for adjustability that the long necks on guitars do.
I mean this respectfully and constructively: If you don't know where it is, you may not want to be the person adjusting it. It may be an operation for a luthier. You can get yourself into trouble!
Chris Baird
Aug-04-2004, 4:03pm
A trussrod should only be used to adjust neck relief and never to adjust for action. Neck relief should be between 0 and .012". You can check relief by freting both the first and last fret then checking under the 12th fret(between the string and top of the fret) with feeler guages.
catsh16
Aug-04-2004, 4:34pm
so is it safe to say that because the instument has the plate with 3 screws in the headstock, there is an adjustable truss rod there too?
ps. don't worry, I am not about to go opening up my instuments and destroy them with a wrench.
it was just a question of curiosity http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Strado Len
Aug-05-2004, 6:52am
Some new, inexpensive, Epiphones have a truss rod cover, but no truss rod. However, if it is an older instrument with a cover, chances are it has the truss rod. You can always remove the cover and just take a look.
Potosimando
Aug-05-2004, 6:11pm
My Givens has a truss rod that adjusts through the end pin, using a special tool to do so. #Lot of folks will see such a Givens and not realize that the instrument even has a truss rod. #I am not sure whether or not all Givens have truss rods--I suspect that some do not. #Regardless, there are many Givens out there that do indeed have these "completely hidden" truss rods.