screw in fretboard to solve truss rod noise?

[Steve Z]

The '52 400n PSA I posted in the "for sale" section looks even better in pics from the store that last sold the 400 (sweet vintage amber blonde). 1952 Gibson Super 400 Natural– Telluride Music Co.

Curious about this bit of info from the music store it was last sold...

Repair history is also minimal. Its nut has been replaced, and we discovered a 1/16" set screw through the 4th fret that stabilizes the truss rod, which probably rattled and bothered the player at one time.

I contacted the seller and he stated that he had forgotten as the mark on the fretboard is no really noticable. He is updating the listing.

Any concern about this type of repair? The 18" body would be a concern for me... not sure if the screw should be as well.

[neatomic]

that's a very odd repair!...

to insert a screw thru the fretboard to stop the trussrod from moving??..how do you even think of something like that?! and how does it affect the trussrod if you need to adjust it??

be wary


cheers

[ruger9]

that's a very odd repair!...

to insert a screw thru the fretboard to stop the trussrod from moving??..how do you even think of something like that?! and how does it affect the trussrod if you need to adjust it??

be wary


cheers

Actually, yes. I read about this just recently, as I have a strat with a rattling truss rod. This type of repair isn't favored, but it is done. What is recommended instead, if tightening the truss rod doesn't solve the issue (and of course you still want whatever amount of relief you like for your own personal setup), the standard repair seems to be injecting glue down beside the truss rod. Not enough to fill the cavity, just enough to create a "spacer" if you will, that will keep the rod from rattling. And a type of glue (even standard wood glue) that is not strong enough to resist truss rod adjustment.

But I agree- I don't think I'd buy that guitar. Unless I had played it and fell in love with it, in which case all bets are off.

[neatomic]

nuts...what happens the day you wanna go from your regular 13's to 10's and you turn the trussrod..and the force sends the screw back out thru the fretboard?!...trussrods are under lots of tension, that's how they work!

rickenbacker guitars with the 2 trussrods were notorious for rattling...but i never saw a solution like that!!!

as for it happening on fender...thats why leo made them bolt ons...so you could replace parts! hah

cheers

[Steve Z]

The guitar sold. I decided the 18" was too big. Good for the seller getting the quick sale.

[BBGuitar]

Sounds like a good idea to me.

I would use a 2-56 nylon machine screw and cut it off. Could always be drilled out later.

[icr]

I have seen much worse. In fact I can't even see the screw in this case.

[DRS]

Would the screw impeded the movement of the truss rod or just push against it so it doesn't rattle? It's not like a screw will drill into a solid steel truss rod.

[Bezoeker]

Would the screw impeded the movement of the truss rod or just push against it so it doesn't rattle? It's not like a screw will drill into a solid steel truss rod.

It works. It works as you describe.

Glue can be remarkably problematic, for fairly obvious reasons.

Silicone sealer, on the other hand, works reasonably well and is very forgiving.

This is usually, and best, done by removing an FB marker (dot or rectangle or whatever), doing the deed, then replacing the marker.

I had never seen (or done) this in the middle of the FB wood (vs. under a FB marker). So an interesting post about an interesting solution to a rare-ish problem.

The actual trick is deciding where the rod is rattling. The 5th and 7th frets are a decent guess - and of course there are markers there, which is handy.

I love the idea of the nylon screw. Never tried it, but it sounds obvious now that someone smarter mentioned it.