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Should I silicone my double action trussrod and how do I install it. Its a lmi rod.

yup

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

I recommend some silicone but be careful to keep it in the slot. Silicone will cause finishing nightmares if you get any on the outside of the neck. I'd also recommend watching this video.
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=21818

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

I've heard a lot of well respected luthiers say that you shouldn't bring silicone anywhere near a guitar you're building. Silicone migrates and can cause no end of glueing and finishing problems. There are non-silicone non-hardening caulking products that will ensure that your truss rod doesn't rattle.

Without question, the best way to install two-way truss-rods is by adding a spline above the rod. The spline removes all slack from the center of the rod and also ensures a perfect surface for gluing the fretboard. If installed this way, the rod will not rattle even when it is in the neutral position.

I have found silicone in the truss rod slot is the suggest method , you can also use a lather of white glue. If you don't put in some kind of buffer some truss rods will rattle. The ones that are open IE Stewart Mac Donald need a filler. Sealed ones like what Martin is using can be placed in dry.
Not all 2 ways are designed to use a filler . Martin doesn't use one with the wrapped 2 way rod. Be sure to understand the manufacturers method of installation. You may be causing a problem if not installed properly.
john hall

_________________
John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

It might be worth mentioning that there are non-silicone based materials that could be used in place of silicone caulking. Would Acrylic Latex be safer to use for those worried about compromising finish or glue joints?

Also, how much of this stuff are we talking about here? I would think that a couple of strategically placed very small dabs of the stuff would be sufficient?

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Jim Hansen

we are talking a small amount. You are buttering the sides , this isn't flooding the channel. I don't glue in the rod all I am using the glue or silicone for is to be a dampener. It is there to keep the metal rod of the truss rod for touching the sides of the channel.
One day you may have a guitar in your shop that has a rattle that you can't ID. Chances are the truss rod may have been set in dry. I have seen 2 of them so far. Not fun
john hall

_________________
John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Jim I would not use anything that dries hard , it may break up later , the idea behind the spline Simon mentions is three drops of medium ca on the top( one on each end and one in the middle) of the rod before glueing the spline in place should cure any future rattle. jody

If you are confronted with a rattle on an LMI rod put in dry (as I have been), you can drill a small hole around the 2nd and 10 frets and inject rubber cement with a needle. It works. You can plug the hole with sliver of ebony + CA and dust and it's invisible. (Thanks Frank Ford). I use mostly caulk but I've tried wax from a toilet bowl seating ring after a post here. That seemed fine as well. That said, the spline is probably the best idea.
Terry

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