Official Luthiers Forum!

I just finished carving the neck on my most recent build. While everything seemed to be in order, I noticed that if you tap on the neck you can hear some rattle in the truss rod. It can only be heard when tapped, not shaken (or stirred). Any advice as to how to cure the rattles? Once I tighten the truss rod a little, will the rattle go away? ( I should probably just try that second one.....)

_________________
ELEVATE || Next Level Lutherie
http://elevatelutherie.com
&
http://ensorguitars.com

Hi Chris,
If you are using the LMI of Allied Lutherie dual-action rod then you really should install a filler strip on top of the rod. I have given a great deal of thought to building a strong neck. In the end, I think the best solution is Allied Lutherie's dual action rod (it features micro-adjustability) and a couple carbon fiber beams.

Best of Luck,
Simon

Once it's strung up, deflection from string tension might take care of it. If not, crank on the truss rod it a bit, but not enough to get your neck relief out of range.

Pat

_________________
formerly known around here as burbank
_________________

http://www.patfosterguitars.com

Thanks guys. I guess I should clarify that I am using the SM hotrod truss rod.

_________________
ELEVATE || Next Level Lutherie
http://elevatelutherie.com
&
http://ensorguitars.com

Truss rod rattle eh.

Well me heard of this dude who had a rattle in his truss rod.
Tried every thing.
Finally he popped the inlay at the 7th, drilled a small hole down to the rod and
poured in some hot liquid honey. Then stuck it in the freezer for an hour or so for the honey to solidify.

Me hear tell it stopped the rattle real good and him ended up with the sweetest neck you could ever imagine.

blessings
Padma

_________________
.

Audiences and dispensations on Thursdays ~ by appointment only.


.

LOL Padma....that's good stuff...and would probably work...

It's probably obvious...but if the TR doesn't seem to be working correctly, then you'll need to replace it.

_________________
http://www.PeakeGuitars.com

I'd wait till it's strung up and if snugging up the rod does not fix it, doing what the Padma says will work. I've used rubber cement but I don't see why honey wouldn't be similar. Somewhere floating around the web is mark Blanchard's shim technique which will nip the problem in the bud during neck construction.

_________________
It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

Hi Chris,

That happens to me all the time. Just tighten the rod very slightly and you will be all set.

_________________
Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

Thanks for all the help.

Padma, I think I am more inclined to use molasses. But maybe that's just my pallet.

_________________
ELEVATE || Next Level Lutherie
http://elevatelutherie.com
&
http://ensorguitars.com

Molasses are good. Me use it to make me rye bread with.
But it just don't get nice and hard and hold that truss rod from rattlen like cold honey.


blessings

_________________
.

Audiences and dispensations on Thursdays ~ by appointment only.


.

I actually had one early one that had the LMI TRSD that continued to rattle intermittently and snugging it up did not completely cure it. It'd be better for a while and then come back. That's the one I injected with rubber cement and that worked. I went from caulk to wax from a toilet sealing ring to the wedge technique Mark Blanchard described. They all worked.

_________________
It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

There you go Chris,
A whole bunch of techniques and they all work.

Bottom line in building is

"If it gets the pig clean ~ use it!"


blessings
Padma

_________________
.

Audiences and dispensations on Thursdays ~ by appointment only.


.

I had one guitar with a truss rod rattle. It was my first 2 way adjustable rod. The rattle went away when strung up under tension, but would sometimes come back, either when using dropped tunings, or when the humidity was too low. I finally removed a dot marker and injected it with rubber cement. I considered going back to a compression rod, but I've used a filler strip since then(per SimonF) with no rattles. I strongly recommend not letting the guitar "out" with the potential of a rattle.

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