L32 truss rod

[bluejack]

Hi, and top of the season to you all at Avalon.

I recently bought an L32, and while showing it off to a local guitar fettler he opined that the truss rod could use a small adjustment. However, when we looked inside no truss rod could we see. Could you tell us how to access it please, and whether the strings need to be removed? Also, it says in the accompanying booklet that the truss rod 'does not exert any compression on the neck wood'. How then, does it work? Possibly there is a part of your site where these things are explained, if so could you point me to it please?

Many thanks - from Jack

[Jimbo]

Personally, I would be very mistrustful of a guitar 'fettler' who doesn't know if the strings need to be removed for truss rod adjustment. Unless you know what you are doing you stand every chance of screwing up your action by messing with your truss rod.

In any case, you'll find the truss rod adjustment bolt behind the brace under the fingerboard. Stick a small mirror through the soundhole and use that to have a good look around.

[JB]

Jimbo is quite right ... the truss-rod adjustment nut can be found directly behind the main cross strut.

The bi-flex truss-rod is housed in a steel channel that bends thus moving the neck ... some truss-rod setups have the bare rod against the neck and fingerboard wood so high compression could potentually damage the wood, that can't happen with our truss-rods.

Strings do not need to be removed to adjust the truss-rod ... I'm surprised your guitar "fettler" didn't know this ... please make sure he knows what he's doing before letting him make any major adjustments.

Cheers
JB

[bluejack]

Hi - thank you very much for your replies. I have to say in my fettler's defence, it was not his question but mine about removing the strings - he always adjusts with the strings on, but I couldn't see how to get at the adjustment without taking them off and sticking your hand in. On all my other guitars the truss rod is clear to see and get at and I never thought about having to use a mirror. Thanks again for getting me sorted on that one.

[bluejack]

Hello again!

My man has now been and done the truss rod. He did have to take four of the strings off to get his tool in though (ooer missis), and so it took three goes with the strings going on and off to get it up to spec as per the leaflet which accompanies my L32. What manner of key do you chaps use to get at the adjuster without removing any strings? Anyway, it is now, to my amazement, even lovelier to play than before. The guitar was one of those new buy it now jobs on eBay, and had not seemingly not been set up at all - the truss rod was loose. Good gosh - I've been away from it for six minutes. Got to dash!

[Jimbo]

ooer indeed!

Congrats!