Question about the truss rods on EBMM guitars

[dagurime]

Hello... I'm someone who is seriously consdering getting an Axis Super Sport, and I need some things clarified

I heard from a guitar repairman today that the spoke wheel truss rods (adjustment wheel at the neck heel type), which many EBMM guitars have, are actually one way, not dual-action like most of the guitars built today.

He told me that, being one-way, it can only bend one way (can't remember for sure which way he said)........ and now I have two specific concerns

1) if that's the case, how would you adjust the neck relief if you need to bend the neck the other way?
on my strat I can turn the rod either clock-wise or counter-clock-wise depending on which way i need to adjust it...

2) does the TR being one-way mean that I can only turn the wheel one way? then what happens when the rod turns all the way after many adjustments?
(to those who didn't know, normal truss rods don't turn indefinitely... they can only turn so much to either direction. but this would be problematic if you could only turn it one way...)

I never had a guitar with one-way truss rods, or spoke wheels for that matter...
so can someone clarify these for me??

thank you!

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

The person you spoke to Is talking BS. The neck is adjustable both ways.

And welcome to the Forum

 

[dagurime]

thanks for the answer! I hope to join legitimately with an EBMM guitar of my own soon!

 

[dhalif]

*turns my truss rod both ways* hmmm.. ? it works.. =) welcome aboard mate

 

[fbecir]

Steve Morse uses his number One guitar for more that 20 years and he travels all around the world with Deep Purple. You can imagine all the climatic variations the guitar has to survive. If the truss rod used by Music Man was not good, the neck would be completely warped.

 

[Danserrano]

Yep. I would suggest u do not take ur future ebmm to this guy...... Ever. Hehe

 

[bkrumme]

The guy is right about a one-way truss rod only being able to bend one way, however he has mis-guided you and you have no reason for concern. Two-way truss rods are actually the rarity, not the other way as this "repairman" suggests.

Here are my answers to your questions:

1. You can adjust the neck relief both ways, but only one way *adds* tension. The other direction is relieving that tension, hence the term "relief." The wheel will turn both ways. Clockwise adds tension and pulls on the strings. Counter-clockwise relieves tension and lets the strings pull on the neck more. So the truss-rod pulls one way and the strings pull the other way. When the you have the proper tension on the truss rod, and the guitar is in tune, the strings and truss rod will counter-act each other and your neck relief will be correct.

2. The wheel will turn both ways. Also, there should be no reason to *ever* reach the end of the wheel's travel where it stops turning.

 

[threeminutesboy]

That's a funny thread

But glad you stop here to hear the truth and welcome !

 

[Spudmurphy]

yes to all the above. You may get a situation where you totally slacken off the truss rod wheel meaning that there is absolutely no counter force to the strings. Th3erefore t5he wheel will continue to turn with no tangible effect.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

Dagurime,

Do a search for the youtube video about the making of Ernie Ball necks. It may be in the middle of the NAMM vids. The way Musicman makes necks is really, really unique. They insert the truss rod and then tighten it to a point to purposely get back bow. Then they put the neck on a machine that sands the face perfectly flat. Then they loosen the truss rod to get it perfect. The result is a neck that is not in such a random position that they need a double action truss rod to fix their mess.

I do own a guitar that has a double action truss rod. I have to play with it far more than my Musicman guitars. Believe me....if you have to start pushing on the truss rod, it's time to sell the guitar.

 

[dagurime]

wow... thanks guys. this really cleared up a lot for me! you guys are awesome

 

[BrickGlass]

Don't consider getting yourself an Axis SS. Just do it and play it. You will love it.