Truss Rod Installation - to glue or not to glue

[PeteD]

I'm getting ready to install a Stewmac hot rod low profile 2-way truss rod (soundhole adjustment), and I'm seeing conflicting information on whether to glue the two ends in.

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tool...way-truss-rod/

I don't see specific instructions on this, but on a different version, they recommend using a small dab of silicone at the ends, to reduce potential of vibration. This version is coated in rubber, though, so might not be necessary to add the silicone.

But I've also read that you should epoxy the ends in to make sure it is fully anchored. Others say you should not use any glue in and that you should just make sure each end is snug, and then glue on the fretboard (Masking tape along the channel before spreading glue, to prevent squeeze out getting into the channel).

What is the consensus on this...glue the ends or just dry-fit snugly into the channel? Thanks in advance!!!

[Fathand]

I use similar 2 way rods. I don't glue in truss rods. I build so that if the bolt on neck is removed, the truss rod can be pulled out and replaced if need be. They won't rattle with a bit of tension applied. I don't use the masking tape either, it would cover part of the gluing surface and the truss rod is already wrapped in plastic.

I cut the channel with a 1/4" round nose bit just a bit deeper than the rod on a milling machine or a router table.

[Bruce Sexauer]

I do not glue in my rod and it can theoretically be pulled out on the guitars I make with headstock adjustment. I have never needed to do that using LMI's TRST rod, may they rest in peace.

[12th_fret]

Bruce do you mean the TRBST?

[mirwa]

No glue, just put a small bit of tape over the top when gluing fretboard on to prevent glue getting into the cavity

[Bruce Sexauer]

Originally Posted by 12th_fret

Bruce do you mean the TRBST?

TRST, and it is still on their website.

[JonWint]

In 2007, in their kit instruction manual, Martin recommended that two-way truss rod reinforcement be fully glued into the neck channel with Titebond. The assembly is fully encased in shrink-plastic to allow the rods to slide against each other during adjustment and isolate them from the glue. That prevents any chance of rattling and reduces most (all except thread tolerance) of the slack between tension and compression adjustment transitions. Obviously, replacement of a faulty rod system would not be possible without fretboard removal.

[redir]

I make it a point to have removable truss rods so no glue for me.

Originally Posted by mirwa

No glue, just put a small bit of tape over the top when gluing fretboard on to prevent glue getting into the cavity

Do you remove the tape? I realized one day, it just popped into my head, after the guitar was strung up that I had forgotten to remove the tape. Probably no biggie and so far so good.

[mirwa]

Yeh i leave the tape on and glue board over the top

[redir]

Originally Posted by mirwa

Yeh i leave the tape on and glue board over the top

Cool, thanks.