Truss rod question for Geoff.

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From Tim13 on 2/16/2014 8:29:50 AM

I have a Stelling Virginian which I really like. It sounds great, and truly is a piece of art. My issue is with the truss rod. Because it's a one way truss rod, once it's loosened, string tension is all you have left to give enough neck relief. I'm guessing a one way rod, instead of a two way is used because Stellings come with medium strings, and give more tension on the neck.

I've read about Geoff recommending heat pressing the neck in this situation, but I look at that as a temporary solution. Weather changes here in Michigan will quickly derail that fix. We are surrounded by 6,522,286,740,000,000 gallons of water from the Great Lakes, with summer weather of near 100 degrees and dew points in the 70's, all the way to winter days that do not even reach zero degrees for a high, and humidity less than 20 percent.

My question for Geoff: Is there enough room in the truss rod channel of the neck to replace the one way rod with a two way truss rod, without taking the fret board off?

Tim

12 Comments
	kmwaters says: 2/16/2014 9:00:08 AM Something tells me the neck is notched for the rod that is in there, and you would need a larger notch for a two way. Anxious to hear what Geoff has to say. Most interesting.
	kmwaters says: 2/16/2014 9:00:42 AM I love the gallon count!!
	Ybanjo says: 2/16/2014 9:35:19 AM Don't have an answer, but was wondering if all Stellings have single truss rods?? I thought my Staghorn was double, but maybe I'm wrong.
	Tim13 says: 2/16/2014 10:08:29 AM I think the Crusader model, with it's slightly expanded scale, is the only one with a two way rod in it. You can tell by taking the truss rod cover off, and looking at the end of the rod. If you have what looks like a hex nut that takes a 1/4 inch socket driver, then it's a one way rod. If you have a rod that accepts an allen wrench, then you have a two way rod. Tim
	kmwaters says: 2/16/2014 10:51:17 AM Have you seen the setup guide link on the website? It discusses rods like they are 2 way. I wonder what is in my Masters Cross. Haven't looked.
	Tim13 says: 2/16/2014 11:23:34 AM Yes. I actually bought the printed version from Stelling as well. My hope is they don't bother to rout different size channels in the neck, and make them all the same depth, so a one way, or a two way rod will fit. There are different ways to skin this cat, but I'd like the flexibility of the two way rod, versus re-fretting with thinner tanged frets, or over sizing the fret slots for normal sized frets. Tim
	kmwaters says: 2/16/2014 11:41:57 AM I guess Stelling could tell you what is in there. At least they ought to be able to. Think I will email Geoff about mine and find out what I have.
	Tim13 says: 2/16/2014 2:31:29 PM See my above post. You can tell what you have just by looking under the truss rod cover.
	Geoff Stelling says: 2/20/2014 12:47:57 PM Gentlemen, We use a one way truss rod on all models except the Crusader, at least for the time being. Models with the one way rod have a deliberate bow machined into the neck so that some constant tension is required all the time. With a two way rod, it is possible to have a neutral position at which point the neck is under no tension in either direction and it can flex up and down. The heat treatment is not just a temporary fix. With enough heat, it changes the wood cells in the neck permanently. In any case, a two way rod can not be fit into the one way rod channel. In fact, if a two way rod malfunctions and needs to be replaced, the fingerboard must be removed. Another plus for one way rods. Geoff
	Tim13 says: 2/20/2014 1:41:14 PM Geoff, I appreciate you taking the time out of your day to answer my question. Having the correct information right "from the horses mouth" so to speak means a lot. Thanks again, Tim
	kmwaters says: 2/20/2014 3:01:47 PM How about that from Geoff - he obviously had some good argument for one way rods. My understandings is that the constant string pressure should in most cases create that little bow.
	Tim13 says: 2/21/2014 12:59:47 PM Yeah, there aren't too many places you can go, and get info straight from the designer/builder of anything nowadays. Now that I have the information I needed, I'll be able to proceed with a good plan of action. Tim
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