Truss Rod nut

[BradHK]

I did a quick LTG search but was unable to find the details to answer my questions. I need to replace a truss rod nut on one of my 1960’s Guild electrics. The originals use a 1/4” truss rod wrench. I would prefer to not remove the current nut for additional measurements until I have a replacement handy. Are the threads on the vintage Guild truss rods 10-32? I can find Gibson style truss rod nuts that are 10-32 threads but use a 5/16” truss rod wrench but I have been unable to find a truss rod nut for the 1/4” wrench. I am concerned that the larger diameter nut will not allow clearance in the headstock for the required larger wrench. Any tips on where to purchase a truss rod nut to fit a 1960’s Guild? Thanks

 

[GardMan]

I'd probably contact members Hans Moust (http://www.guitarchives.nl/guitarsgalore/) or Tom Jacobs (http://www.jacobscustomguitars.com/about/), or former Guild employee Ken Nash (http://www.theguitarmechanic.com/).

 

[Nuuska]

Hello

Is there any particular reason for not taking the old nut out yet?

Since you do not elaborate WHY you need to change the nut - we do not know if the thread issue ( am I right ? ) is on the nut or on the trussrod.

I have come across some cases where simply inserting an additional washer has saved the guitar.

So - please - tell us more

 

[BradHK]

Hello

Is there any particular reason for not taking the old nut out yet?

Since you do not elaborate WHY you need to change the nut - we do not know if the thread issue ( am I right ? ) is on the nut or on the trussrod.

I have come across some cases where simply inserting an additional washer has saved the guitar.

So - please - tell us more

Sorry for not being clear in my first post. One of the previous owners replaced the original truss rod nut with a larger Gibson style nut. No idea why. I can see no indication of the truss rod being replaced. It works fine but the larger diameter nut is causing clearance issues with the truss rod cover and such. I am sure I am being over cautious but I am just trying to minimize the number of times I take the full tension off of the truss rod on an old guitar. I could probably just pop it off, measure the threads and then put it back on with no issues.

I just ordered a 1/4” brass hex rod and I will just make one if I can’t locate a proper truss rod nut.

Thanks for the reply

 

[chazmo]

I don't want to give you bad advice, but if it were me I'd slack all the strings and just take it off. I've never done it though, so I appreciate your caution.

My thinking is that if the nut works fine (loosens and tightens without binding on the rod), then hopefully the threading on the rod is OK and you won't have to replace the rod when you change the nut. I just wonder why someone would've changed out the original nut in the first place.

 

[Guildedagain]

Unless the nut is stuck and breaks the TR on removal attempt, you couldn't do much harm taking the tension off fully.

Put a decently straight 24" rule on the frets to see the effects of releasing the tension, a little bow isn't unusual.

I would think the thread is much burlier than 10-32".

Fender makes some swell TR washers not enough people know about.

This ad actually shows the dimensions, handy for folks who make things.

 

[BradHK]

Thanks and I will unscrew and check the thread size and also put a straight edge on the frets. I also like the Fender brass washer and will use one when I put on a new nut. I agree that 10-32 seems pretty dainty but from what I could find, that is the thread size for Gibson truss rod nuts and Fender used 8-32 until 1969-1970 when they moved to 10-32. However, this information could be wrong. Thanks again

 

[Wilmywood]

Unless the nut is stuck and breaks the TR on removal attempt, you couldn't do much harm taking the tension off fully.

Put a decently straight 24" rule on the frets to see the effects of releasing the tension, a little bow isn't unusual.

I would think the thread is much burlier than 10-32".

Fender makes some swell TR washers not enough people know about.

This ad actually shows the dimensions, handy for folks who make things.

FWIW a 10-32 thread is 3/16" or .187" and since your washers are only .204 they'd be for a 10-32 or 10-24 thread.

Also, IMO a 10-32 rod is plenty strong since it is in tension, not compression.