Takamine Truss Rod can it be fixed ?
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Takamine Truss Rod can it be fixed ?
Hi,
I need to replace a broken truss rod on a Takamine EG340. Unfortunetly there is nowhere to find one.
It is like a U-Channel but more like a T at the top. Only the rod is broken, I would like to know about anyone who replaced only the rod or replaced it with another type of truss rod.
The rod has thread on one side and kind of round head on the other side.
Anybody can help me on that problem ?
Thank you.
I need to replace a broken truss rod on a Takamine EG340. Unfortunetly there is nowhere to find one.
It is like a U-Channel but more like a T at the top. Only the rod is broken, I would like to know about anyone who replaced only the rod or replaced it with another type of truss rod.
The rod has thread on one side and kind of round head on the other side.
Anybody can help me on that problem ?
Thank you.
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Re: Takamine Truss Rod can it be fixed ?
Do you have the fretboard off and the rod out? If so can you take a picture and measure the channel?
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Re: Takamine Truss Rod can it be fixed ?
The fretboard is off. Here is some pictures. The photos are not very good but you might see what I mean.
Length is 14 1/2" for the channel.
Width of the base of the channel is 11mm
Width of the top of the channel is 16mm
Total height is 11mm
Hope this help.
BTW I made a mistake. The model is EG540C.
Length is 14 1/2" for the channel.
Width of the base of the channel is 11mm
Width of the top of the channel is 16mm
Total height is 11mm
Hope this help.
BTW I made a mistake. The model is EG540C.
- Bob Gramann
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Re: Takamine Truss Rod can it be fixed ?
Martin used to use a similar rod without the top T. This one has an aluminum channel 14” long and 11mm square. I would guess that the T on the top isn’t really necessary. I have only the one pictured left. It is no longer on Martin’s Guitarmaker Connection website. If you take the broken rod you have to a machine shop, they ought to be able to figure out the hardness of the rod and duplicate it for you. You could then reuse the aluminum channel.
- Bob Gramann
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Re: Takamine Truss Rod can it be fixed ?
Another alternative would be to fill the existing slot in the neck with wood, then recut the slot to fit your currently available truss rod of choice.
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Re: Takamine Truss Rod can it be fixed ?
Going to a machine is my first guess but wanted to see if I could by it somewhere before.Bob Gramann wrote:Martin used to use a similar rod without the top T. This one has an aluminum channel 14” long and 11mm square. I would guess that the T on the top isn’t really necessary. I have only the one pictured left. It is no longer on Martin’s Guitarmaker Connection website. If you take the broken rod you have to a machine shop, they ought to be able to figure out the hardness of the rod and duplicate it for you. You could then reuse the aluminum channel.
I will have a look at the old Martin one and maybe add some kind of carbon fiber at the top. What do you think ?
Thank you.
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Re: Takamine Truss Rod can it be fixed ?
This would be my last attemptBob Gramann wrote:Another alternative would be to fill the existing slot in the neck with wood, then recut the slot to fit your currently available truss rod of choice.
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Re: Takamine Truss Rod can it be fixed ?
The other think I can't figure out is why the rod is tied at both end within the channel. That might be the reason why it broke.
If you look at the first and third pictures you will see that both end are press fit so the rod doesn't move.
Could that be bad manufacturing ?
If you look at the first and third pictures you will see that both end are press fit so the rod doesn't move.
Could that be bad manufacturing ?
- Bob Gramann
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Re: Takamine Truss Rod can it be fixed ?
I would expect that the rod slides in the channel underneath where the channel is pressed to hold it in. You don’t want the rod to rattle-loose in the aluminum channel. By tightening the nut, it bows the aluminum channel (installed with the opening down) and counteracts the string tension. My first guess about why it broke would be that there was some corrosion between the nut and the rod and someone tried to force it. My second guess would be that someone forced it beyond it’s ability to move the neck.
I wouldn’t worry much about using carbon fiber in the fix. Others like it more than I do and might recommend it.
Filling the slot and recutting it to fit a new rod isn’t so hard if you cut the slot first into a board with square edges so you can guide the router and then cut the board, containing the new slot, down to fit the old slot. You can do that as many times as you need to get it right. Personally, I wouldn’t worry about the gaps left by the wings of the T.
Making friends at the machine shop can solve a lot of problems long term.
I wouldn’t worry much about using carbon fiber in the fix. Others like it more than I do and might recommend it.
Filling the slot and recutting it to fit a new rod isn’t so hard if you cut the slot first into a board with square edges so you can guide the router and then cut the board, containing the new slot, down to fit the old slot. You can do that as many times as you need to get it right. Personally, I wouldn’t worry about the gaps left by the wings of the T.
Making friends at the machine shop can solve a lot of problems long term.
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Re: Takamine Truss Rod can it be fixed ?
Thank you.Bob Gramann wrote:I would expect that the rod slides in the channel underneath where the channel is pressed to hold it in. You don’t want the rod to rattle-loose in the aluminum channel. By tightening the nut, it bows the aluminum channel (installed with the opening down) and counteracts the string tension. My first guess about why it broke would be that there was some corrosion between the nut and the rod and someone tried to force it. My second guess would be that someone forced it beyond it’s ability to move the neck.
I wouldn’t worry much about using carbon fiber in the fix. Others like it more than I do and might recommend it.
Filling the slot and recutting it to fit a new rod isn’t so hard if you cut the slot first into a board with square edges so you can guide the router and then cut the board, containing the new slot, down to fit the old slot. You can do that as many times as you need to get it right. Personally, I wouldn’t worry about the gaps left by the wings of the T.
Making friends at the machine shop can solve a lot of problems long term.
I will start by going to a machine shop and see what can be done.
- Bob Gramann
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Re: Takamine Truss Rod can it be fixed ?
I just remembered that LMI used to sell a similar rod. So, I looked. Here it is: https://www.lmii.com/truss-rods/6520-tr ... h-162.html
It will probably fit your slot with no modification. You’ll just need to fashion a veneer spacer on the top.
It will probably fit your slot with no modification. You’ll just need to fashion a veneer spacer on the top.
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Re: Takamine Truss Rod can it be fixed ?
Looking at the measurement it would fit. The length would be too much.Bob Gramann wrote:I just remembered that LMI used to sell a similar rod. So, I looked. Here it is: https://www.lmii.com/truss-rods/6520-tr ... h-162.html
It will probably fit your slot with no modification. You’ll just need to fashion a veneer spacer on the top.
I finally decided to change the rod myself. Bought a 3/16" stell rod, cut it and now I have to thread it.
So far the process is pretty easy.
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Re: Takamine Truss Rod can it be fixed ?
I can thread you a rod and pean the other end or thread both ends for a fixed nut. Threading is quick and painless with the right tools. That's actually a good design but important to figure out why it didn't work the first time. Hopefully you found some better quality steel for the replacement. Stainless 303, 304 and O1 drill rod are all good choices.
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Re: Takamine Truss Rod can it be fixed ?
Didn't have the time to thread it but got stainless steel so it should work.David King wrote:I can thread you a rod and pean the other end or thread both ends for a fixed nut. Threading is quick and painless with the right tools. That's actually a good design but important to figure out why it didn't work the first time. Hopefully you found some better quality steel for the replacement. Stainless 303, 304 and O1 drill rod are all good choices.
I saw the old rod had some corrosion at the thread so I figured that was the cause.
- Bob Gramann
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Re: Takamine Truss Rod can it be fixed ?
I have always coated the threads on my truss rods with an automotive anti-seize compound. I found out the hard way that stainless steel requires a special anti-seize compound formultated for stainless steel. Stainless nuts and stainless rids have the abilit to gall against each other and seize. That knowledge has cost me one truss rod replacement so far.
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Re: Takamine Truss Rod can it be fixed ?
Thank you for the tipBob Gramann wrote:I have always coated the threads on my truss rods with an automotive anti-seize compound. I found out the hard way that stainless steel requires a special anti-seize compound formultated for stainless steel. Stainless nuts and stainless rids have the abilit to gall against each other and seize. That knowledge has cost me one truss rod replacement so far.
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Re: Takamine Truss Rod can it be fixed ?
A brass nut will avoid galling (microwelds between similar metals due to friction).
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Re: Takamine Truss Rod can it be fixed ?
I already put some anti seizing grease but thank you for the tip.David King wrote:A brass nut will avoid galling (microwelds between similar metals due to friction).