I no longer hate heel truss rod nuts!

[Matt_B]

I know it's not a big deal to some people but I do not like heel truss rod nuts. When I need to tweak a truss rod (usually twice a year) I don't want to mess around with loosening the strings, loosening the neck, tweaking the rod and hope it's right where I want it. I even go so far as to leave the truss rod covers off my guitars because they're just one more impediment. I also admit that I feel it's an outdated design especially when there are solutions to making heel truss rod nuts easier to adjust.

That brings up my current project which is based around a Charvel USA Production Model. Stew Mac sells the spoke truss rod nuts. When I send the guitar off to Mike Learn for a refin, I also had him modify the neck and body to accommodate the spoke truss rod nut. I'm really glad this worked out because I've got two more Production Model projects in the pipeline.

[vklobucar]

That is so simply and elegant at the same time! Great idea and cool look too!

[Axewielder]

Nicely done. What tool do you use to turn that wheel?

[Matt_B]

Nicely done. What tool do you use to turn that wheel?

Heh, I'm not sure if there's an official tool for it but from handling the nut I'd try a small hex wrench first.

[Axewielder]

Heh, I'm not sure if there's an official tool for it but from handling the nut I'd try a small hex wrench first.

Oh ok, just curious. The holes look round, like they might fit a screwdriver.

[Matt_B]

Oh ok, just curious. The holes look round, like they might fit a screwdriver.

Now that you mention it I can definitely see a small screwdriver working too.

[straycat]

Truss rod tool works on these just fine.
Looks good and is a functional improvement IMO. I may do it to my next project.

[84sups]

Do those just pop in? Been wanting to do that mod for a long while now to both of my pro-mods but hesitant because I wasn't sure what I would have to do.

[lefty]

You the man! I've got a couple of Gtrs with spoke truss adjustment.
I can't for the life of me understand why they aren't an industry standard,
except that the big boys would have to completely retool for it. One of
those things that once you use it, you don't know how you got through
life without it!

[lefty]

Oh yeah, they're also dual action in addition to being more
convenient. No compromise on getting the relief just so...

[Matt_B]

Do those just pop in? Been wanting to do that mod for a long while now to both of my pro-mods but hesitant because I wasn't sure what I would have to do.

All in all it's pretty simple. Besides the obvious changes to the neck and the body, you'll just need a couple of washers to get the new truss nut snug against the truss rod threads. Any competent luthier can make the required changes.

[Learn Guitars]

It is a pretty straight forward procedure that can be done on the fretboard with a saw and a few files. A router gets a bit hairy in that area. You have to make sure there is enough distance to properly seat the adjusting nut against the washers that are on the truss rod. I had to add two extra brass washers to the assembly. The body could be done with a dremel if you are steady. A dremel router base would be a good way to handle the machining. I used a plunge router and template I made for this mod.

[Matt_B]

...and template I made for this mod.

Cool. The next two I send you will be a little bit easier then.

[AndyK]

I have removing my neck (to get to the heel truss rod screw) down to a 3 minute process.
1) put a paper towel under the Floyd
2) lay guitar face down, and back out the neck screws
3) Carefully angle the neck out, and the strings will go slack
4) Adjust the truss rod
5) put the neck back

Done!