truss rod issues

[devine10]

I just got off of the phone with the shop that does my setups, and they just informed me that my truss rod on my 93 ce 24 may be broken, It seems to have "let go" at the other end, and turning it does not seem to have any effect. I'm supposed to pick it up tomrrow. Any suggestions as what to do if the Truss rod is shot?

[Aldwyn]

My guess is that you are going to have to get it fixed, or learn to play with a neck that continues to bow!

If you are first owner of the guitar, it's under warrentee from PRS and they should fix it free. If not, it'll cost you!

[devine10]

Yeah I dont know how bad it is, I've never really had any problems with the truss rod on it, and they said they only wanted to make a slight adjustment on it so it cant be that far off. they said it still plays very well..I'll give it a full report after i pick it up on friday night..

Nope I'm the 2nd owner of the guitar, bought it in 1995 for $899, so it looks like I'm eating this one..Would it be easier to just find a neck for it, rather than fix the truss rod?

[ChrisCst22]

So, did the truss rod break while they were adjusting it?? Hmm.. Truss rods don't usually break on their own or any way the guitar itself is played. They usually break while being adjusted.

How reputable is the tech you go to?? Does he have 2 or 3 employees or is it just him that does the work? Maybe a new guy working for the owner?

PRS truss rods are some of the best out there. Yours is the 1st case in my 15 years playing guitars that I've heard of a PRSi truss breaking.

Now, obviously I'm skeptical of the tech. Be that as it may, depending on where and how severe the break is, the more or less it will cost.

Simply because you can remove the neck, I would suggest trying to send it direct to PRS. You at least need to to contact them for options on how to obtain another truss rod. I can't imagine those are very easy find, but with PRS cust. service, I have a feeling they may be able to help you somehow.

Even if the guitar still plays decent, if you know for a fact the truss is broken you need to have it fixed ASAP. I don't even know what kind of damage can be done to a neck without the proper pressure relief, and I wouldn't want to find out.

[devine10]

Actually I've been going to the same place for 12 years, and the same 3 guys have worked on it, since i got the guitar..

They didnt say that the truss rod broke while adjusting it, they said something about the nut being "fused" with the rod somehowand when the nut was turned it also turned the rod..they also said it seemed like the nut was a lil further away from the end of the cavity, where it usually is. I really couldnt go into it with them on the phone as i was at work..I'll have to take a couple of pics of it when i pick it up tommrow. They did say it seemed to be playing fine..I'll probably end up having Jim Mouradian or JC @ JC's guitars take a more detailed look at it later on, I'll keep ya all posted..

on a side note I did want to buy another CE 24 this year.., just not under these circumstances..lol

[ChrisCst22]

devine10, I didn't notice till now you live a half hour away from me. I keep meaning to call Jim because of how many good things customers had to say about him. I think I still have his #. Is his business going well because I need some major electronic work on my Custom. But thats getting off topic...

Fused rod? Hmm. Sounds interesting. I'm not a physics major by any stretch but dont you need to super-heat metals to fuse them together?? Unless it's a different type of "fusing" that I'm thinking of.

Keep us posted!

[Rabidhamster]

I've nothing to add on the tech subject, but getting the truss rod replaced, if PRS wont do it, maybe check with orkie? I understand hes the go-to guy for PRS stuff.

[OLIE J]

I don't think there is anything wrong with your truss rod. The nut is suppose to be fused to the truss rod.

PRS changed to a double acting truss rod in mid 1992. The double acting truss rods use a steel nut fused to a steel rod.
This info is listed on the PRS site.

[OLIE J]

Here's a link to that info.

prsguitars.com/csc/trussrod.html

[devine10]

Apparently all is well.. I picked up my guitar today, and as soon as I walked in the door, the guy there told me I'd be relieved..He did some research and was unaware that PRSI NOW have a Biflex type truss rod. he had a late 80's one himself, and what threw him off was the difference between the two. He checked with another tech to confirm this for me. Needless to say I was releived. I'll chalk it up to a "brain fart" since they've done all the work on my guitars and never had any issues..I think it's been the first time my guitar has needed any truss rod adjustment, which is a good sign..It's kind of like the doctor saying "you have cancer" and then the next day saying "oops I was wrong, it's just indegestion"

I have to say thanks to all who posted and sent me emails, just another reason I come to this place..you guys rock

anyway I played the guitar tonight at practice, and it plays great..

Chriscst22: Jim Mouradian is still going strong, his sons work at his shop as well and do a great job! I've had him do a lil work here and there on a couple of my guitars and he's great. He's also done all the setup work on my bass player's 76 P bass and 76 Rickenbacker 4001. He's also built a few guitars and basses over the year for my friends, I don't think youd have any issuse with any work you could throw at him.

what are you getting done anyway if i may ask?

Again, I want to thank all of you for chiming in and helping me with this issue!!

[ChrisCst22]

Oh man that makes so much sense!! I apologize to the tech for suspecting him of maybe breaking it himself. You know I'm the idiot because I've read that before and didn't remember it, about the fused nut. Well thats great to hear!!

I was going to PM direct to devine10 to explain my wiring scheme. But its so cool I thought it'd be great for other people to hear about it.

It's not that complicated, based on a 3-way and 2 push/pull pots of the best quality. Volume pot pushed in bypasses the volume control altogether. Pulled out it activates the vol pot. Tone pot pushed in bypasses tone control, pulled out splits the pickups(JB+'59 in my case) into single coils AND activates the tone control.

Really the main reason I'm doing it is for live playing. I'm a jumper. And I spin a lot. So I'm always worried about my controls. If I have both pots pushed in, its full-on both vol and tone. You have to make an effort to pull those pots, you can't do it by accident, and so if I want to use them I can.

And I know of course I can't use the tone control on the humbucker setting but I don't care cause I barely use the tone control anyway. I'll probably only pull the tone when recording for some parts. If I keep the volume pot rolled down, it basically makes it a master on/off switch. It'll be freakin sweet!

So I want it to be done hardcore with the best solder joints and best quality wiring.

[devine10]

chriscst22:

what band do you play in? Yeah Jim's shop should be able to do anything you throw at them..

[ChrisCst22]

I'm not in a band at the moment as I'm about to begin full-time school, with part-time work and trying to find a guitar instructor.

The band I was in before was called "Stay Behind" out of Lynn. I was the oldest at 21 so we were kinda young and played newer style punk/heavy rock type stuff.

I keep getting the feeling I've met you before devine10. You must've shopped at the Guitar Center Danvers before right? I was a staple there for almost 3 years. Accessory guy with flame tattoos??