Truss Rod Covers - Asthetics vs Access

RVA

RVA

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More and more, I find myself pleased when I do not have to take my guitar to the bench to remove a cover just to make a 1/8 turn of the truss rod. I wonder, are they are they worth the effort. What say you all?
 
Typically--- my "rule of thumb" on new aquires--- is to remove --- and store--- till I am stratified the neck/action, etc. are adjusted to my happiness......then it goes back on ......
I have a couple the dont have a TRC --- came that way--- and I am o.k. with it--- I COULD find replacements....btu really dont bother me all that much they are what they
 
gball said:
It takes, what? 15 seconds to take off, another 15 to put back on? And you adjust the truss rod a couple times a year? I say nothing to worry about, no effort at all.
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I adjust my truss rods a lot more than that. For those of you gigging musicians, I assume there are times your guitar could benefit from an adjustment when you do not have a bench close by. All it would take is an Allen wrench in a case but for the cover. And what is the benefit? T conceal that that ole ugly "hole" in your guitar? To me, there is nothing to hide, no big deal at all.
 
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Pure fashion statement. I think I prefer the Stratocaster method, quite honestly, but never pass up a chance to make a statement... :-)

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RVA said:
I adjust my truss rods a lot more than that. For those of you gigging musicians, I assume there are times your guitar could benefit from an adjustment when you do not have a bench close by. All it would take is an Allen wrench in a case but for the cover. And what is the benefit? T conceal that that ole ugly "hole" in your guitar? Ti me, there is nothing to hide, no big deal at all.
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Depending on where you're playing, sometimes you're lucky if you get time for a reasonable sound check, let alone making truss rod adjustments!

Plus, if I take my guitar to an outdoor event, which may be significantly colder or hotter than where I keep my guitars at home, I'll be more preoccupied with just keeping the guitar tuned as the strings adjust to temperature.

Setup issues like a truss rod are things I try to take note of while practicing at home.

I do admit to being somewhat concerned with the optics of things. I even style my hair a little differently when I'm going to be on stage than I do when getting ready for work.

So, no. I wouldn't leave the TRC off the guitar.
 
I always check that they move and spray some WD 40 for the next guy. I tend to check my Fender stuff because the truss rod is easy to get to. Gibson stuff is a pain with the little screws.
 
RVA said:
Maybe it is because I keep my action very low, but I adjust the TR every other time I play, and they are all stored in a humidity controlled room.
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Really? I don't mean this to sound wrong but something sounds wrong. I adjust a truss rod maybe three or four times a year on a guitar, some less depending on stability (Les Pauls very rarely need an adjustment) and I live at the beach and don't take any other precaution other than storing them in their cases. If you gotta turn a truss rod that often then I respectfully submit that you have some sort of problem going on.
 
gball said:
Really? I don't mean this to sound wrong but something sounds wrong. I adjust a truss rod maybe three or four times a year on a guitar, some less depending on stability (Les Pauls very rarely need an adjustment) and I live at the beach and don't take any other precaution other than storing them in their cases. If you gotta turn a truss rod that often then I respectfully submit that you have some sort of problem going on.
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I think I have adjusted my TR perhaps once in 20 years on my Stratocaster.
 
Robert Herndon said:
I think I have adjusted my TR perhaps once in 20 years on my Stratocaster.
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Yeah a stable/properly set up guitar should need it only very occasionally. A couple of my guitars need it a few times a year but I think that's because of living at the beach. My LP's almost never need it, the Trad has had one TR adjustment in 2 years, when I gave it the initial setup, and it's remained perfect since.
 
Robert Herndon said:
I think I have adjusted my TR perhaps once in 20 years on my Stratocaster.
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Most Fender stuff is very stable being a maple neck and all. My Les Paul Studio has a maple neck and no adjustments ever. The Mahogany neck on my Standard a couple small 1/8th inch turns in it life with me. I always check that they work when I change strings and clean up the neck and oil it.
 
gball said:
Really? I don't mean this to sound wrong but something sounds wrong. I adjust a truss rod maybe three or four times a year on a guitar, some less depending on stability (Les Pauls very rarely need an adjustment) and I live at the beach and don't take any other precaution other than storing them in their cases. If you gotta turn a truss rod that often then I respectfully submit that you have some sort of problem going on.
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They are small adjustments, which I find helpful. I keep them all at 45% humidity 365 days a year, so it is not that. I do this with guitars on the wall and in the case. Tom Anderson does not use TR covers for this very reason and can be found making adjustments while on stage, while adorning his favorite ax (per Tom on his forum).
 
RVA said:
They are small adjustments, which I find helpful. I keep them all at 45% humidity 365 days a year, so it is not that. I do this with guitars on the wall and in the case. Tom Anderson does not use TR covers for this very reason and can be found making adjustments while on stage, while adorning his favorite ax (per Tom on his forum).
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Don't take this the wrong way, but that is not exactly a glowing advertisement for Anderson guitars. If something requires a truss rod adjustment mid-gig, I personally would not consider it a viable gigging guitar.
 
I'm with gball here. The few seconds it takes to unscrew the TRC is not reason enough to leave them off. I don't adjust the TR very often. Usually only when I get a new guitar or when I set a guitar up for slide that has previously been used for regular playing, or vice versa. Apart from that I very rarely need to. And my action is pretty low.
 
RVA said:
They are small adjustments, which I find helpful. I keep them all at 45% humidity 365 days a year, so it is not that. I do this with guitars on the wall and in the case. Tom Anderson does not use TR covers for this very reason and can be found making adjustments while on stage, while adorning his favorite ax (per Tom on his forum).
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You are doing things perfectly. The guitars that are more sensitive to the environment stay in a case with a temperature and humidity gauge. I do string changes often. I can look and see if the neck has a problem. I can tell if it feels off or a fret buzz. I will check to see if the truss rod moves. Adjusting it is not necessarily most of the time. Even the less expensive necks seem to behave themselves.
 
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