12-string Dreadnought questions

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Some things I can't find clear answers to online. Or I find contrary advice without clear rationale.

1. Bolt on neck: are these Bunnings taskmaster bolts and threaded inserts up to the job? (Leftover from harp build). Or are there much better solutions?

2. Truss rod placement, headstock end: I can have the adjustment sitting ahead of the nut and it stops before the tenon. . Or just up to the nut and it sits in the tenon. I'm hesitant to remove timber from the tenon. Truss rod 270mm, maybe it's too big? Next size down at supplier around the corner is 210mm, which seems too small.
Thoughts?


3. Neck thickness, carbon fibre and Truss rod: my 12-string Dreadnought plans have 13.5mm at 1st fret, and that minimum 2mm timber under truss rod is ok.
- truss rod is 2.5mm timber beneath at corners
- I'd like to place the carbon fibre up to the lamination joint because I'm thinking the epoxy will help that joint, but it only leaves 1.5mm. If that's not ok I can move it in closer to the truss rod.

[kiwigeo]

My thoughts:

1. Bolt on neck

Bolt and threaded insert works but theres always a risk of insert pulling out if bolt is over tightened. My current preference is bolt and barrel. In terms of strength and risk of failure bolts threading into a bar or rod set in the heel block is the best method IMO.

2. Truss rod placement. I run my truss rod channel all the way through the tenon but I have the adjuster at heel block end of the neck. Any reason you're going with adjuster at the headstock?

3. 2mm of meat between bottom of truss rod channel and back of the neck sounds a bit thin. I have minimum of 4mm. Nothng worse than nearly finishing working of the back of the neck and noticing that little hole that gradually gets bigger!

[Abstraction]

Thanks Martin for prompt response.
- I've never had a guitar with heel end adjustment.
It seems really awkward to me. Headstock end seems simpler to do, but possibly because I've done more thinking about it.
- yeah, 2mm seemed thin to me. My fretboard is about 6mm. What's too thick for 1st fret including fretboard? Looking at my Yamaha 12 the first fret is about 21mm , so the 13.5 could go out to 15 (21mm) and get the 4mm. If I do heel end it can be thinner.
- Bolt and barrel: ok I see a good discussion from 2010 on here. Makes a lot of sense. Is there a particular type you recommend that I can purchase or decent ones from hardware stores are fine?

[kiwigeo]

- Bolt and barrel: ok I see a good discussion from 2010 on here. Makes a lot of sense. Is there a particular type you recommend that I can purchase or decent ones from hardware stores are fine?

Available one Ebay and Amazon: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/121765754370

Note barrel nut length can vary so make sure length fits with width of your neck tenon. I end up with the ends of the barrel nut either flush with or slightly inside width of the tenon.

Also check that hole in the barrel nut is central...some kits have the hole off centre.

[WJ Guitars]

Here are a few more locations to source Barrel bolts. See links and photos. The Fastener factory is located:

Store Address:
257 Huntingdale Rd
Oakleigh VIC 3166

Hope this is also helpful information.

Wayne

https://www.thefastenerfactory.com.au/m ... TUQAvD_BwE

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005 ... UoQAvD_BwE

https://www.boltandnut.com.au/m6-x-15mm ... z8QAvD_BwE

[56nortondomy]

I’m almost finished with the 12 string I’m building, for the neck bolts I’m using 6m barrel nuts and bolts. Wayne

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Thanks so much folks. It takes a bit of work to build a good forum. And this is a great community.

[Abstraction]

Thanks so much folks. It takes a bit of work to build a good forum like this.