What Leo Fender Got Wrong... And How To Fix It!

[@larsetom1]

"If you're so smart, build it yourself. That's what I do!" Awesome video. This attitude is why we have so many great instrument builders today!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Well said!

[@keefjunior4061]

In my limited experience in building, the hardest part has been finding excellent lumber for reasonable rates. Having good tools also helps things along.

[@pablogaete4894]

but so few good players of these better-than-ever instruments, and even fewer composing good music...

[@popogejo7245]

@@pablogaete4894 I don't know, my kids seem pretty happy playin Hotel California, Smoke on the Water, Blue yodel # 9, Give me Three steps, T for Texas. Raspberry Baret, Eve of Distruction, Stairway, and they're not even teens yet. lol

[@popogejo7245]

@@pablogaete4894 And yes they help dad build em! ;)

[@semin811]

Hands down the best mod the guitar needed. And what an immaculate job!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks man

[@audiotechlabs4650]

Back in the 60s some of the guitars from Japan had the paddle wheel truss rod adjustment. That's important because a lot of the cheap guitars in the 50s and 60s didn't even have truss rods! I think function trumps fashion! You did the most pleasing way with your pin router. It is exact! Leo was not criticized much because he invented so many new ways to build electric guitars that everyone was blowed away to get guitars that played and sounded so good, the fretted bass guitar and the adjustable bridges, made setting up a guitar to play in tune! Good video Matt and Chris, not on camera! Thanxz

[@TexasToastGuitars]

We think the Yamaha truss rod is the neatest thing they ever did

[@moe59mak]

Thank you so much. I'm putting together my first guitar and went for a prebuilt neck (got lucky with ebay and found a well made one for a steel) and wanted to replace the heel adjust with a wheel. Yours is the only video that showed me how easy it is.

[@oldineamiller9007]

But in defence of Leo, we have to admit, he did a lot less things wrong than the Gibson guys.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

We like Gibson and Fender both

[@keolacam]

What Leo Fender got wrong? Really? could of named it something else

[@JacobVBurg]

@@keolacam In their defense, doing youtube is a business. What you title a video, what kind of thumbnail you use, and the information in the description are all essential to getting picked up by the algorithm. Four months in and it's one of their most popular videos, so what they did works. Unless titles are cringe-inducing click bait, I give everyone a pass. Doing youtube isn't easy and it can be frustrating figuring out how to title a video where you're striking the balance between pleasing your existing viewers and striving to find more. With that said, I agree with the video. Putting tross-rod adjustment at the heal was a terrible decision. Even Gibson, with all of their deserved hate, didn't make that mindboggling mistake. I'm glad things have come full circle now with these new wheel adjusters in higher end super strat style guitars, but I would never buy a guitar without easy trust rod adjustment because I live in Florida.

[@solarismoon3046]

@@JacobVBurg This design was what they used as it was easier economically. Think - there were no boutique guitar makers then and not everyone had exhausted every design possible. With all the mistakes of other makers and designs Leo Fender was the first one to do this. There was no guide or previous experience to go by. He didn't follow cutting edge designs - he WAS the cutting edge!!

[@JacobVBurg]

@@solarismoon3046 Yeah I agree with you, and to further add to your point, Leo didn't even use a truss rod to begin with. He wasn't a musician, he was an engineer. It wasn't until they had to do a numerous quantity of neck warranty claims on the broadcaster/esquire/telecaster that he even put a truss rod in at all. With all of my nitpicking, my favorite guitar is my stock Fender Player Strat. I will be a Fender person until I die, but it's still fun to nitpick sometimes.

[@crazywisdom2]

You Nailed it ! This IS the best mod. I have a tele with a heel adjust. And it baffles me that Leo missed this. But such is life. Great job !

[@hugogarciaperez929]

Nice job! The wheel adjustment is one of the things I love in my American Elite strat, I'm not a traditionalist. A shame they stopped making it that way

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks for watching Hugo, who knows why they stopped making them?

[@matthewmp111]

It makes so much sense to use the wheel. I can’t imagine why they discontinued it.

[@rolandjgutierrez7737]

adjusted mine yesterday geting ok at it .man what a great idea but you know how to go with the flow not everything is set in stone and you understand that great video.

[@GosselinCreative]

That's a pretty cool doohickey! I did a similar mod once while keeping the original screw head. You just carve out the body wood in the way of the screw at about a 45% angle. Enough so you can get a Phillips screwdriver in there to reach the head. You then file a corresponding hole in the pickguard.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

that works great too

[@tedruybalid2262]

Yes! Been playing Fenders since 1961 and that's the way I do it. If you look at a lot of pre-CBS Strats, many of them have a small groove worn into the pickguard from a screwdriver. I've never had to remove a neck to adjust it. Small groove looks better than a rectangular hole w/knob...in my very humble opinion. 😊

[@martinpearson2742]

I'm 65 and always shyed away from buying a stratocaster with a truss rod ajuster in the heel until now!!!!!! Thanks for a great and easy to follow video. You have a new subscriber. Cheers Martin (from the UK)

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks for watching Martin, glad you enjoyed it

[@TheBearraider1]

Leo Fender and George Fullerton got it right when they started G&L guitars.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

We like G&L guitars too

[@dackrambo8779]

Nice job...but...and nobody else asked this: Since every neck is different...every neck has different issues. While In some situations the truss rod remains Luce barely tight at all while in other situations it’s necessary to bear down on the truss rod and tighten it to deal with some particular neck issue. With the wheel adjusted like you put it too tight in the trash rod means that the inside edge of your wheel is going to rub and bear down on the outside edge of the heel of the neck...seems to me that over time You might be wearing down the heel of your Fender Strat, Jazz Master, Jaguar, Mustang, P bass, whatever. To say it another way… Depending on the situation you may need to tighten a truss rod you may need to loosen the trash right in the situation you’ve created by adding the wheel bearing edge becomes the end of the neck at the hill and it seems like it might be a little well, not good for the end of the neck How might we deal with that situation after doing the MOD you suggested?

[@JC-11111]

@@dackrambo8779 is that an issue with the guitars that, come with a wheel? I don't see why it would be here? Even if it is, all you have to do is make a depression in the neck where the wheel sits so it doesn't touch anything. Personally, I think if you're having that big of an issue with a neck that you need to tighten the truss rod that much, you need another neck because that one already has issues anyway.

[@l3ertuz362]

except for the headstock design

[@RayLawrenceJrMUSIC]

I like this mod. I am actually doing this to a P bass. Guitars are modded a lot to fit a players needs, so what you did is great and it is a much better idea too. No fiddlin around with a truss rod wrench and chancing a stripped out adjuster.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks Ray

[@RayLawrenceJrMUSIC]

@@TexasToastGuitars you're welcome

[@PowderMill]

👍🏻 👍🏻 "IT'S SO EASY THAT CNC GUYS CAN DO IT".... 😆😷 I know absolutely NOTHING about guitars, other than loving classic rock. I have no idea why this video came up in my "recommended" video listing, but I'm sure happy I found your channel. It can't hurt to learn a little something about everything, so thanks!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks for watching brotherman

[@brettkramer]

I would love to have this feature. In Chicago, weather changes and dry, radiator heat during the Winter are constantly causing guitar necks to change. Really nice video.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks for watching Brett

[@brettkramer]

@@TexasToastGuitars Just curious, would you also be able to work your magic and make my HIghway One Texas Telecaster lose 1 or 2 pounds?

[@pg123ab]

Stew Mac has a specific tool to adjust the truss rod at the heel. I believe they’re $6. No need for an expensive repair and cosmetic change (personally I don’t like the way it looks).

[@SidBonkers51]

Just search for: Truss Rod Crank For Tele. A great tool.

[@MostlyTorso]

A VERY great tool, but you still have to take the pick guard off to use it--or at least I have to with my 60s Original Telecaster. Granted, I don't have to work the truss rod very often, but the dang thing should be accessible without removing other pieces. If I had a true 50s or 60s era Fender, I'd use that little truss rod tool and not mangle a mature guitar, but I do think I'm going to do this to my 2018 copy.

[@SpeedisH94]

That guitar didn't have any space for the tool anyway. Sad thing

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Yep, I have one of those tools and they work great. Listen, I do what my customers ask me to do. Sorry if you don't like this and hate me as a human being

[@MostlyTorso]

Texas Toast Guitars Finally-an apology! Ha ha.

[@KazKasozi]

The information is great and how you deliver it made me subscribe.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Awesome, thank you!

[@BAJARACER43X]

I have 5 or so Strats, 1 for 30 yrs, I can count the times on 1 hand ive had to adjust a truss rod, you set a maple neck and it stays for a long time

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Agreed

[@butteredbiskit3497]

I agree. At least not enough to bother until a string change.

[@SpeedisH94]

Just curious. Would you mind if I ask where do you keep your guitar? or area you live in? Fender necks in Korea is kinda moving by each season. Most people around me never said one is stable, so....

[@butteredbiskit3497]

@@SpeedisH94 eww that sucks! I'd keep it away from outside walls and vents. Are you keeping it in a case? You may try that.

[@jaecenwhite2590]

Minsup Song I’ve got a 65 rosewood B width neck and a 93 maple neck and neither requires adjustment except maybe once every few years. I have them on guitar hangers on the wall.

[@thefilthygringo9228]

I love the truss rod adjustment on the heel of both my strats. Visually and it makes you get into your guitar to adjust ot

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Good call I actually like them too

[@NicoSabatiniGuitar]

This is a great mod. I have a couple of guitars (Teles and Strats) with heavy flame neck and they sound great but are not particularly stable, so this would save a lot of bother. Can the same be done with a small Allen key type nut like Suhrs? I'd rather not route expensive master built Fenders so I'm looking for reversibility

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I'm not sure, you will have to let me know

[@Last_one_before_I_go]

This is a great solution. Super clean and 10x more efficient.

[@BoomerBends]

My Eric Johnson signature could use this for sure. Midwest is full of humidity extremes.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Don't let the Fender nerds hear you say that... you will start getting hate mail too HAHAHA

[@nickburmanmusic]

Make sure you get the EJ001 model inserts made from 1954 brass, otherwise you'll lose all the tone you gained from draining your Duracells and backing off the screws in your Big Muff.

[@BoomerBends]

@@nickburmanmusic lol. No worries. There is a closed knot in the Alder on the upper bout that Eric would likely claim to mitigate any tone loss suffered in the procedure.

[@nickburmanmusic]

@@BoomerBends ah the Tone Knot. Eric can’t play without one!

[@real_fjcalabrese]

Thanks for posting this. The traditional Fender truss rod adjustment is a pain in the ass.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

This is one way to make life a little easier

[@Scion4600]

I love wheel adjustments, I never liked adjustments at the headstock. Never going back.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Live how you want to live baby!

[@JoeKyser]

Are they easy to use? I can't picture it being as easy as it seems. Makes me want to try it for sure though

[@edwindude9893]

Me too buddy. I got a very skilled mate to convert my 1986 strat to a wheel. He did a lovely job. There was nothing after market in 1997 so he did a weld job.

[@questionmark5463]

@@JoeKyser I have the wheel adjust on a MusicMan as well as on my Charvel San Dimas. They actually make adjustments very easy..and you don't have to loosen or move the strings like you might have to do with adjustment at the headstock end. It's just a little more convenient.. Especially if you live in a climate where you need to make slight tweaks to the neck quite often. Some people just don't like the look of it I guess.

[@BittenHand19]

"Anyone getting uptight about a reissue guitar going under the knife, blow it out your ass" is the statement that gained your channel a new subscriber lol

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks Andrew

[@donaldtownsend6737]

I think that if Hendrix was alive, his favorite strat would be the bullet truss rod maple fingerboard neck, with a flatter radius.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Good call

[@stringspicksandfiddlestick6388]

If Hendrix was alive he would have loved Floyd Rose.

[@urwholefamilydied]

I don't think he would give a fuck about truss rod adjustment. And anyone who does this mod is weird. I've been playing for 25 years... once a year I might have to take my guitar to my tech to pay him 30 bucks to adjust my truss. (or do it myself... not a huge headache)

[@peterwelsh1932]

@@urwholefamilydied anyone here is weird

[@Driessens_Peter]

its more a purist thing i guess, a vintage fender blablabla. its the name and fame. (nothing wrong with that tho) i love fenders to. But i go for functioanlity, and thats what Hendrix would have done to. I own a 200$ Ibanez Gio, i adjusted the rod to perfection, made a few improvements and it is by far my best and favourit guitar. so its all between the ears whats good or wrong. do you play on a guitar to play or for its value?

[@Clambelly]

nice work. what prevents the wheel from simply unloosening from the truss rod, and thus have no effect on tension

[@TexasToastGuitars]

friction on the threads, it's really just another style nut on a long bolt

[@borasmussen4794]

I love the "Blow it out your ass!!" Comment lol 😂😂 and I totally agree with you sir 👍👊

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks Bo there are a lot of people who hate me for doing videos like this. Can't wait for the Les Paul one HAHAHA

[@borasmussen4794]

@@TexasToastGuitars lol 😂 don't even get me started on the "Gibson" guys lol! I saw a video of this Russian guy that did this beautiful strip and refin of a mid 90s LP standard and all anyone was saying in the comments is how he ruined the value of it! Are you fucking kidding me!?? A 90s LP standard!!?? Monkeys (actual monkeys, not referring to the kind people who live there) in Malaysia were making better guitars then! I was like WTF is wrong with you people??? The guy did every little detail like removing the neck and fret board and binding. I mean it was just breathtaking the craftsmanship of this guy and all these butt holes could do was bitch about defacing (their words not mine) the damn thing! Anyway cheers to you sir and thanks for the great vids as I rely on content like yours to aquire more knowledge of the craft! Thank you!

[@edsterling5258]

Funniest thing I've heard in days!

[@AnodyneHipsterInfluencer]

@@edsterling5258 Now we're really pushing it. You must not get out much.

[@FranciscoGarcia-hi3zx]

Love how this is the top comment.

[@ginolamendola4084]

Great video,great info but I would have liked you to finish the guitar and played a sound demo with the new pickup.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Noted

[@connorclose3084]

To be fair, this video was specifically about replacing the truss rod adjustment method and not about the replaced pickup. They just happened to replace the pickup because the customer requested it. That of course is just my opinion though, have a nice day!

[@ginolamendola4084]

Connor Close that is true and I do understand.

[@pleximanic]

Leo's biggest miscalculation on the strat was 1.The string spacing (56mm) which is way too wide for the width of the fretboard 2.The 7.25” radius only usable with a bow. 3. The truss rod accessibility suck. But leaving aside these three points the Stratocaster is a marvelous design.

[@djh_music]

pleximanic some of us actually like 7.25” radius and people slag off bullet truss rods. I have a ‘79 stays in tune and plays gorgeous, Hendrix/Mayfield chording a breeze with 7.25 radius

[@starcloud4959]

7.25" is perfect. You can get your whole hand around the fretboard, it fits the hand like a glove .best radius ever.Bet even Van Halen would agree.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

There is a butt for every bench

[@jlr022159]

The 7.25 radius is actually very comfortable to play on and there were MILLIONS of recordings made with that radius that will easily back my statement up. Only people who can’t play or are totally misinformed would make a statement like that.

[@rjake61]

People have to realize it was the 1950s. Leo was into country swing, and there really weren’t any rock and rollers to speak of, bending strings and laying on the whammy. The designs worked, and I really wouldn’t call them “mistakes”. They sure as hell weren’t “mistakes” in 1954. Pretty successful electric guitar design since they’re still using the same blueprint 66 years later.

[@MrAllan9]

Wonder if it will change the resonance of cutting out the first pick up cavidty to place the wheel. It will not sound the exact same. Strings and vibrations have to meet up on good terms.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I doubt anyone without bionic hearing will be able to notice

[@kirkbolas4985]

I think Leo did a pretty good job at creating new or improving existing tech, especially when one considers that he wasn’t a guitar player. If one places a 1954 Stratocaster or a 1952 Telecaster next to the 2020 examples of the same respective models, it’s obvious how little the design has changed over the years. That speaks to how much he got right. I do agree that the heel-end truss rod adjustment was one area in need of improvement. The wheel nut is one solution. I watched a Stew Mac YT video yesterday where the host demonstrated a Stew Mac created specialty tool that allows for the adjustment of the heel-end truss rod without removing the neck from the guitar and only requires the pick guard first being removed.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Who said that Leo Fender wasn't good at what he did? Video titles are often used to get people to watch

[@qua7771]

Having to take the guitar completely apart 3 times to get a proper adjustment seems perfectly rational to me as well. I would want mine to be even more challenging to adjust. Moving it to the other end of the neck would have been too easy. Great minds think alike!

[@andyjor574]

Thank you for this video. Now I have hopes for my Japanese '62 Fender Strat without having to worry about the wood getting worn out from constant screw unwinding.

[@dezionlion]

When Leo designed it this way the necks were baseball bats and didn’t move or even need truss rods!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Agree to disagree

[@GuitarStarAcademy]

Actually, his original thought was that they wouldn't move. He actually used to tour the county using a neck balanced between two chairs that he would apply pressure to to show how rigid they were. But then the whole reality of climate and wood being an organic matter came into play and players that traveled with their fender guitar were complaining of necks warping. So Leo installed the truss rod, again placing the adjustment at the heal assuming it would only need to be done infrequently. A thicker neck helps, but is still no match for mother nature

[@booshting3520]

He was mistaken, they moved

[@Jah_Rastafari_ORIG]

@denzionlion. I put an actual baseball bat on my guitar; turns out it didn't sound all that great so I used a hockey stick instead...

[@walterw2]

*actually* actually ;) when he first came up with the heel-adjust rod it was on the original broadcaster and the original single-coil P-bass; with both of those, all you had to do was remove a small black pickguard that had nothing mounted on it, slip it out from under the (still tuned) strings and the truss rod nut was right there in a big body clearance gap, ready to be tweaked. the hassle started with the strat in '54 where you couldn't just slip the pickguard out because it had all the stuff mounted to it. i suppose by that point they weren't gonna change out all the machines for a different truss rod design and that was that

[@thenowherestairs]

Great informative video. The quality of your work and precision are excellent.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thank you very much!

[@maakatipa4613]

I can understand someone wanting to keep THEIR vintage Strat, Tele, Les Paul, whatever, in it's original format, But what the PHUK it's got to do with anyone else, what I do to MY guitar. Putting it politely, Pyss off. I totaly agree that this was a mistake by fender. Even if Strats generally don't need adjusting very often. If you do need to make adjustments then this becomes a much bigger job than need be. Plus every time you remove screws from timber, there is a chance of the wood thread being damaged. Or the screw driver slips and scratches the pick guard, Whatever! And if you look at Leo Fenders original idea, that if something goe's wrong with the neck, then just replace it. What's the big deal when it's not even your guitar.

[@nickbouvy6524]

Maaka Tipa Yep. I was interested in a 60s reissue strat but couldn’t live with that stupidity. Bought a Silver Sky. Love it.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

People love to tell others they are wrong

[@johngregory7329]

Hi Matt, I agree with you 100 percent. That is definitely the best set up for Fender guitars & basses. You guys are excellent. You really know your craft. Stay safe and well. Signed John Zepbass. Munster, Indiana.

[@timbrundage3745]

Nothing....Leo got nothing wrong.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

We love Fender guitars too

[@TJJJJJJJJJJJ]

@5:46 curious if there was any noticeable change in sustain or tone ? After removing that little bit of material. I helped a mate tidy up the neck pocket on a cheap kit guitar he had built and was surprised how just cleaning up the contact made a discernible difference even acoustically. Not sure if it was caused by the removal of mass (doubtful) or was just resonating better with proper /even contact

[@JC-11111]

No. That was like 10 grams of material. Come onnnnnnnnn. Having the neck seat well, on the other hand, can make a discernable difference, as you saw. If the neck is only contacting the pocket in a couple of spots, the vibrations aren't transferred efficiently whatsoever.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

No change

[@TJJJJJJJJJJJ]

JC that was my original thought hence I was shocked when there was a noticeable change in sustain on my mates cheap kit. I think it was more to do with the contact than with material loss obviously

[@JohnShalamskas]

@@GCKelloch (Slightly loosening and then) "Retightening the neck screws under string tension can improve sustain." I tried this trick on my Nash S-57 and on a cheap Chinese Les Paul that uses a bolt on neck. Not much change on the Nash, it was already a pretty tight fit. But on the Chibson, the neck clicked into place against the body and guitar tone became livelier.

[@stevennorris3641]

There is a very damn good reason Leo Fender designed the bolt on neck to have the truss rod adjustment at the heel. I will not tell you why. I will tell you, it is perfection.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

This is the funniest comment I have ever gotten. Thanks for making my day Steven. I have to share this with everyone.

[@tobbebergman7583]

Thanks a Million ! My worries are 100 % gone !

[@darrylmiller7327]

Hey you guys are incredible wish you were here in new Jersey I'm a jazz guitarist 21 in my collection right wish we had great tech's like you guys here thanks.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Maybe one day? My wife is from there

[@pavelczyzynski7683]

Check out the VegaTrem bridge upgrade for strat. You'll dig it!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I'll check it out

[@RobSmathome]

I enjoy your channel! What stops the 'new' wheel nut simply unscrewing when you want to 'loosen' the truss rod?

[@zigzignuts]

Neat router plate attachment for your dremel tool Matt...where would one find one of those?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Hi Rob, that one came from StewMac

[@Jeff-nk5lv]

Very nice job. Thinking I will do this mod to my Flea Signature Jazz bass.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Glad to help, those are nice basses

[@wallyg3]

I think that's a great solution to an obvious design flaw. Love ya, Leo.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

It makes adjusting the truss rod some easier

[@jamesparlane9289]

The 'thing' at 7:23 is a Jig or template. Pardon my ignorance as I cannot play an electric guitar but why do you need to adjust the truss rod. Do you have to keep re tightening them?

[@JohnShalamskas]

The truss rod counteracts the neck being bent by string tension. When temperature and humidity changes, the wood will expand or contract, which can make it necessary to adjust the amount of curve in the neck.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

You may or may not have to keep adjusting the truss rod

[@JohnShalamskas]

@@TexasToastGuitars Right, it depends on the piece of wood and how much the temperature and humidity changes. Also you could decide to put on some much heavier or lighter strings, which will pull harder or softer on the wood.

[@kurtwederquist5880]

What a great solution, fun to watch the modification.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks very much Kurt

[@m.stewart8094]

why would it have a walnut insert at the headstock if it has the adjustment at heel?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Good eye M. We see lots of things that shouldn't really be there on Fenders. Lots of skunk stripes on rosewood necks etc. There has to be a lot of tribal lore at a big company like Fender.

[@scowell]

Because it's the same base neck used for the headstock bullet TR adjust... easier to just plug the top and drill out the anchor at the bottom.

[@davidparr1979]

On a single action truss rod you do not want the truss rod to turn or spin in the neck only the nut at the heel .you want to turn the nut clockwise to force a slight bow in the neck called up bow. so at the headstock end there is a knurled nut that is either pinged or welded. To the headstock end of the rod 3/16" in diameter then the rod is tapped in from headstock to heel to follow the curve of the truss rod Channel when it's tapped into place the knurled nut bites into the wood and will not allow movement then they take a wood dowel Fender used Walnut possibly Rosewood as well then glued that into place cut off the excess and shaped it into follow the curve of the headstock then the adjustment nut was put on the heel end of The neck and the neck could then be adjusted for a up bow this is what you call a single action rod.a fillet piece also called a skunk strip was then compressed against the rod and glued into place to insure a tight fit to prevent rod rattle a plastic sleeve or paper straws were also used to cover the rod to help aid in eliminating Rod rattle to. There were a few variations on this but that's the basics on the single action truss rod.david parr .parrs custom guitars .

[@KCElectrics]

Working on a Tele now and doing a heel truss rod access and people are probably going to freak, but I also like the look of the headstock without! Great video and instruction

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Sounds good to me KC

[@SharpEdgeStandardOfficial]

Wow nice work man! Very clean! I wonder if this mod will work with my Charvel san dimas guitar. Awesome video!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

It should, I'd test out the truss rod nut first to see if it can be removed

[@davekiddie4467]

I remember doing this year's ago. Works great

[@TexasToastGuitars]

How much hate mail did you get?

[@davekiddie4467]

@@TexasToastGuitars lol

[@jonathanhandsmusic]

Great video! I need to do this on my Tele. Just got a Fender’51 U shape to mount on a Squier classic vibe. Out of the box the neck looks very straight and flat. Gonna file the nut and adjust the saddles, then add a little relief.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I hear those are really cool

[@justdave9783]

I have a parts-built Tele that will be getting this upgrade in the near future. Absolutely brilliant!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I hope you like it Dave I think it's a cool thing to try and see Take care

[@sighteternal497]

Great video! What is the the single slot humbucker that was replaced the single coil? I am going to do that with my strat!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks for watching, that was a lil' 59

[@sighteternal497]

@@TexasToastGuitars Thank you kindly!

[@OnTheFritz602]

That came out great, I'd do that in a heartbeat with that "arrangement"!

[@JamesJLaRue]

About to try this on a 22 fret neck, hope the notch in the fretboard overhang comes out ok. Not sure the best way to handle that since there's a radius, and the dremel router base would be sitting on the radius. Otherwise I can rest the flat back of the heel on a router table and freehand the notch. The walls of the notch would be perpendicular but it might be funky if done without a template. Template attached to bottom side of neck, with a long enough bit to reach the fretboard?

[@dustinmarcatti5381]

Very cool, thanks, I HATE heel adjustment truss rods, I'm doing this.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

It is a neat way to go Dustin

[@kentuckyjim5108]

Brilliant video matt ! I have hated those heal truss rod adjustments for 44 years. I have 4 american made strats and not one of them has a heel truss adjustment. I go out of my way to avoid a heel adjustment truss rod. Now a know there is a way to change it. if I do find one I like now. Thanks so much matt and chris.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Right on!

[@gangnamstylegrandpa6352]

Very cool idea ! I also hate heel adjustment , but I hate cutting holes in my guitar more . I have used the stock truss rod adjustment for so many years that I am used to it . Just a little annoying ! Love your channel , great job on the mods ! If I was younger , I would probably try it ! ( I am 72 years old )Been playing fenders forever , I feel like the old American standards are perfect . I have several . My old Tele and Jazz Bass get the old phillips screw driver scene !

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks for watching my friend

[@PintsofGuinness]

maybe this is a dumb question, but if the truss rod adjustment piece just screws on and off like that, how does it actually move the truss rod? it looks to me like loosening that would only move that piece and not the actual truss rod.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

The truss rod on old school necks is known as a single action truss rod. The adjustment nut only acts on the neck when tightened. Now, if you were to adjust the rod and then do work on the frets or even true and radius the fretboard and then loosen the rod the neck will move but that would be through in-action and relaxing rather than action. I should do a massive video about truss rods some day

[@robertturner1550]

Looks great and works great. Thanks for creating the video.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks for watching Robert

[@ronaldriddle144]

I wonder how you tighten up the wheel enough to where it doesn't just come unscrewed when you turn it to the left when is neck pressure on it.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

The way the rod works it will always come off the treads if you turn it to the left enough.

[@eIectroboy]

U can also use a г-type flat screw from stewmac, without a bullet change. ;) (upd. I meant a screwdriver)

[@TexasToastGuitars]

R Type?

[@eIectroboy]

@@TexasToastGuitars img2.stewmac.com/product/images/4394/truss-rod-crank-for-tele.jpg this one )

[@BeesWaxMinder]

hubeax 🤔 how do they get that to fit..? Wouldn’t they need to unscrew the neck some to use that thing?

[@dagkarlsson7182]

This is exactly the video I needed to see. Just picked up a amazing Japanese fender P bass only to notice the heel adjust….

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Rock on!

[@bobholland5302]

I would have painted it white before I installed it. But I never considered that until you mentioned it was black. Great video Matt

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I only do what the customer asks me to do

[@wout69]

Texas Toast Guitars Befehl ist befehl!

[@pistolpete7280]

Awesome mod!! The spokewheel adjustment is a game changer

[@pbtrading]

Thanks for the video, I got used to the heel adjustment, but this mod seems fun.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

It will work, not totally necessary but chicks dig it

[@Ruddigore]

Nice mod and very practical. A great video.... but there again they always are!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks Christopher, I have been catching a lot of shade for this one HAHAHA

[@catboyzee]

Awesome video. And I agree with some of what you've said. Probably one of my few criticisms of Mr. Fender was that, as a habitual tinkerer of his designs, I feel like he overthought some of the things he came up with. The thought that players would simply want to replace a broken-in neck in case it was seriously damaged was one of those. I believe many guitarists would agree with me that a neck that feels and plays right isn't that easy to replace.

[@Stratisfied22]

That's an awesome fix for that. Taking the neck on and off to use the truss rod is a pain and this is a fix anyone can do. Great stuff.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks for watching my friend, it is easy to do and is a feature that can really help

[@pmvoice88]

Cool and incredibly easy mod. Thanks.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Glad you like it my friend

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

I must have been in a hurry in youth, I used to loosen the neck screws till I could just tilt the neck back so the screw truss rod was easy to get to(loosened the strings 1st a bit). The Esquire/tele is a breeze, just unscrew the the pickguard and remove it...but you already knew that. Thanks for the great videos.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks for watching my friend

[@rogermoore2798]

Love the mod....was there any shielding in the body cavities?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks Roger, I don't recollect if there was or not

[@wiseguy9202]

Very nice but how much room does it have for adjustment? Looks like the wheel is already maxed out once it butts up to the bottom of the neck?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

It's got more adjustment than the 3/16 rod

[@wiseguy9202]

@@TexasToastGuitars I have no experience with this type of rod so I'm wondering if it's maxed out once the wheel touches the neck?

[@neilslade]

My 1979 Strat has the truss rod access at the head, and perfectly easy to adjust.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Good to know

[@tommacdonald6295]

Great video exactly what I was looking for 👌 .Great job.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thank so much for watching Tom, I'm happy to hear we could be of some help my friend

[@velvethausfrau]

Question: if you turn the truss rod in the same direction as loosening the screw-on wheel, wouldn’t it just loosen the screw instead of adjusting the tension on the truss rod?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

it certainly does Greg

[@2400cc]

Nice job. Hate removing the neck to adjust the truss rod...

[@TexasToastGuitars]

It can be a bummer

[@michael_caz_nyc]

How do you Remove the broken Trem-arm in the block? This happened to me, on my guitar. This was great. Professional Job. Enjoyed it.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks Michael, we removed the block and replaced it. I'm sure a person could get the busted arm piece out but time is money and a new block and arm assembly was pretty affordable compared to the time it took to just get a new one

[@michael_caz_nyc]

@@TexasToastGuitars Thanks. I want to sell it. 78 Strat. Bought a Suhr. (talk about upgrades). Any recommendation for Replacement block? Stay Safe brother.

[@gorlagOv]

That’s a cool mod. I never thought of doing that.

[@joaovictorsalles]

I From Brazil, Very Thanks for Information!

[@kennethsrensen7706]

Nice little solution .

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks Kenneth, not everyone's favorite solution BUT it does work :)

[@0013619511]

You good guy how much to do that ?

[@G-NutZ]

I have a body that needs this route, can I send it to you and you have you route the notch?

[@DarkRattlehead]

While people may or may not agree on body mods when it comes to vintage guitars, if you're on the road the guitar tech will thank you a thousand times!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I think so too. I would never recommend this be done with a vintage instrument

[@idiotdrummer60]

Would it not be an idea to put a washer between the new truss rod adjuster & the neck?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

The original washer was still in place

[@davidperkins2943]

Is there any mileage in putting a thrust washer between the wheel a nd the neck? There is probably one underneath the original adjuster to prevent wear/compression of the wood.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Yes you need a washer but there was already one there

[@mattdoliver1984]

Hi Matt, I’m Matt ..... I wondered why you were so cool 👍🏼 What a cool video, I didn’t realise you could do this mod to the truss rod adjustment, well in all honesty I’ve never given it that much thought, it really doesn’t bother me that the adjustment is on the heel. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@Pnanasnoic]

Good job. Clean work.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thank you!

[@3tmbn429]

Nice video thank you upload.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks for visiting

[@michaelbailey1440]

Good one, thank you.

[@brettmiller7366]

I just ordered two vintage made in Japan fender bass. Jazz and Mustang. I’m still waiting for them to ship to me. Much to my surprise I found that the truss rod adjustment is not wheel or at top of neck like you mentioned. The only way I would modify these fenders is if I had someone to do the exact same job you did with those tools. I know some pretty good luthier‘s in my area but none of them would have the skill to do what you did. I think most luthier‘s would not. Is there a specialty machining type of shop I can go to to get this done to where it will be exactly laser precise?

[@kevinfries55]

I would like to see how you're getting the broken wammy bar out of the block. Of course that's providing you simply didn't replace it with a brass block.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

We just replaced the block

[@bjamminsincebirth3494]

Will this work on a Fender Bass?

[@31turnip]

Great video. The original adjustment doesn't bother me so much but I have basses with the wheel and it is better, I really appreciate Musicman doing it.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Totally agree

[@mateuszpiotrowski]

very good job

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks my friend

[@miekgenklefin9616]

I had the opportunity to buy one of your Jazzmasters from a player in town, I passed. I still think about that guitar to this day. It was a a killer piece. I'm glad to see a video from you. I never heard of you before or since that guitar, until today.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks for watching brotherman

[@MarvelJAM]

Love this. Thank you

[@jwilkinson341]

On your guitar you can see a filled in truss rod hole on the headstock is this for looks or was it done to facilitate the installation as some guitars with heal truss rods don't have them maybe it done just on maple

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I'm not really sure John, it isn't my guitar and it's long gone now