Classical guitar and truss rod ?

[lw216316]

Why is it that classical guitars don't have truss rods ?

At least, none of the ones I've ever seen have a rod.

A good professional level 'student' grade classical can cost thousands
and
'serious' classicals can be $5k 10k or more.

Why would you not provide truss rods on such expensive instruments ?

- Larry

[Queequeg]

Nylon strings don't exert the kind of tension that steel strings do, plus you're dealing with a 12-fret neck rather than a 14-fret, further reducing the need for neck reinforcement.

[lw216316]

Thanks Q. 

I've seen old classicals with neck problems but I guess it is rare
and
just not cost effective to put rods in them.

It would make the guitar heavier but I'm not sure thats an issue.

My OO size steel string is about the size of my classicals.
It has a truss rod and it does not seem
noticeably heavier than my classical.

- Larry

[leerichards]

Some do. La Patrie put truss rods in their nylon strings and Larrivee do too - at least the LS 03R classical I have just bought from Jim at Trinity has one. I think it means that the neck profile can be made slimmer with the rod installed. Lee

[rockstar_not]

My rather cheapo Valencia classical has a truss rod.  And a rather nice Shadow pickup system.  Solid Cedar Top.  $159.95

http://www.rondomusic.com/product1471.html

BTW, I've never touched the truss rod. 

[lw216316]

interesting, looks like a lot of guitar for the price...

....the tax on a 'student level' professional classical guitar is more than that !

If it sounds pretty good it would be worth buying just as a 'campfire' guitar 

any details on who makes it ?

- Larry

[rockstar_not]

interesting, looks like a lot of guitar for the price...

....the tax on a 'student level' professional classical guitar is more than that !

If it sounds pretty good it would be worth buying just as a 'campfire' guitar 

any details on who makes it ?

- Larry

Larry, it's made in China by a company called 'Team Corporation'.  My bass is an SX from the same company.

I love both instruments for their value.  My next electric guitar will come from Rondo Music as well.

[lw216316]

There was a news item recently about some guitar builders in China getting in trouble...
hope this guitar was not connected with that in any way.  - Larry

[rockstar_not]

There was a news item recently about some guitar builders in China getting in trouble...
hope this guitar was not connected with that in any way.  - Larry

In trouble for what?

[lw216316]

In trouble for what? 

It was a short news story I saw in yahoo news or local newspaper...forget which
I think it was about Counterfeiting, copy rights etc.

and this time there was a plan to go after them.

I thought someone posted about this but I searched and could not find it.

...did some google, but did not find the exact story,
found this, maybe its related
http://www.gear-vault.com/fight-against-counterfeit-guitars/

With a little more Google work, I'm sure you could find the exact story - it was about a week ago

- Larry

[flintsghost]

Jean Larrivee started using adjustable truss rods in his classical guitars around 1976, according to my conversation with his son Matthew.  I know they were installed in 1989 because my L-35 classical had one, and came with the appropriate wrench for same.    Kenny Hill began using an adjustable truss rod in 2001 according to my conversation with him.  Some high quality classicals are made with truss rods i.e. Jason Wolverton.   There are undoubtedly others.

[AZLiberty]

I love both instruments for their value.  My next electric guitar will come from Rondo Music as well.

I'm thinking about this one myself:
http://www.rondomusic.com/al2000spalted.html

Never owned an electric though.

[jandrew]

Why is it that classical guitars don't have truss rods ?

At least, none of the ones I've ever seen have a rod.

Just to clarify, I suspect you mean adjustable truss rods. You can't see the truss rod in my L-07 (built just before adjustable truss rods became standard on Larrivee steel strings), but you can be sure that it does, in fact, have a truss rod.

cheers,
andrew

[JOYCEfromNS]

I'm thinking about this one myself:
http://www.rondomusic.com/al2000spalted.html

Never owned an electric though.

May I suggest you strongly consider a Larrivee RS before you jump on this.

[AZLiberty]

May I suggest you strongly consider a Larrivee RS before you jump on this.

Well, there is that little $1000 difference in price.  If I had a spare grand laying around I'd buy that OM-03R-12 (12 string) over in the classifieds that has been calling to me.

[L07 Shooting Star]

Just to clarify, I suspect you mean adjustable truss rods. You can't see the truss rod in my L-07 (built just before adjustable truss rods became standard on Larrivee steel strings), but you can be sure that it does, in fact, have a truss rod.

cheers,
andrew

Hi again, Jandrew.  It never occured to me that mine, which is very similiar to yours, might have a non-adjustable truss rod in it.  I imagine it does then.  All I know is the neck has remained very stable after 27 years.

Regard, Kurt