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Truss
Rod Nuts |
Strat Head necks feature adjustable truss rods that
are located at the heel of the neck and not at the headstock. This meant that the neck had
to be removed to make truss rod adjustments. In fact, some early Charvels have gouges
hacked/carved into their bodies to allow the truss rod to be adjusted without removing the
neck. These routes are NOT original although somewhat common. |
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Charvel Strat Head necks used distinctive truss rod
nuts as illustrated below. Note: Charvel necks with a pointy headstock used a different
truss rod nut and are adjusted at the headstock. |

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Left to right:
#1-First batch truss rod nuts (for inhouse made necks) with single slot and black oxide
plate. Mainly seen during the first year but occasionally pop up into 1980.
#2- First revision with added slot. Still black oxide plated. These begin to disappear in
1981, but can still be found into 1982.
#3- Zinc plating. These are around by the start of 1981 and appear well into 1982.
#4- Bevel added to face. A bevel is added to the outer face edge. Plating changes to
nickel. These appear by 1982.
#5- Raw steel with beveled edge. These appear during 1982 and are the typical style found
on the occasional Strathead neck made through the rest of the San Dimas era.
All nuts are 10-32 thread. The stock is slightly smaller in diameter than a standard
Fender nut. In some instances the hole in a Charvel neck must be enlarged to fit a Fender
nut as replacement. Like any other part, parts sitting at the bottom of the bin can take a
long time to be used up. |
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Example of style #2 (black oxide plating) |
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Example of style #4 (nickle plating with
bevel) |
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