How To Drill A Truss Rod Access Hole In A Guitar Headstock

You don't need a special jig to drill the access hole for a truss rod in a guitar headstock. All you need is a drill, a 1/4" brad point drill bit and a 12" long, 1/4" drill bit.

[@johne7100]

Having now tried it, I'd advise anyone wanting to do it to make a few practice runs with scrap before attacking their nice new neck.

[@daw162]

Don't be afraid to clamp a block to the top of the fingerboard to provide additional support, either.
or if you have wandering bit syndrome, mark with a punch where you want the drill to start.

[@johne7100]

Excellent - thank-you, sir! Now I have to find the loooong drill - best the DIY shops here (France) can come up with is an inch shorter than my headstock.

[@desertdoggz]

Thank you for this video...............much appreciated

[@paul1060]

would drilling a hole prior to sanding the curved part be easier and less prone to mistakes? drilling the hole when it is a 90 degree angle then sanding the curve after

[@ScienceofLoud]

Damn that was fast, the same process takes a lot longer when I'm going it.
Now I'm questioning the sharpness of my bits.

[@mateimc]

Hi, I am trying to wrap my mind around drilling this whole for the truss rod. Tell me please, what is the thickness of the headstock and what is the thickness of the neckshaft? Also, are you mounting the truss rod upside down (with the adjustment nut towards the fretboard side)?
I keep looking at my CAD and it does not add up. I have a 19 mm neck blank with a 14 mm headstock thickness. I am using thin profile double action truss rod (9 mm depth x 5 mm width) and it seems to me that if I mount the truss rod in the conventional way (adjustment nut away from the fretboard side) and drill this hole like you show it, I can't reach it nicely with an allen key afterwads.

[@pipercub45]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@johnniemnemonic73]

Thanks for the video. What size drill bits did you use?

[@getenlightened]

Have you ever done a walnut insert for the truss rod access hole?

[@thesouthsideshovlerleonard13]

Thought you just route the truss rod channel longer and when you make the headstock cut and sand the curve that was your opening? or am I wrong thanks.

[@HighlineGuitars]

You can do it that way but you'll end up with a slot that is open at the top. Not a hole.

[@thesouthsideshovlerleonard13]

@@HighlineGuitars ahh that makes sense sometimes hard to go from 2D to 3D lol always good to try on scrap thanks!!😎😎

[@martymcfly002]

Very cool method. I just have one question: the truss rod is a modern style, ie not in a curved channel, so if you drill the access hole to it at an angle, won't it meet the adjusting nut at an angle? I guess there is still enough wiggle room for an allen key to work when you need to adjust it?

[@HighlineGuitars]

Back when I used this method before I switched to CNC, I used a ball-end allen key to adjust the truss rod. They work at almost any angle.

[@martymcfly002]

@@HighlineGuitars Ah ok that makes sense, thanks!

[@davidseddon2157]

0:54 That's what she said 😂