Pull the trussrod plastic plug (JMs, Jags, Strats)

[FinallyBlossom]

Hey there

I was wondering if anyone has ever pulled that black trussrod plastic plug from a Fender / Squier guitar's headstock? I love my SQ JMJM's neck and I'm about to install it to a different kind of JM body. I also dig the vintage style Fender guitars where they kept the trussrod adjustment screw on the bottom of the neck instead of having it on the headstock. Nevertheless, the trussrod adjustment notch can't be changed on my lovely JMJM neck and so I thought about that idea to simply get rid of that black plastic plug in order to get a nicer look to the JMJMs headstock (in my eyes).

My idea of how it might look like:




or



How it actually looks like for now:





It's really just a question of aesthetics.


Would love to read your thoughts on this!

Cheers
FB

[CROSS_guitars]

IMO, Headstock truss rod holes that don't have the black or rosewood plug, just look really cheap to me.
I'd leave it how it is.

[andy_tchp]

I can't imagine a good looking result from this.

[Telliot]

I can't imagine a good looking result from this.

Nor can I.

[ohm-men]

I'd be surprised if you can "pull" the plug...
I guess it will be glued in.
The only way to get it out is by drilling with a sharp drill bit and a very sturdy hand... Or with a sharp rounded chissel
Honnestly, I think there is a huge chanche this operation will lead to disaster...
Especially since the truss rod adjustment screw is likely to get damaged in the process...

Just my 2 cents

[interceptör]

I can't imagine a good looking result from this.

Pretty, no.

Entertaining Youtube content, hell yes.

[FinallyBlossom]

Gutternoize james has, apparently, pulled / removed his guitar's trussrod plug and it looks super ace in my opinion

[Dr Tony Balls]

I thought the plug had something to do with a dual action truss rod, and that removing it would cause problems. Could be wrong, though.

[CROSS_guitars]

I still associate non-plugged headstocks with cheapo knockoff guitars. Just looks weird having a gaping hole in the headstock without any embellishments.
I think a better option is to paint the headstock the same as the body if you don't like the black plug look.

[FinallyBlossom]

I still associate non-plugged headstocks with cheapo knockoff guitars.

G&L has been doing it ever since ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[CROSS_guitars]

And everyone hates their headstocks.

[gerardguey]

IMO, Headstock truss rod holes that don't have the black or rosewood plug, just look really cheap to me.
I'd leave it how it is.

Same. Though I agree with OP that heel adjust looks the best. I tried doing a 70s bullet truss conversion to one of those black plugs and failed, so I was stuck with a massive, unsightly, plug-less hole that would get full of dust. I would recommend against it personally.

Also some of the nicer MIJ models still use the black plug as if it was a Squier or MIM, so the black plug feels slightly less cheap to me now lol.

IMO:
Heel adjust = 70's Bullet truss rod > walnut plug > black plug > no plug

[timtam]

A few more considerations than just aesthetics ... Some fake Fenders lack that plug, as many of the cheaper necks that commonly appear on such guitars tend not to have it. So the plug is something that people look for to verify a real Fender - less so on Squiers simply because why would anyone fake it ? Also, a double action truss rod relies on the plug to provide a block to truss rod movement in one direction that allows it to work. But the Mascis JM does not have not such a truss rod AFAIK. You can find truss rod repair videos on youtube that show various ways to break the glue and get the plug out if you really want to.

[copacetic]

Looking at the original gutternoize instagram post, I see no mention of removing the truss rod plug, and in the comments he basically confirms its a "knockoff" neck with a fender decal applied. Likely never had a truss rod plug to begin with, as many of these necks dont.

I honestly wouldnt encourage anyone to attempt to remove the plug unless an issue with the truss rod necessitates it.. Not much to be gained from it, and i think itll be more difficult to make it look clean and original than you expect. Painting the headstock would be a cleaner, easier way to hide the truss rod adjustment. Unless you are SUPER skilled with a steady hand and proper tools, it will look visibly like it has been modified. Keep in mind that a tinted amber finish has been sprayed on the neck and if you remove the plug, the wood underneath would be white, untinted maple. If you do this, expect to do some refinishing or touching up on the finish.

[GilmourD]

IMO, Headstock truss rod holes that don't have the black or rosewood plug, just look really cheap to me.
I'd leave it how it is.

Ironically, for the vast bulk of necks like that, it's usually the lower-spec import necks without a plug. Rarely you have a high-end neck like that, although I think that's how Musikraft does it and... Well, nobody in their right mind would call them lower-spec. LOL

I can't imagine a good looking result from this.

Every time I've seen one removed it's because the truss rod nut was turned fully counterclockwise, which puts pressure on it, and eventually cranked SOOOO HARD that it pushes it out... Often taking splinters along with it. I did see one that was drilled out, but it was also not the best looking result.