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I`m replacing the truss rods in a Pedulla-Orsini bass from 1974. When I removed the fretboard I found that the 2 channels, along with the rods and anchor were back filled with some sort of putty or wood filler leaving no voids anywhere in the neck before the fingerboard was installed. Anyway I`m wondering about converting this to a single truss rod and doing the same sort of back filling to fill the space. Would this make sense? Thanks! (my first post)

I recognize that kind of water putty.... it was rock hard when it cured.

I would go back with two truss rods... but that's just me.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Considering all the channels are already there for two I'd put it back how it was. Looks like an easy system to fab a new one.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

Thanks! I think I`ll stay with the double.

Hey there. I just replaced a rod in a 70's Pedulla Orsini guitar earlier this year. It is about the same age, but they must have been learning as they went.

Does the slot for the rod look straight on this one? This mid 70's guitar I did was straight as an arrow. It did have a maple fill over it nailed in with tiny nails. But that slot was straight, so this guitar never had a real truss rod. Rather than mess with trying to make it right, I ended up using a modern 2 way rod.

These things used to be rather plentiful around New England 20+ years ago. I always remember guys complaining about neck issues. Pedulla was fixing them for a while. I wonder if they were learning how to make truss rods as they went along.

They were probably training someone on that one. They blew the slot but rather than throw the neck away they filed it with putty.
Those necks are long and thin joining the body almost at the end of the fretboard, so the long shafts are usually fairly flexible. The two rods are almost a neccessity in that case, in my opinion.

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Old growth, shmold growth!