Truss rod mechanics

[billiam5billion]

I've worked on pretty much every part of a Fender bass besides the truss rod. I mean, I've adjusted a truss rod and I know how to make a neck work for me, but I don't know what an actual TR looks like or the principals behind their operation. Could somebody please explain the theory behind the operation of a truss rod on a Fender bass?

[dmusic148]

It's essentially an extremely long bolt with a nut on one end, while the other end is anchored in wood. It's placement causes it to pull the neck into a backbow when tightened. That's it.

Many modern basses have a rod that will expand as well as contract.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

The "Fender" TR principle is that when You have an arc'd, threaded steel rod in a arc'd channel inside a straight piece of wood, one can bend the straight piece of wood by forcing the steel rod to straighten.

The "Fender" TR is an obsolete design and has been that ever since the "Martin" style TR came into production a few decades ago, and the dual acting TR designs are a variation/updated versions of that. The "Fender" TR is very easy and cheap to manufacture though, and is perfect answer for companies that need to save $5 .

Regards
Sam

[Sifl]

Originally Posted by dmusic148

It's essentially an extremely long bolt with a nut on one end, while the other end is anchored in wood. It's placement causes it to pull the neck into a backbow when tightened. That's it.

Many modern basses have a rod that will expand as well as contract.

How though? What is actually happening to the truss rod that causes the neck to straighten?