Absolutely neccessary?

[they_murdered..]

I have a bass at home that is built without a truss rod, it's a bit older, but i was wondering if the truss rod is asolutely neccassary? i thought it was...

[Geoff St. Germaine]

Does the bass you have play well enough for you? If it does I'd suggest that that means that they aren't "absolutely necessary". I'd also suggest they are a very good thing to have and I wouldn't build a bass without one.

I think that older Modulus graphite necks did not have truss rods.

[Basshole]

Sure there isn't one at the heel?

If the neck is rigid enough, theoretically it doesn't need one, although that precludes the ability to adjust for bowing over time.

Upright basses often do not have a truss rod, and neither do many classical guitars.

[Ray Holt]

Originally Posted by Basshole

Sure there isn't one at the heel?

Double check that! Fender style necks almost always have the adjustment in the heel of the neck. What kind of bass is it?

[they_murdered..]

It is an old Lero bass.

[PilbaraBass]

infamous wishbasses come standard without trussrods...

trussrods are actually extra...go figure...

at any rate...I have one that is 3 years old without a trussrod, and the neck is very stable...but then the neck is quite substantial, too...and as far as easy adjustments...well...forget it...

truss rods aren't "totally necessary"...but they sure are a lot more than "nice to have"...