Trussrod install - do I need a filler?

[wRaith]

Hey all,

I'm installing the trussrod into my bass and have a question. As I routed out the channel, I routed it right out to the end of the heel of the neck blank. I have made the channel very tight (the trssrod actually gets gently tapped in because it doesn't just slide in), but noticed that Stewmac recommend that you either stop the channel before the end and drill an access hole for the adjusting nut, or route through (like I have done) and then glue in a filler block at the end, then drill through that. Is this required to make the trussrod work properly? Will the trussrod work properly if there is no filler/barrier between the threaded block and the edge of the heel (keeping in mind that the rod will be fitted so tightly it can't be moved with anything less than a pair of pliers, and even then only levered out, not slid along)?

Sorry if any of this is unclear, I don't have a camera so I can't post pictures.

EDIT: I'm using Hot-Rod two-way with an Allen key adjusting nut.

[wilser]

just cut a strip of wood the same width as the channel and fill the groove long enough so that the adjusting nut comes out the other end.

The truss rod CAN slide into the groove and the adjusting nut go in enough that you can't reach it. Even if it's very tight in the channel.

[wRaith]

Not totally sure what you mean there. The channel is the same length as the rod (I will have the adjusting nut exposed at the heel, not the nut). So the end of the rod butts up against the end of the channel, and It has nowhere to go deeper into the neck. I just want to know if a filler piece needs to go near the adjusting nut (like an open doorway) at the heel to stop the rod from sliding out of the neck (i.e towards the bridge).

Sorry guys, I'm not real good at explaining myself.

[wilser]

oh! I thought you meant you had routed from one end of the neck to the other exposed on both sides. You do not need any filler strip if the end opposite to the adjusting nut is butted. The adjusting nut HAS to be expoosed and will not slide out.

[wRaith]

Awesome. Thanks for the help wilser. That's the info I was after.