Do I REALLLY Need a Truss Rod? REALLLY?

[sargebaker]

No Wish references or wisecracks please!

The first generation CBGs we built had no truss rods. We've since started using steel reinforcement bars in our necks. I'm pretty sure they aren't anchored to the ends of the neck so I don't think they can can be considered real truss rods, just steel reinforcements.

Anyways, I'm building my first solid body instrument (a tele-style guitar) for a friend. I'm going to be using a Rosewood neck and a Bloodwood fingerboard. Do you guys think it is necessary for me to include an adjustable truss rod or will it be fine with the steel reinforcement bar? Rosewood and bloodwood are both quite dense and stiff... I don't think there will be any structural problems but then again, I don't know much about this stuff (yet!).

 

[MooseLumps]

Wishbass.


No you don't need a trussrod if the neck is fairly substantial. I'm not a luthier, but in basses with heavier necks you will on average have little movement. A three-five lamination neck will be remarkably stable without one. If it's laminated and re-enforced then it should never move.


One thing though, you have to build it perfect the first time. Perfect. Because you won't be able to adjust it.


I would recommend you use a trussrod. Nay, I urge you friend.

 

[sargebaker]

wow speedy response, thanks! I wasn't planing on laminating, just 1 piece rosewood neck, steel bad, and bloodwood board. I don't think I would build a bass without one, or I'd be reluctant too. Many vintage guitars, I've played (some 80 years old!) without truss rods still had very straight necks, but I know lots don't....

 

[MooseLumps]

Well you are building for a friend. Don't you want him to have the best? It does sound like a sweet build though.

 

[uethanian]

remember that truss rods exist not to make necks stronger, they exist to make necks adjustable. keeping that in mind, its a question of "do i want the ability to adjust the relief to my exact liking?"

"yes."

 

[MooseLumps]

remember that truss rods exist not to make necks stronger, they exist to make necks adjustable. keeping that in mind, its a question of "do i want the ability to adjust the relief to my exact liking?"

"yes."

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
BOOM! There you go.

 

[sargebaker]

Yes The adjustment thing... Perhaps I should just ask the customer/friend what he thinks A note to self to no longer post past midnight Thanks guys. I'll let you know what I do and I'll maybe even post a build thread (even though it's a geetar)

 

[MooseLumps]

My apologies for cracking wise. Hope things go well.

Wishbass.

 

[sargebaker]

My apologies for cracking wise. Hope things go well.

Wishbass.

Malkovich Malkovich.

Thanks, I hope things go well on my end too!

 

[T-Bird]

Hi.

+1 You don't ABSOLUTELY need one.

+100 for the "remember that truss rods exist not to make necks stronger, they exist to make necks adjustable." by uethanian.

The truss rod is what, $10 and the time needed to cut the channel ~30 min including the preparation.

Having a truss rod makes life so much easier.

Just my 0.02€
Sam

 

[Rickett Customs]

Actually, on a guitar ( If I was your friend on the receiving the guitar, that is..), I'd want a nice 2-way rod, like a hot rod. Sometimes on guitar, you do deal with a lack of relief to compensate for. My .02 at least.

 

[Dr Funk]

A truss rod is imperative. If no truss rod here just hang it on a wall that's all it's good for. With the wild range in humidity It will be artwork not a usable instrument. I have to adjust 4 to 6 times a year here to keep it tweaked. Poolside jazz gig 2-5, 95 degrees 99% humidity. Later same day 9-1 funky dance gig AC is at 60 degrees, humidity about 5%... we need truss rods here for sure.

​

 

[Mr. Mig]

Yes, I would go with the truss rod. You want that flexability.

 

[ZolkoW]

Actually, on a guitar ( If I was your friend on the receiving the guitar, that is..), I'd want a nice 2-way rod, like a hot rod. Sometimes on guitar, you do deal with a lack of relief to compensate for. My .02 at least.

+1000

especially with the hard woods mentioned above.

 

[Rodent]

No, truss rods are dnot [sic] required for necks. You do not need one.

curious pc, exactly what personal experience (building, playing, both, something else completely) you base your statement on for there being no need for a trussrod

maybe you've only played/built acoustic uprights?

maybe you've never owned/played a solidbody guitar/bass before?



agreed that they are not an absolute requirement to physically build the instrument. that said, trussrods sure do come in handy if you ever want to actually adjust the neck to keep it at its optimum playability (without the need to break out the woodworking handtools that is)

all the best,

R

 

[vbasscustom]

i dont know, but that guy, phuster-blah blah blah, is givin alot of bad advice today i think. he first tells alembyic.... somethin that he shoudlnt be building, and now, no truss rod is nessesary? i dont know man...

 

[Rickett Customs]

No, truss rods are not required for necks. You do not need one.

That is, if the neck is thick enough to counter any of the tension of the strings (If it was a bass), but also remember that this is also in reference to a guitar, not a bass.

So

Depending on the set of strings used, there may not be enough backbow or upbow as planned, which would necessitate some some sort of adjustment needed. Would a truss rod be handy then?

I wouldn't go without at least 1

 

[SGD Lutherie]

Unless you make your neck like a 2X4 you absolutely do need a truss rod. Even if the neck is straight with the strings up to tension when you first string it up, it wont be a few years from now.

The other thing is, as was said a few times, adjustability. Some people like some relief, some don't. I like my necks almost dead straight, and that very slight amount of relief would be difficult to achieve with no truss rod.

The Hot Rods are simple to install compared to the Gibson style curved rods, so there's really no reason not to use one.

In my basses I use two truss rods and graphite. I rarely have to adjust the necks, but every so often I do.

 

[sargebaker]

I bought one of these: http://www.lmii.com/CartTwo/thirdpr...odHeader=Truss+Rod+-+Double+action+welded+nut

Where are you guys getting 10$ truss rods?

 

[jordan_frerichs]

if i ever tried a no truss neck, i would inclue these things: quartersawn woods, multiple laminates, and thicker neck.