Truss rod orientation.

[ON the ONE]

When orienting the truss rod, does anyone have an opinion about neck end adjustment versus head stock end adjustment?
What difference does it make if any and why.
I have made many guitars but this is my first bass neck. I own great playing basses that have one or the other, is it only a matter of taste?
Thanks

 

[T-Bird]

Hi.

I'd say it's rather a matter of an opinion than of taste.

There's certain designs that call for one or the other, and there's a few that can be done with either one.

Back in the day when I was building actively, I swithched from neck end to heel end. BUT, I was using pretty big home-made Martin style U-channel TR's, the neck was slightly heftier than I liked to with the HS end TR access.

When I start to build once again, heel it'll be.

Regards
Sam

 

[Ewo]

Well...

American Fenders have the truss rod nut at the body end of the neck. Mexican Fenders have it at the headstock.

A Rick has the nut at the headstock. An Fbass has it at the body.

I'm not a builder, but I'm guessing either way works.

 

[lowendfriend]

And righty tighty is true in both orientations...

 

[ON the ONE]

Thanks,
@ewo- That's what I mean, both ways work fine, but are there any preferences toward one or the other. Also, some have a hex nut and some are phillips head adjusted. Do y'all simply go for what ever is available? Or is there a superior rod available somewhere? I should have called this a poll.

 

[Hopkins]

On a scarf joint neck I put it at the head stock, on Fender style necks i put it at the heel. My reasons are purely aesthetic.

 

[Rickett Customs]

On the 1,

One question is: single action or dual action?

Generally, here are some of the rods that get mention, here on the LC:

The style you get from Gizzly (and a few other places):

H6031 Truss Rod-2 Way

LMI and allied lutherie:

Truss Rod - Double action welded nut - Information and Pricing at LMI

Stewmac (Hotrod), some don't like the brass used for the blocks):

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Just an example of some dual actions.....

 

[gitlvr]

Some builders and players argue that the truss rod at the body end results in a stronger neck, because you don't have to rout out the larger cavity at the headstock end to accommodate the truss rod nut, which they feel weakens the headstock. I've owned more guitars with the adjustment at the head than i have at the heel , and have had zero problems with weak/broken headstocks in 25 years of playing. And I'm not easy on my instruments. They get banged around, fall over, all kinds of things. Never broke a headstock.
Most of them are scarf jointed, but a few have been one piece, angled Gibson headstocks.
I prefer the nut at the headstock. Easy access and adjustment. YMMV.

 

[ON the ONE]

Thanks for the input everyone. I was going for double action. I've used the "hot rods" before and I like the weight. I've used the lmii style in elec and acous guitars with no issue. They are both fine products. It seems everyones are a bit different. Grizzly, warmoth, best bass gear, all parts; etc. All offer similar products with similar installation. I like my lakland neck end adj. because they rout for it but most others (save MM) are inconvenient at best. I have done my homework on sources and price etc, I guess I'll rout for neck end adjustment if no one is screaming NOOO!
If it makes little to no difference, I will go for what looks better to me. I just wanted to be sure I wasn't missing something.