Warmoth steel stiffening rods

[Axtman]

How can I tell if my Warmoth bass neck has steel stiffening rods?

Thanks!

 

[Jazz Ad]

They headdive quite more than the typical Fender neck.

 

[Axtman]

What if the neck is off the body?

Do all Warmoth necks have steel reinforcing rods?

 

[odin70]

Not all. If you think "wow...this neck is heavy" it probably has.

 

[Axtman]

I'm puzzled by the use of steel stiffening rods. Fender does not have steel stiffening rods and I only rarely hear of a badly twisted bass neck. A guitar builder explained to me that Warmoth puts steel rods in to ensure that they don't have any warranty issues. I can't imagine the expense of routing and installing steel stiffening rods versus having to replace a neck or two.

 

[Jazz Ad]

Fender use graphite rods, which is neither less expensive nor easier to install.

 

[Turnaround]

With a strong neo magnet you should be able to determine of there's more steel in the neck than the truss rod.

 

[202dy]

I'm puzzled by the use of steel stiffening rods. Fender does not have steel stiffening rods and I only rarely hear of a badly twisted bass neck. A guitar builder explained to me that Warmoth puts steel rods in to ensure that they don't have any warranty issues. I can't imagine the expense of routing and installing steel stiffening rods versus having to replace a neck or two.

The goal of the reinforcing rods is stiffness. The idea is that the stiffer neck will have more sustain. Sometimes there is a claim of "piano-like" tone.

If the rods prevent twisting that is merely a side effect. It is a good one if you believe that twists are bad.

 

[Lownote38]

Warmoth offers graphite rods as well. Not just steel.

 

[Hopkins]

The steel rods in the warmoth are 1/8" by 1/4" and are not really that heavy. The claims of neck dive because of them are greatly exaggerated.

 

[ahc]

I've got an early 1980's maple Warmoth P bass neck with steel rods and extended 21 fret fingerboard on my 64 Jazz body. IIRC you can see the ends of the rods at the neck heel to the left and right of the truss rod adjuster. Yes, it's big, fat and heavy, but once it was set up it's never needed to be touched in 40 (yikes!!!) or so years.

 

[sissy kathy]

I've got an early 1980's maple Warmoth P bass neck with steel rods and extended 21 fret fingerboard on my 64 Jazz body. IIRC you can see the ends of the rods at the neck heel to the left and right of the truss rod adjuster. Yes, it's big, fat and heavy, but once it was set up it's never needed to be touched in 40 (yikes!!!) or so years.

They aren't visible in my Warmoth 20 fret neck. and it doesn't dive either, though I do have a maple (heavy) body.

 

[Hot Rats]

Yep, can't see 'em on my '88 birdseye/ebony and also no neck dive.