Truss Rods. Needed?
Hello and good morning nation!
I have been building solid CBG style guitars for the last 3 to 4 years now and in all my builds, I always install a non-adjustable truss rod into the neck. Usually 1/4 inch thick metal rods.
The reason I do this was from watching too many manufacturing videos on how they build guitars and how they install truss rods. I figured I must be doing the right thing. My ignorance tells it reinforces the neck.
However, I saw a video from a Fender authorized shop, and the builder was installing a truss rod. And to my surprise, the truss rod was a flimsy wiggling thing, like a string of spaghetti.
I understand the truss rod is to settle any bowing that the neck may accumulate over time. But what about reinforcing, does it reinforce? Am I wasting metal rods?
I saw acoustic guitars built too and they get a nonadjustable permanent truss rod shaped like a T.
Taffy Evans
I should mention that not all Maple necks are quarter sawn. But that is a hard and pretty stable species.
Taff
Jan 22, 2022
Ducati Scotty
A simple metal rod does not offer much reinforcement. As mentioned, an adjustable metal rod laid into an arched channel can be tightened to introduce some back bow. Watch a YouTube vidoe of someone cutting a channel into a Fender style neck.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khX5z2HGLto
If you install a two way truss rod that can bend both ways, you can just cut a simple straight channel that need not be arched.
If using a fixed truss rod or beam, there are lots of choices in aluminum or carbon fiber. As mentioned, a bar on edge has a wider profile and more rigidity than a square or round rod. It's also easier to route a square edged channel and fit it in tightly than a chaneel to house a round rod.
https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/materials/truss-...
Another way to stiffen the neck is just add a 1/4" fretboard. That makes the whole neck thicker and stiffer. If you shape the back, you don't have to worry so much about removing too much material.
If you put in any kind of rod, it should fit in snugly for the best function.
Another option is a laminated neck. Instead of one piece of wood, glue 3 or more together and cut to size. The varying grain directions make it stronger and stiffer than a single piece of wood. This is sometimes used on full sized bass guitars without truss rods. It can also be really pretty!
http://www.jchamiltonguitars.com/design/laminated-necks/
Scott
Feb 25, 2022
Oscar Stern
An Adjustable Truss Rod would also be great for if you're modifying 3 or 4 string Cigar Box Guitars into versions w/ 5, 6, or more strings. One of the Truss rods I have is a reverse action truss rod (lefty tighty righty loosey) because it came out of an old Left Handed Requinto.
Aug 13, 2023