truss adjustment wheel

[RobertB]

What year was the truss adjustment wheel at the "butt of the neck" (to use Roger Sadowsky's phrase) introduced? I've tried make that determination from the picture galleries, but it's tricky. I'm basically just trying to determine whether or not it's a true statement that if the truss wheel is not there, it's a pre-EB SR.

Thx,
Robert

 

[bdgotoh]

There are plenty of EB-era basses that don't have the truss rod at the neck heel. They came along around the time of the 6 bolt neck plate so all of the 4 bolt basses from 84 to around 1990 had truss rod adjust at the headstock. Lots of Sabres and Stingrays were made in those years, I've had a bunch and that's a great era. Unfortunately they're all gone, replaced by HH models!

 

[RobertB]

Ok, thanks for the info. I feel like such a noob. Recently I bought a clear acrylic pickguard on ebay to put on my 30th (& spare the original 5 ply black/cream pg). I didn't even think to check whether or not it was cut for the truss wheel. Of course when it arrived, it wasn't. I have absolutely no use for it - atleast for now. Guess I'll just hold onto it. You never know.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

What year was the truss adjustment wheel at the "butt of the neck" (to use Roger Sadowsky's phrase) introduced? I've tried make that determination from the picture galleries, but it's tricky. I'm basically just trying to determine whether or not it's a true statement that if the truss wheel is not there, it's a pre-EB SR.

Thx,
Robert

The bullet truss can be found on Ernie Ball SR4s up to circa 1990 and is not confined to the Pre-EB period.

The truss wheel (as opposed to the bullet) first appeared on the Silohuette Guitar (circa 1986) and then the Steve Morse Guitar (circa 1987).

With regards to Basses, the wheel followed suit on the SR5 right from it's introduction in 1987 and is located at the neck heel. The SR5 has never had the bullet truss.

The wheel appeared on the SR4 around 1990. Prior to that, the SR4 had a bullet truss nut (located at the headstock) right from its introduction in 1976.

Another thing to note is that the bullet truss is a feature only found on the 3 bolt neck (Pre-EB period) and 4 bolt neck (Pre-EB and early EB periods). It's only the 6 bolt neck that features the truss wheel.

 

[RobertB]

Another thing to note is that the bullet truss is a feature only found on the 3 bolt neck (Pre-EB period) and 4 bolt neck (Pre-EB and early EB periods). It's only the 6 bolt neck that features the truss wheel.

Interesting & great to know. Thanks alot for the thorough response.

Robert

 

[Jazzbassman23]

And can I just add that the truss wheel ranks right up there when discussing the world's greatest inventions. I mean, the microwave oven is useful and all, but give me the EBMM wheel any day.