truss rod

[Kennyhoe]

hey,

where exactly is the truss rod, and what does it do? i hear people talk about it all the time, but i don't know where or what it is, a reply would be appreciated. thx

 

[dwf1004]

A truss rod is a piece of metal that is placed inside your guitar/bass neck to keep the wood from warping, as well as to offset the tension of your strings on the guitar/bass neck. Otherwise, your neck would simply curl up from the tension.

Truss rods can be turned in clockwise or counter-clockwise directions to adjust the neck, and release/increase tension. On most guitars, this turning point is on the headstock (where your tuners are), typically above the nut (where your strings rest above the 1st fret). On Ernie Ball guitars, to the best of my recollection, they all have a little round device at the bottm of the neck, after the 22nd/24th fret (depending on your guitar model), and right in front of your bridge pickup.

That's a rudimentary explanation; I'm sure that more people can/will add more to the thread, or correct me if I'm wrong on things (which I wouldn't contest! ), but that's a good start on the topic for ya though!

Darrell