HTS Assess Truss Rod 2

Start with setting the truss rod to neutral

Neutral posiiton measurment

Indicates relief of approx .014”, this means in the neutral position this neck is slightly arched, totally normal for a Bass guitar, Bass guitars need relief, so its typical to have some relief dialled in at the neutral position.

When I refret a guitar, I set the truss rod to just engaged and then make everything perfectly level around it, that way at job completion, the truss rod in the neutral posiiton has very little relief.

Adjusting the truss rod in a clockwise direction to its stop point.

We now introduce backbow, which can be visually seen here with a straight edge, the straight edge comes up off the body, as the 8th fret area is arched upwards.

For quantification, we measure again

We have backbow of .0095”

Winding the truss rod in an anti clockwise direction until again its stops

Winding the truss rod clockwise adds backbow

Winding the truss rod anti clockwise gives relief.

I mark the top of the fretboard, so my measuring tool goes to the same spot each time.

Using the straight edge we can see light under the ruler at the 8th fret area.

So here I have a truss rod on a bench to show whats actually happening

This truss rod is in what we call the neutral position, this is the position where the truss rod nut is actually loose.

Measuring again.

We have .028” indicated

So truss rod is assessed as working and functional

Using the above noted findings, with the 3rd and 14th fret position as our points of reference.

It adjusts the neck in the direction of Relief .014”(Neutral) to Max Anti Clockwise .028 equals travel of .014”

It adjusts the neck in the direction of Backbow .014” (Neutral) to Max Clockwise .009 equals travel of .023”