TRUSS RODS....a question

[Ibanezer_hi]

Apparently they're quite important in keeping the neck playable n'stuff but i cant understand what they do exactly if you have a locking trem...

I mean how can the truss rod affect the strings at all if they're locked in position ? ?

[Dee]

The truss rod is there to stop the neck from warping like a banana! It's adjustable, so you can loosen it or tighten it depending on how the guitar is set up, what gauge strings are being used, etc. Nothing to do with the trem. It lives inside the neck.

Click here for a more in-depth explanation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truss_rod

[jb4674]

Some guitars necks are more sensitive than others when it comes to warping. If a guitar is kept in different temperatures, that can have an impact on the neck with regards to warping.

Jimmy

[Jaden]

read Rich's tech section - all of it.

[Racerx2k]

Truss rods are a sort of counterbalance to the string tensions, if you will. The strings want to pull the neck one way, while the trussrod counters those forces, pulling it in the opposite direction. Doesn't take alot on most guitars. Normally, a quarter turn or less suffices.

[Ibanezer_hi]

My Apologies ,i thought the truss rod was the little bar you find after the locking nut on the head stock like in this pic ...
http://www.diyguitarist.com/Images/MIJS-Head.JPG

Ive learnt something new already today then..

[Eco]

Thats a string retainer bar.

[Dee]

Originally Posted by Ibanezer_hi

My Apologies ,i thought the truss rod was the little bar you find after the locking nut on the head stock like in this pic ...
http://www.diyguitarist.com/Images/MIJS-Head.JPG

Ive learnt something new already today then..

No apologies necessary, my friend. We all gotta start somewhere and it's cool that you're learning. Stick around and you'll learn lots more.

[nuno]

so, your question would turn like that:

"how can the RETAINER BAR affect the strings at all if they're locked in position?"

it doesn't. it only assures that the strings sit right on the nut top from the fretboard side to the headstock side. if the retainer bar isn't set low enough, the strings would "raise" from the nut top, and when you lock down the pads, those would press the strings down, thus altering the tuning.

[JJEMMER777]

Lol....nice diagram, nuno

[Dee]

Gotta love nuno's diagram's.

[nuno]

AutoCAD and a free Photoshop clone can make miracles

[Ibanezer_hi]

Originally Posted by nuno

so, your question would turn like that:

"how can the RETAINER BAR affect the strings at all if they're locked in position?"

it doesn't. it only assures that the strings sit right on the nut top from the fretboard side to the headstock side. if the retainer bar isn't set low enough, the strings would "raise" from the nut top, and when you lock down the pads, those would press the strings down, thus altering the tuning.

I dont understand what you mean but i'm sure your right.

[nuno]

Originally Posted by Ibanezer_hi

I dont understand what you mean but i'm sure your right.

is there some english mothertongue willing to explain it better? thanks

[0americana]

i think of the retaing bar as a counter to the slight pitch change when the hut is locked.
If the strings arent parallel with the nut , when it is lock the string change pitch.