Broken truss rod?

[7string]

[quote name='silddx' post='871043' date='Jun 18 2010, 06:55 PM']There's a lot of knob talked about truss rods and it scares people.[/quote]

So true

[dryfjord]

Can I add a further question to this topic please?

As a general rule then, should the truss rod be adjusted (if needed) after slacking off the strings or with them tuned up?

Sorry for being thick....... better safe than sorry!

[BassBunny]

[quote name='dryfjord' post='874337' date='Jun 22 2010, 12:26 PM']Can I add a further question to this topic please?

As a general rule then, should the truss rod be adjusted (if needed) after slacking off the strings or with them tuned up?

Sorry for being thick....... better safe than sorry![/quote]

If you are adjusting the truss rod to get the correct neck-relief then the strings should be in tune.
Only if you are going to remove the adjusting nut altogether should the strings be slackened off or removed.
Obviously if you have a neck that has to be removed to make any adjustments, there won't be any strings.

[BottomEndian]

[quote name='BassBunny' post='874427' date='Jun 22 2010, 02:12 PM']If you are adjusting the truss rod to get the correct neck-relief then the strings should be in tune.
Only if you are going to remove the adjusting nut altogether should the strings be slackened off or removed.
Obviously if you have a neck that has to be removed to make any adjustments, there won't be any strings.[/quote]
Having gone through a long series of cheapo instruments (guitars and basses), I've got into the habit of slackening the strings off, making the adjustment and then re-tuning the strings. Check relief (quite often having to leave it overnight to settle); repeat if desired.

Reason: cheap instrument = cheap truss rod + adjuster nut thingy. With cheap metal parts like that, I found it better to give the rod less tension to fight against when tightening it. Less chance of stripping the thread or completely reaming out the soft metal of the hex hole into a circle.

Same goes for making saddle adjustments. Slacken off, adjust, retighten. Avoids stripping grub screws. (Plus it's pretty difficult to adjust intonation under full tension.)