Truss rod adjusting

Jack-Flash-Jr

In relation to bass guitar (I assume this goes with regular as well)... can I leave strings tuned to pitch when adjusting the truss rod? Most sites say not but a couple say it's better?! Which sounds counter-intuitive.
Edit: I have always adjusted trusses with slackened strings in the past, a little digging on bass set up threw up a couple of conflicting methods...

Gearhead

I think you will find that loosening a truss with the strings on tension might work, but tightening is going to break the truss or bugger up the thread. I never touch a truss without slackening the strings, since I have some idea as to how much work replacing a truss rod actually is.

Jack-Flash-Jr

Prudence rules of course. I was just wondering if there is a benefit to adjusting at pitch?!
Thanks for the feedback!

AlanRatcliffe

I never slacken the strings unless there is a problem turning the truss nut. The truss is there to counteract the force of the strings at pitch, so should be able to take the pressure. I've not broken a rod yet.

If it's that bad that it won't turn without too much force (or makes odd noises), I'll usually undo and remove the nut completely, clean up (or replace) and lubricate before trying to take it further again. The problem rods I have encountered are almost always one of two things - the nut damaged or rusted tight onto the thread or, on rare occasions, the peening coming loose (which is what I regard as a broken truss - I've never seen the actual rod break) usually from someone applying too much force to try and tighten a seized nut.

DaFiz

I've never seen a broken truss rod before but I have seen a number of stripped threads rendering the entire system useless.
How this happened I do dot know, but I rather slacken the strings and pull back on the neck using my left hand, with the guitar between my knees,
and then with the right hand just a quarter of a turn on the allen key while there is no stress on the rod. Tune up and try again.
It's a long-winded approach but I've never stripped the thread of the truss rod. 8)

BMU

The truss rod's job is to handle the tension of the strings, can't see why it would get damaged. (Pretty much what Alan said)

DaFiz

BMU wrote The truss rod's job is to handle the tension of the strings, can't see why it would get damaged. (Pretty much what Alan said)

If you're expert enough to adjust the tension under full load that's cool. ?
For anyone less experienced and unsure it will not do any harm to ease the tension before adjustment.
It is the safer option. :yup:

BMU

Maybe. But in any case, the safe rule is: if it won't turn, and you're not sure why/what do do about it, do not force it. Danger, self destruct imminent, abort abort abort, send distress beacon to nearest experienced luthier. Etc.