Carbon Fiber Neck Rods

[Richard W]

Has Anyone had a guitar with a carbon fiber neck rod, they say it keeps the neck from twisting no matter what climate you are in. Any opinions on them?

[LouSiffer]

I am not sure it could keep it from twisting as twisting is a radial movement around the grain of the wood. Truss rods generally only assist with the curvature of the neck in a longitudinal direction -Lou

[DonP]

I've heard Carvin guitars USED to have them. Heard they stopped because it killed the tone.

Like I said, it's just what I've heard.

[Argos]

Interesting. Do you have a link? Several companies use titanium rods in certain necks.

On a related note, what's with the neck twisting/warping theme around here lately? Is this an epidemic that I'm unaware of?

[Nightbat]

On a related note, what's with the neck twisting/warping theme around here lately? Is this an epidemic that I'm unaware of?

Well according to one user it has to be due to the lack of scientific approach used when making a guitar

[Richard W]

Interesting. Do you have a link? Several companies use titanium rods in certain necks.

On a related note, what's with the neck twisting/warping theme around here lately? Is this an epidemic that I'm unaware of?

Here's just a link from the website who sells them: http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Truss_ro...eviews#reviews

[MetalDaze]

KxK uses them on most of theirs guitars.

[Hellbat]

Doesn't the Dominion use carbon rods in the neck too?

[Argos]

Well according to one user it has to be due to the lack of scientific approach used when making a guitar

Let me run that by the R&D department and I'll get back to you.

[axmann]

Ibanez Wizards I thought have them or had them.

[ralph]

Yeah the Japanese Mark Morton dominions have carbon rods, I believe this is due to the unfinished mahogany neck being less stable than a finished neck or maple.

Mahogany will tend to warp more compared to Maple, another way around this is to make the neck 3-piece and arrange the pieces so the grains run in different ways so if they do warp they work against each other (and the glue) and the neck will be more stable because of it

To me unless the neck is unfinished or very thin (or both), there is no need to bother. Maybe it will mean you will not have to adjust the truss rod as much

[sully]

Not super necessary, but if I won't build figured maple necks without them.

I've also heard from builders that I respect that it's a bit of a tone kill, but that can be subjective. I can see it to an extent, because you've got the rout for the truss rod, and now two additional channels for the carbon rods.

Sully

[axmann]

Yeah, I'd agree with the slight tone kill. Its the price you pay for either a super thin profile or as Sully says wood with lots of figure which is wierded out wood in the first place thus all the grain abnormalities and stress already inherent to the wood.