Can a truss rod break?

[TopDog]

I have CS Telecaster from 1997. I have not played it in a long time. I took it out of the case and tuned it up tonight and it was making a vibration that was coming from the neck. I checked all hardware and it's all tight, it's not a loose peg or string tree. Yet when I tap the neck there's a vibration within the neck. Is the truss rod broken or loose?

The guitar was in perfect condition the last time I played it. About 9 months ago. It was sitting in a bedroom on the second floor with all my other guitars..

Any experience with this situation????

Thanks.....

[jcoloccia]

Truss rods can definitely break, but usually it's from someone cranking down on it too much. I doubt it broke just laying around, especially if it plays OK now.

It could be the rod rattling a bit in the channel...I don't know that Fender puts a plastic tube over their rod to prevent this, but I have to think they do.

Anyhow, if it's not anything obvious like a tuner, the rod is probably just loose. If you're comfortable doing this, have a look at the rod and see if it's loose. If it is, give it a little turn until it's snugged up a bit.

Are you sure it's coming from the neck?

[TopDog]

Yes, I'm sure it's coming from the neck. I'm going to try to tighten up today. I'll keep you posted. Thanks.



Truss rods can definitely break, but usually it's from someone cranking down on it too much. I doubt it broke just laying around, especially if it plays OK now.

It could be the rod rattling a bit in the channel...I don't know that Fender puts a plastic tube over their rod to prevent this, but I have to think they do.

Anyhow, if it's not anything obvious like a tuner, the rod is probably just loose. If you're comfortable doing this, have a look at the rod and see if it's loose. If it is, give it a little turn until it's snugged up a bit.

Are you sure it's coming from the neck?

[Boris Bubbanov]

Sounds like the rod is simply rattling around in the chase.

Not much fun when the neck seems in perfect relief BUT there's little or no tension on the truss rod itself. I hate that. The 'bane' of the vintage truss rod design, IMO.

[bunny]

Fender don't use plastic tubing over the rod on vintage style models, but this shouldn't be a problem.
Sometimes the neck is perfectly straight with the truss rod almost or completely loose, which is not good. The rod should be tightened at least half turn not to rattle and to be tensed, othewise it can produce a buzz, and also affect the way your guitar sounds.
I managed to get rid of this buzz once by squeezing some silicone germetic into the truss rod channel, using a high presure compressor. That was a tricky job.
99% of truss rod breaks are damaged threads, most of times on the rod itself, not so often it's the nut, somethimes both.
If you can tighten it and see the neck upbow - it's working:-)

[Rosewood]

If you know how, try adjusting the rod, even if you put it back in the same position it may move it enough to stop rattling.

[Waffles]

A truss rod can only be broke from excessive tightening or the neck is completly broke in half, the neck protects the truss rod