Prebend truss rod or not?

[Gregted]

Hey Luthiers,

I am at the stage where I am ready to route and fit my first truss rod and have some quick questions.

I will be going with a homemade rod comprising of 1/4 in threaded rod, flat nut for the anchor at the head lock-tighted and peaned, and at the heel, a flat washer and a hex coupler with an allen head bolt locktighted into that.

The one thing I am not sure of is do I prebend the threaded rod to match the route or do I place it in the routed curve naturale so it is under slight tension immediately?

The later seems to make more sense to me but as I am a first timer, I am happy to go with experienced users advice.

[simso]

I just fit them in as is, have never bothered to prebend them.

Steve

[Gregted]

Thanks Steve. That is exactly what I needed to hear. I will route my first rod channel soon.