I've done a bit of reading and my conclusion is that the opponents of my theory are quite incorrect in their assumptions.
Dave and Rick are correct on one point: the neutral axis does not move, only because it is theoretical and based on everything Dave said it was -- profile, MOE, etc. However they are both wrong in stating that this neutral axis does not undergo net compression from the state of no string tension to a state of string tension. It does in fact compress under this load. I was wrong in calling this a shift in the neutral axis, it is nothing more than a net change in the length along a plane due to external forces, and my drawing showing little or no change in the compression at the back of the neck still holds true, only it does not represent the neutral axis, it represents stability between state changes, non-movement. The area of the cross section nearest the fretboard is subject to the most compression in a neck's profile, purely as a result of the component force vector parallel to the fretboard face, and therefore the most net shrinkage. A CF rod installed under no string tension (obviously) and then later compressed under string tension, is in fact subject to net compressive forces, and purely so in almost any arrangement within the neck, but even moreso nearest the fretboard. Whatever happens after equilization of forces during stringing, happens around the centroid, the neutral axis. But from a state of no strings to strings, that rod's very first job is to fight compression.
That's all I meant to say from the getgo............ and you can quote me on it.
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