Guitar Truss Rod Adjustment Diagram

Guitar truss rod adjustment guide this article provides a top level view of how a truss rod works and how to adjust a truss rod.

Guitar truss rod adjustment diagram. When a quality guitar leaves the factory the truss rod is adjusted according to the maker s taste in setup specs. Diy truss rod adjustment. The truss rod is a thin steel rod fitted into a curved channel within the neck of electric and acoustic steel stringed guitars and basses see the diagram below. Different manufacturers put them in different places but they re usually at the headstock under a cap just behind the nut or where the neck joins the body just under.

Tune the guitar to pitch and hold the guitar in the playing position not laying on its back then use an 18 precision straightedge to see if the neck s straight. It seems that there is an unspoken rule that truss rod adjustments can only be performed by professionals with years of experience. M ost guitar players are very reluctant to use the truss rod adjustment tool that comes with their guitar. The neck of most guitars has what s known as a truss rod which is a one or two piece adjustable metal rod that goes down the inside of the center of the neck.

A truss rod is an interior metal bar running the entire length of a guitar s neck. When tightened it counteracts the tension created by the strings the strings pull the neck forward. Truss rod adjustments are made to alter the straightness flatness of the neck truss rods often require adjusting after changing string gauges or when temperature and humidity change the amount of bow in the neck. But a change in string gauges climate especially a change in humidity or simply the player s taste may require an adjustment even on a new guitar.

And slightly worn frets simply by adjusting the truss rod. Adjusting a guitar truss rod is a key part of maintaining optimal playability. Before you do anything to your truss rod you need to have a reasonably good understanding of truss rods. You can adjust the truss rod with a nut located at one end.

Typically a properly adjusted truss rod will leave a neck. Understanding your truss rod. Adjusting guitar truss rods.