That's it. If a straight neck makes the guitar play worse, the neck is either too straight for your playing style or it is a sign that more work is needed. I've already (and successfully) adjusted my electric Fender Stratocaster (truss rod, action at the bridge, neck height, and intonation) using the appropriate tools. GuitarBitz offer express online services so you'll get your order as quickly as possible. 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. The trick is knowing when you’ve got the neck the way you want it. A buzzing of the strings open and within the first two frets is a definite indication of back bow. Due to the elliptical vibration of a string, a little relief may prevent buzzing in the first and second positions. The tension in the strings exerts a huge bending force on the guitar neck, and combined with environmental conditions like temperature and humidity can cause bowing of the neck. To tighten your truss rod, turn the wrench clockwise and to loosen it, turn counter-clockwise. Sight the neck to … Instructions for adjusting your truss rod. Likewise, a straight neck may also make a poor fret condition more noticeable. The first step is to know when or in what way the neck needs to be adjusted. A truss rod’s job is to counteract that tension and allow the player to adjust how much (or how little) the neck bows. Loosen the nut if the neck is back-bowed. If buzzing is apparent in the first few frets, try loosening the truss rod slightly, re-tune and see if it helps. Start by sitting with the guitar in the playing position. Here’s how to evaluate and adjust your electric or acoustic neck with a minimum of tools. My biggest fear is that the truss rod is stripped? Remember in a single action truss rod: tightening the rod (turning clockwise) straightens the neck, loosening (turning anti-clockwise) permits it to bow. Tightening the truss rod straightens the neck and consequently lowers the strings, which can create string buzz. However, from a maintenance standpoint, this is as technical as it needs to be. The procedure outlined here is very basic. Slight adjustment to git rid of overall buzzing, for example, may require an 1/8 to a ¼ of a turn so after checking the original relief and making the actual adjustment all you need to do is retune the strings and you are done. How to adjust a vintage style Fender truss rod. The truth is that the truss rod is a simple device that has one purpose: to counter the pull of the strings. The adjustment should be smooth and easy. An adjustable truss rod is a slim steel rod embedded in the neck. Two-way truss rods have adjustment points (nuts) at each end. If you do not own a capo, you can simply fret the strings, but this may make things a little more difficult. This same process holds for any stringed instrument with a single action adjustable truss rod. You don't want to turn your truss rod more than a 1/4 turn at a time. Most guitars have an adjustable truss rod, running the length of the neck that can be adjusted to counteract the force caused by the pull of the strings, as well as strengthening the neck and help stabilise the necks straightness. Therefore, some relief is acceptable, and often necessary. The cover is usually held in place by 3 small cross head screws. The greater the gap, the more you will tighten the rod. There are two kinds of truss rods: single action and dual action. A single action truss rod is only threaded on one end, but a dual action truss rods are threaded on both ends. Check the height of the string over the 6th fret. A good repairman would be a lot more precise, while still following a similar procedure. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Press J to jump to the feed. Having a straight neck makes for a better playing instrument, but not all guitars and playing styles allow for a completely straight neck. The problem is with my Tanglewood Evolution TW28 CSE CN (left-handed). How long does truss rod adjustment take? It's a good idea to check the centre strings and treble strings as well to give you an idea of the neck overall. There's no reason to freak out, but I do admit it is a tedious process. Next, fret the bass string at the 14th fret. If there is no gap at the 6th fret, your neck is either dead straight or has a Convex - hump (back bow). As long as you follow the basic rules, and never force anything, adjusting a truss rod should be as simple and routine as changing your strings. Also, what would the estimated cost be to fix this or a similar problem? The best place to start if you're new is right below in our "Rules" section. Make sure it is in tune and capo at the first fret. Read more about us below. Electric guitars usually have straighter necks than acoustics, and basses typically have more relief than guitars. Despite the fact there is information around the web telling readers to adjust their truss rod to raise or lower action, a truss rod is not for adjusting action. You are using the string as a straight edge to read the curve. We have a stunning music store in Bath city centre where you can try anything we offer before you buy. The other end is anchored to give the adjusting end something to tighten against. I'm trying to adjust the truss rod but it doesn't seem to change in tightness/looseness. If you had no gap you will be loosening the rod. If you have guitar related questions, use the "Search" field or ask the community. It is possible to have a neck that is straighter on one side than the other. The trick is knowing when you’ve got the neck the way you want it. My biggest fear is that the truss rod is stripped? Once you have the neck straight, play the instrument and see what effect the adjustment had. Here’s how to evaluate and adjust your electric or acoustic neck with a minimum of tools. I can't seem to find the proper setup specs for this guitar on the Tanglewood website. You can adjust the truss rod with a nut located at one end. Or take it to a luthier or proper guitar repair shop? A truss rod is NOT for adjusting action. This is a forum where guitarists, from novice to experienced, can explore the world of guitar through a variety of media and discussion. Keep in mind that most good necks require no more than half of a turn in either direction. If you have a strong picking hand and tend to be an aggressive player, you can exaggerate the movement of the string and may need some relief, and higher action. Tighten the truss rod adjusting nut to straighten a neck that has an up-bow. This style of truss rod adjustment, be it on a vintage style Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jazzmaster, Jaguar, Precision Bass or Jazz Bass freaks people out because the neck has to come off in order to make a truss rod adjustment. Before you adjust the nut, make a mark on it that corresponds to a fixed point below it on the access channel to the nut. Uniquely, dual-action truss rods can create relief with or without string tension. If the only issue to fix is the truss rod, it can literally take a few minutes. Adjusting the threads on the end of a truss rod counteracts the strings tension and will either increase or decrease the distance between the strings and the frets depending on which way you turn it. Hey everyone, so I'm trying to become more self-sufficient in terms of guitar setup. That's it. We Have for sale a huge range of guitar strings, parts, accessories, guitars, amps and more. Ultimately though, a good straight neck is the first step in a proper set-up and should help to make your guitar play better.