There is an understanding that the phrase "dual-action" truss rod is frequently used to refer to truss rod systems that actually use two rods. Always loosen your truss rod about 1/4 turn before tightening it. Check the amount of relief throughout your adjustment process. Are they used to adjust string action or just change the neck’s alignment? How do you hold a guitar to adjust the truss rod when it is hard to turn? If my truss rod (Telecaster) is adjusted at the base of the neck do I turn it the opposite way than if it was at the headstock? Find a reliable guitar tech and you’ll always be far ahead. Nice article, but I’ll leave this work to the pros. Thanks! This is a closeup of the uncovered mid section of the assembly. Back to index . They specifically stated, “The first step in any setup is to take a look at the neck and see what correction we may need to make. For those that have not done this, if you check your neck straightness before you string it up, you need to check it again after the strings are on and tuned.   Your previous content has been restored. To pinpoint any problems, we need to look at all the factors that affect your instrument’s overall playability, sound, and function.”.4. Truss rod adjustments are made to alter the straightness (flatness) of the neck. Ideally, it would be great for you to know how to perform basic maintenance and adjustments. Broken truss rod repair costs from $60-$300 and up to can’t be repaired. I learned the hard way, if your truss rod is acting up, take it to a skilled luthier. This article helped me to understand not just “how” but also “why” you do or do not adjust the truss rod. PRS also employs their own patented Double Action Truss Rod—the industry’s most fully adjustable neck system. The PRS double acting truss rod provides neck adjustment in both directions. Copyright © All the good names are taken ltd. I checked on the web for additional information about the issue and found most Clear editor. I’ve been afraid I would break it but your article helped to know how to do it the right way. A long threaded nut at the other end provides adjustment and focuses the truss action away from the unmovable heel joint. I’m glad you included a note to not tighten it too much at one time. I tightened my truss rod to the point it won’t turn but I feel the long wrench twisting. The purpose of this is generally to counteract the tension of the strings to straighten the neck. The single-acting rods used a brass adjusting nut threaded onto a steel rod. I like the article, but I’m still not sure I want to try this task. Uniquely, dual-action truss rods can create relief with or without string tension. All truss rods are made of steel, however; the composition of the steel used is not the same. What happens if you overtighten a truss rod? Neck adjustment can be accomplished as before except that a reverse bow can now be fully corrected. Here’s an article to help you understand what is a bi-flex truss rod. For anybody who doesn’t already know, adjusting the truss rod is not how you improve intonation. It’s worth noting that a lot of my setups over the years don’t require and movement of the truss rod. Continue to make adjustments and you will eventually see changes in the neck. You can post now and register later. Is there a place to buy a complete set of truss rod tools for Fender, Gibson, PRS, Schector and Epiphone? A truss rod’s job is to counteract that tension and allow the player to adjust how much (or how little) the neck bows. Start with a neck relief check to get an idea of how much adjusting is required. Great article! I urge people to understand the purpose for adjusting a truss rod – don’t do it “just because” you think you need to do so. I sent a link to this article to several of my friends. ), Thanks for the info on this guys.. meaning most guitars end up just hanging on a wall. Do all acoustic guitars use the same size? Feeling proud, lol, Go slow, a little at a time and you’ll get the hang of it. professional guitar setup or professional bass setup you want the neck to be level (flat). When the truss rod is loosened, the adjustable rod will bow backward away from the fretboard. I’ve read conflicting opinions on truss rods. In this video I will explain about neck relief and truss rod adjustment to set the relief correctly There is not a standard type or size wrench for all guitar truss rods. Truss rods can feel stuck because of rust on the threads, they’ve hit the end of the threads, or there is damage to the truss rod. Added new strings and now it’s now playing perfectly. I have personally never done that when tightening one and I have never had a problem…. When the truss rod is at the bottom of the neck do you turn it the same way to add or decrease relief? Thank you for writing this! A possible repair option is to buy a replacement but this is not cheap and brings yet another set of issues. All Rights Reserved. Overtightening or over loosening a truss rod can damage the neck and/or body.”. A dual-action, aka double-action, truss rod enables you to make neck adjustments in both directions (up or down). 9,063 2,041 1. Now I’m looking at a $400 bill to repair my Strat. It helps with reducing resistance when you make an adjustment. I can’t wait to try this out. I’m leaving it up to my local guitar shop guy. I just bought a really cool Pedulla bass. I think this is one of the best articles on the subject. Adjusting my guitar at the heel is a real pain. I just learned that yesterday. I don't know how to determine how loose or tight each one is .. and i'm guesssing there must be some sort of "perfect" adjustment between the two    ? Interesting comments I think. Also loosen your strings to tighten the truss rod. So far, it’s always been easy to turn. If this is an issue, the neck design/build schedule/program is faulty. Of course, this means remounting, restringing, and retuning between each adjustment. The two common truss rods are a Single Action Truss Rod and a Dual Action Truss Rod. I have a Martin DM12 acoustic with a dual-action truss rod, but the hex is stripped, The rod works, if I can get a socket over it, but I can’t use an Allen wrench. 7). That said, it's possible that this is something of a semantic gray area here, as Fender's Bi-Flex truss rod can indeed be sensibly described as providing dual actions-force in one direction and force in the opposite direction. I have a Pedulla bass that needs a truss rod adjustment but I don’t have the special tool it takes. I usually make incremental adjustments, wait a day to re-measure and keep going until I get it right. I can’t understand the dual-action workings. The manufacturing tolerances in China really suck. Due to varied climate and other conditions to which your PRS guitar may be exposed during its lifetime, we have made our necks fully adjustable. Is there anything I can do to get more out of my truss rod? Don’t forget that when you tighten your strings the tension will change the amount of relief – adjust accordingly. You may not need everything listed here. The double-acting rods use a steel nut fused to a steel rod. The MusicPlayers.com website describes it in this manner, "This straightens an up-bowed neck, pulling the peghead away from the tension of the strings. Thank you all for your input on this.. Do I need to adjust my truss rod once in a while or only when I get a guitar setup? These rods aren’t the strongest in the world. Truss Rod Tip: Some bass guitars will have specific tools designed to adjust the truss rod. Maybe you need another article just for PRS, lol. Due to varied climate and other conditions to which your PRS guitar may be exposed during its lifetime, we have made our necks fully adjustable. × Stewmac sells longer t-handle hex wrenches that are a lot easier to use. For you PRS guys doing your own setups, check out these PRS setup specs. Do not over-adjust! I don't want the neck to start twisting . Good job presenting the information on this topic. It also exerts a lot of inward pressure on the wood, which over time can distort a neck. “If you can’t correct the problem in a few full turns, stop. I just read you should always loosen the strings before tightening the truss rod. This should mean virtually no risk of over-doing it. Your truss rod needs adjustment when the neck of your guitar has too much or too little upbow or too much backbow. www.ArtisanLuthiers.com This measurement is your amount of relief. people will go along with your views on this site. Adjusting your guitars truss rod is a key part of maintaining your instrument. They all said it was a big help. Double Action Truss Rod - tightens both ways 1/ Truss rod in 'flat' (no tension) position 2/ Tightening the truss rod clockwise causes the neck to become increasingly convex (over) = less relief. At the 7th or 8th fret, measure the distance between the bottom of the string and the top of the 7th fret. You raised a point I had never thought of with which side needs more ‘trussing’ and my thought it they should be equally taught but then again, Ive never had a dual rod neck......anything on the Spector site? There are so many different tools designed for adjusting truss rods that it’s nearly impossible to have them all.”.5. By sighting the neck, we gain insight into how the neck is reacting to the string tension and truss rod relief. Artisan Luthiers © 2019. I put some penetrating oil in the pocket and left if standing up for a couple of days. I read the article but I’m still not feeling it. Registered Member. I’d like to be able to dial it in quickly. There is no standard, single measurement that works for every guitar. Adjusting A Rickenbacker Truss Rod. I don't know if one is tighter than the other :-/. Good article that is easy to understand. It’s now in the hands of a local luthier and I’m looking at about $400 to fix it right. To do a This allows us to counteract the tension of the strings and straighten the neck. I'm not too worried but just looking for any advice. If you can learn how to do this you are well on your way to doing your own setup. Most broken truss rods can be repaired, however; the cost to repair a broken truss rod is often more than the value of the guitar. I like how you wrote about Guitar Truss Rod Adjustment Guide. Phone: 678-402-6739. The first truss rod patent was applied for by Thaddeus McHugh, an employee of … This measurement is your amount of relief. He gave me his Fender acoustic to adjust. Thanks for great articles with info people can really use. USING AN INCORRECT SIZED WRENCH CAN DAMAGE YOUR TRUSS ROD NUT.   Your link has been automatically embedded. Loosening a truss rod (turning counter-clockwise) adds relief to (decreases tension on) the neck which results in increased (higher) string action height.