Guitar Truss Rod Adjustment

A truss rod is an interior metal bar running the entire length of a guitar s neck.

Guitar truss rod adjustment. To add relief to the neck you ll want to loosen the truss rod or turn the truss rod nut counter clockwise. Adjusting the truss rod with the instrument tuned to pitch will allow us to gauge our progress and continue re checking relief before making further adjustments. Understanding your truss rod. Depending on the type of guitar adjusting the truss rod may require the use of a large crosshead screwdriver a socket wrench or an allen key.

When tightened it counteracts the tension created by the strings the strings pull the neck forward. If your neck bows outward between the seventh and twelfth frets creating a large gap that makes pressing down the strings difficult tighten the truss rod by turning the nut clockwise as you face the nut straight on. Occasionally manufacturers supply the necessary tool inside the case. The necessary truss rod adjustment depends on which way the neck bows.

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. This allows you to tweak a truss rod while the neck is under tension. To reduce the amount of relief and make your guitar a little easier to play you ll want to tighten the truss rod or turn the truss rod nut clockwise. The truss rod pulls the neck backward.

Adjusting a guitar truss rod is a key part of maintaining optimal playability.