Service manual

Sinclair Community College | ETD 110 Guitar Service Manual

Truss Rod Adjustment:

One thing every guitar owner should know how to do is adjust

the truss rod. The truss rod is a metal rod that is inserted into a

channel in the neck of the guitar. Its main purpose is to counteract

the pull of the strings on the neck. Over time the tension from the

stings tend to warp the neck of the guitar. The neck can warp due to

temperature and humidity changes as well. The truss rod, which is

also adjusted on the neck of the guitar, can easily be adjusted with

an Allen wrench or screw driver. Many guitar owners are afraid of

adjusting the truss rod but it is actually very simple and can make a

world of difference with your guitar.

There are two types of truss rods used today. Single action truss

rods will bend the neck backwards when tightened. When loosened,

this truss rod will not actually bend the neck forward; it just relieves

its pressure and allows the strings to bend the neck. A dual action

truss rod will actually bend the neck backwards when tightened and

forward when loosed.

The first step is to decide which way you

actually need to adjust the truss rod. It is

extremely important to understand that the

truss rod will only adjust the straightness of

the guitar and nothing else. Checking the

concaveness of the neck is quite simple. You

start by holding the Bass E string down at the

first fret. At the same time hold the string

down at the 12

fret as well. While holding the

string down, look at the 6

fret and use the

string as a straight edge to read the curve on

the neck. The ideal gap between the string