How to Check the Truss Rod on a Les Paul Guitar

Your Les Paul's action is different now that you've installed the new set of strings and you're wondering if there's something wrong with the truss rod setup. Here's how to check the setup so you'll enjoy greater playability.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Sit the Les Paul guitar's bass bout on the ground and sight down the neck of the guitar towards the body.

2. Examine the edge of the frets and note which way the neck seems to be curving.

3. Flip the guitar over and sight down the neck again. Again pay special attention to the edge of the fret board and which way it seems to be curving.

4. See if the neck is bulging away from or towards the body of your guitar. If it is, your truss rod setup may need adjusting. If it's bulging away from your guitar, this is called "backbow." If it's curving towards the body, then this is called "relief."

5. Check if there's any curve in the neck. If there isn't, it probably does not need adjustment, unless you have string buzzing or other sound issues.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're having playability issues or strings buzzing, take your Les Paul guitar to a local guitar technician and have the truss rod setup adjusted.