How to Adjust Parts on a Les Paul Guitar

Developed in part by legendary guitarist and music technologist Les Paul, Gibson Les Paul guitars are the gold standard in rock 'n roll guitars. Follow these clear instructions and learn how to make necessary adjustments on your Les Paul electric guitar.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Pliers
• Screwdriver
• Screwdriver
• Wrench
• Truss rod tool

Set the Action

1. Use pliers and carefully turn the nuts on either side of the bridge.
2. Turn the nuts clockwise to lower the bridge and counterclockwise to raise the bridge.
3. Lower the bridge as much as you can without causing the strings to buzz against the frets.

Set the Intonation

4. Move the six saddles forward or back. Locate the screw on the back of the bridge. Turn the screw clockwise to move the saddle back, which lengthens the string. Counterclockwise rotation moves the saddle forward, shortening the string.
5. Center the 12th fret between the nut and saddle.
6. Check your adjustments by playing a harmonic at the 12th fret (touch the string above the 12th fret without pressing down and pick the note). Play the note at the 12th fret. These two notes should have the same pitch.
7. Adjust the string saddle counterclockwise to shorten the string if the note is too low (lower in pitch than the harmonic). Adjust the string saddle clockwise to lengthen the string of the note is too high.
8. Repeat this process for all six saddles.

Adjust the Tail Piece

9. Raise or lower the tailpiece to adjust the tension of the strings. Turn the large, flat screws on either side of the tailpiece.
10. Rotate the screws clockwise to lower the tailpiece, which increases string tension.
11. Turn the screws counterclockwise to raise the tailpiece, decreasing string tension.

Adjust the Truss Rod

12. Locate the three bolts at the top of the guitar on the headstock.
13. Unscrew these three bolts and remove the truss rod cover.
14. Use a truss rod tool to adjust the truss rod clockwise to tighten it and increase tension in the neck. This causes the neck to bow forward.
15. Move the truss rod counterclockwise to release tension from the neck. This straightens the neck.
16. Make extremely small adjustments to the truss rod.
17. Have your truss rod adjustments performed by a luthier or qualified repair person if you are inexperienced at repairing guitars.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a strobe tuner for precise tuning.
• Only adjust the truss rod if you can't set the action with the bridge so that the strings don't buzz. Your guitar may need a fret dressing or to be refretted.
• Improperly adjusting the truss rod can irreparably damage your guitar.