How to Adjust a Guitar Truss Rod

The truss rod of a guitar is its most sensitive adjustable part. Though slight adjustments are necessary from time to time, extreme and/or unwise changes to the rod can cause excessive neck bow and string buzz, or even permanent damage to the guitar's neck and body.If you find you need to adjust the truss rod for any reason, such as lowering string action or removing fret buzz, be sure you are familiar with your instrument. If you are a novice player or feel unsure when working on your guitar, I recommend taking it to an experienced technician to make these adjustments. Also keep in mind that some classical and older guitars do not have truss rods, and will require the work of a luthier to make any adjustments to the neck.Check your guitar's owner's manual to find the components of the truss rod and to double-check any adjustment procedures that may be unique to your instrument.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Truss-rod-equipped electric or acoustic guitar
• Truss-rod wrench
• Screwdriver

1. Find the adjustment screw of your truss rod and fit the wrench into its slot. In most acoustic guitars, the screw is located inside the body, in front of the sound hole. In electrics, the truss rod will be accessible at the headstock, often beneath a protective plate. If necessary, unscrew this plate to reveal the truss-rod screw.

2. Check the neck bow on your guitar. Note if the neck curves excessively toward the bridge or if it bows back away from the strings. Remember that a slight inward bow (toward the bridge) is necessary, but too much can be harmful.

3. Turn the truss-rod screw no more than a quarter turn to adjust the bow. For most guitars, if the neck bows inward toward the bridge, tighten the screw by turning it clockwise. If the neck bows outward, loosen the truss rod by turning counter-clockwise.

4. Remove the wrench and play your guitar as usual for a day. This will give the neck time to settle into its new position. After a day, recheck the neck bow and repeat Step 3 if necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• If you bought your guitar new, a truss-rod wrench should have been included in the packaging. If you do not have a wrench, many newer guitars take a standard Allen key.
• If you are unsure whether your neck needs adjustment or not, take your guitar to a professional repairman.
• Only use very slight adjustments, no more than a quarter turn at a time, to change your neck bow. Large changes can permanently damage the instrument's neck or body.