Things You'll Need:
- Screwdriver or Allen Wrench
- Electric Guitar or Bass
- Tuner
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Step 1
Determine the amount of relief in your instrument's neck. You can use a specialty straight edge to measure your neck's relief. If you have a special tool follow the directions provided with the tool. You can also measure neck relief by creating a straight line down the neck with the strings on the instrument. Press one of the middle strings, the D string on a guitar or the A string on a bass, on the first fret with your left hand and hold the same string with your right elbow just pass the base of the neck. This creates a straight line down the neck and the space between the string and the neck determines the amount of relief in the neck. For most instruments you want about the thickness of a credit card between the neck and string.
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Step 2
Determine the direction to move the neck relief. If the space between the neck and string is too wide you will need to tighten the truss rod. If the space is too narrow or there is no space you need to loosen the truss rod.
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Step 3
Locate the truss rod access on your instrument. On most instruments this is located at the top of the neck just past the nut. Otherwise you can find the truss rod access at the bottom of the neck where it meets the body of the instrument.
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Step 4
Adjust the truss rod. Depending on your instrument you will need to use either a screw driver or an Allen wrench to adjust the truss rod. Using the appropriate tool turn the truss rod counter-clockwise to loosen the truss rod. To tighten the truss rod turn it clockwise. You should only turn the truss rod a quarter turn at a time.
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Step 5
Test the neck and check the relief in the neck after the adjustment. If the neck relief is still not correct you can adjust the truss rod another quarter turn. If the neck is still not correct allow it to settle for at least 24 hours before making any further adjustments.
