How to Rotate a Truss Rod

Rotate the truss rod on your guitar or bass to bend the neck forward or backwards.

The truss rod is a metal rod that runs through the neck of a guitar or bass. The tension of a truss rod determines the bow of the neck on the guitar or bass. A truss rod with high tension will have a backward bow whereas a truss rod with low tension will have a forward bow. You can change the tension of the truss rod, as well as the bow of the guitar neck, by rotating the truss rod. Typically, rotating the truss rod until a slight forward bow is achieved is desired.

Things You'll Need

• Hexagonal key

Instructions

1. Find the point of access for the truss rod on your guitar or bass. In most electric guitars and basses there is an opening where the neck meets the headstock of the guitar. Sometimes a metal or plastic plate covers this opening. In most acoustic guitars and basses, there is an opening just inside the sound hole at the bottom of the neck.

2. Turn the tuning keys on your guitar or bass to loosen the tension of each string before rotating the truss rod.

3. Place a hexagonal key into the end of the truss rod. When using the correct-sized hexagonal key, the key should fit snugly into the truss rod without being able to wiggle around.

4. Turn the hexagonal key clockwise to tighten the truss rod and pull the neck forward.

5. Turn the hexagonal key counterclockwise to loosen the truss rod and pull the neck backwards.

6. Make only slight truss rod adjustments of an eighth or a quarter of a turn. Then retune the guitar and allow it to adjust to this new tension for a few days before adjusting the tension any further.

Tips & Warnings

• Take your guitar or bass to an experienced technician if you are not comfortable rotating the truss rod. A truss rod that has been adjusted improperly can damage the guitar.

References

• IGDB: Guitar Truss Rod Adjustment