How to Reset an Acoustic Neck
Necks on acoustic guitars can warp, either from moisture in the air, heat or stress. When this happens, the neck on an acoustic can be reset by adjusting the guitar's tension rod -- accessed through a small cover on the guitar's headstock -- where the tuning pegs are located. Care must be taken when resetting the acoustic guitar's neck, as forcing the truss rod to move can cause the neck to crack, a mishap that is irreparable.
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Things You'll Need
- Allen wrench set, or guitar truss rod wrenches
- Small Phillips screwdriver
- Quarter-inch drive socket wrench
- Quarter-inch socket set
- Marker
Instructions
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Resetting Acoustic Guitar Neck Truss-Rods
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1
Check the neck to determine if it is straight, back-bowed, or warped. Using both hands, hold the low "E" string (sixth string) down simultaneously on the first and 14th frets. At the sixth fret, notice any gap, or lack thereof, between the string and the frets. If properly set, there should be a small, even gap. If the neck is back bowed, the string will be touching both frets, and an extreme gap means the neck is warped upward.
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2
Access the truss rod. The truss-rod cover is located on the headstock, directly where it meets the neck. Remove the three screws holding the cover in place using a small Phillips screwdriver. Inside is the truss rod adjustment nut, which is either a standard hex nut or an Allen fitting, and may be standard or metric. When the nut is turned, the truss rod either tightens or loosens.
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3
Reset the acoustic guitar's neck. Begin by loosening the rod, turning it counter-clockwise with the proper Allen wrench, truss rod adjusting tool, or socket. Turning the truss rod counter clockwise helps to free the rod. Do not force it. If it is stuck, stop and consult a professional.
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4
Fix the adjustment problem. According to Guitar Player's Center, to reset an back-bowed neck, the proper direction to turn the truss rod is left, or counter clockwise. For a warped neck, turn the truss rod right, or clockwise. Be sure to turn carefully, remembering that small increments can cause radical adjustments.
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5
Examine the neck resetting. Constantly check the neck, using the test described for the sixth and 14th fret, after each small turn of the truss rod. Another method to examine the neck is by sighting. Look down the length of the neck by pointing the headstock downward, getting your line of vision aligned at the bridge of the guitar. You can ascertain if the neck is straight or bent using this technique. Repeat steps described earlier if more adjustment is necessary.
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6
Stop turning the truss rod when the desired adjustment is reached. Leave the rod in this position and screw the cover back into place.
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Tips & Warnings
If the headstock has no cover or truss-rod adjustment nut, you will find these at the opposite end of the neck, near the sound hole. Also, some acoustic guitars have no truss rod, and resetting these necks requires a professional.
Do not reset the neck on a guitar to improve the action. Unnecessary adjustments can cause unusual stress on the guitar's neck, as such actions mean that the neck is being forced into an unnatural position.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Creatas Images/Creatas/Getty Images
