Understanding guitar truss rod adjustment
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- Опубліковано 17 вер 2019
- With the right tools and this guide, you'll be able to adjust your truss rod with confidence to achieve that perfect playability and sound. Dan Erlewine shows how the truss rod works, different truss rod types and configurations, common issues, measuring neck straightness, and adjusting the neck straightness using the truss rod.
Truss Rod Wrench for Fender
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Hex Truss Rod Wrenches
www.stewmac.com/item/6101
Allen Truss Rod Wrenches
www.stewmac.com/item/6107
Soundhole Truss Rod Wrenches
www.stewmac.com/item/6209
Notched Straightedge Set
www.stewmac.com/item/4015
Guitar Grease
www.stewmac.com/item/3413
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Finally! A video that not only shows WHAT a truss rod does, but HOW it does it. Thanks Dan!
Galaxyman 63, you don't have to thank him. Stew-Mac is getting hundreds of thousands of hits and subs, while promoting their products.
Didn't even know a truss adjustment existed until today!
Now I just have to figure out WHEN a truss rod does it!
Dan is the grandpa every guitarist dreams of.
I’ve already adopted him as one of mine.
That’s for sure 👍
Actually I would like Eric Clapton as my grandpa now he is old enough :)
Literally came down to the comments to say this, he seems like the kind of patient, knowledgeable and loving grandpa any kid would want to have whether they play guitar or not
He is the dream grand pappy
This video is the model for how a tutorial should be done - no infuriating intro, no hype, just really helpful, to the point information delivered by a friend. Thank you!
This is the best truss rod video I’ve ever seen. Not only is it so simple and well explained, but I’ve learned so much in these 5 minutes that I’ve been searching for for a very long time. The visuals (both pictures and him showing us) were absolutely perfect. Thank you so much.
Damn, what videos have you been seeing? This isn't a bad video but there are plenty of better videos out there
@@andrepereira744 No I agree, it's completely cleared things up for me too. I guess I've just been watching the wrong videos but this is one of the first videos I've seen that describes what it does and HOW it does it. Plus the animations make it very clear. There are so many crap videos where people just say "now put your fingers here and here on the fretboard, and if the string bounces do this, else do this..."
This video is garbage and doesn’t help at all
I feel like I can really truss him.
Underrated comment.
that's exactly how i felt listening to him
Are you from an orphanage, jail or on drugs buddy?
Why are you humiliating the old man?
Just keep your mouth shut and give thumbs down, why the bad language?
Idk. I've been down that rod before and i've been let down.
Shashank Sherkar
Dude what are you talking about
Dan’s knowledge is pure gold. Man, I’d be his apprentice for free.
I thought the same thing. 🍻🐐
Don’t you have to pay to be under someone’s teachings?
Return of the Native
I suppose being someone’s apprentice is sort of like an internship, then? You work for them to get experience and maybe earn a little cash?
*You should've say "I would pay to be his apprentice" dude, is not a privilege to have you under tutelage it is a privilege to have someone like him as teacher.*
My dad just removed the truss rod from my guitar so we don’t have to worry about it
Man, who ever is editing these videos together is doing a fantastic, top-level job. I need to watch these videos and whoever you are has made the educational task as pleasant as imaginable.
Dan is a living treasure to the guitar world! Beautifully explained!
I think a lot of people fear adjusting the truss rod because they don't know what it does and they worry they'll make a bad situation worse. This video finally clears it up in a way any noob should understand.
as a noob, I'm fully aware of what the truss rod does, I mean it takes only a tiny bit of common sense to guess a metal rod inside a wooden neck would be for. My issue was "how much should I turn it?" I've turned it hard enough to hear a crunching sound, and that was pretty scary. This video is great because it shows how to approach it. I've read about truss rods and seen diagrams, but in the end they aren't very helpful at all.
Years and years of books talking about warped necks and whatnot have scared many a guitarist.
Agreed, well said H.G.
Same and I’ve been playing for a while , but my homie from hs that plays guitar told me it’s essential af so I wouldn’t rely on a tech all the time
I feel like I wanna learn more because of how calm he looks and talks.
Dan Erlewine is an institution! This man worked on some of the most legendary guitars in the world and his contributions are unmatched! Dan should be give an honorary induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!
I feel that there should be a hall of fame for audio engineers, technicians, and luthiers, the men behind the famous musicians and supported them
@@TheChadPad Well, Grammys and other music shows recognize and award engineers and techs, but luthiers are often praised only by the artists who depend on them. But yes, there should be a way to honor all those who work hard in the shadows and make artists sound great.
I think Joe Meek, Jim Marshall & others have been recognised for their contributions to music etc..but l agree there's some talented ppl behind the scenes whove gone unnoticed.
Been playing for 51 years. VERY good and informative instructions for beginner guitar techs!
Dan Erlewine - a National Treasure
>StewMac uploads video without Dan
>Tons of dislikes
>StewMac uploads video with Dan
>Zero dislikes
...Unless you buy one of the many books he has written over the last three or so decades
If the guitar has a sever up bow should the strings be down tuned or loosened before attempting to adjust the truss rod?
@@nicktravelstead515 that makes sense to me
Who are you quoting?
Dear Dan, thank you for this, two years on I still come back here every time I adjust a truss rod.
Thank you.. I hope all is well and your rocking out as much as possible
If you can use your guitar as a bow and arrow, you may need a truss rod adjustment.
Wait a minute. You mean that's not what dad's guitar is for?
If your guitar neck looks like yer hound dog's legs....you might need a truss rod adjustment.
I like the way he talks. It’s kinda relaxing 🙂👍🏻
ASMR Guitar
He likes the way you talk, mmmm hhhmmm.
I’m a grandfather. I bought my grandson a Les Paul a year ago...guess what we’re doing when he comes over this weekend? THANK YOU SO MUCH! Maybe I’ll get my Fender Strat back...maybe ;) Comprehensive, crystal clear, communicative, concise, conscientious, compelling, and complete, and all of those c’s earn an A+. First UA-cam channel to which I’ve ever subscribed.
I want to take this moment to thank you Dan for sharing your insights and wisdom regarding guitar care and maintenance.
Hats of to you Dan !! :))
The strings on that SG are also from 1960!
No kidding, hahaha
Absolutely disgraceful.
I was scanning the comments for that statement!
I use a can of Tony Iommi Vintage Rust Spray on new strings and they sound great.
They are the original strings
The truss rod has always been the final frontier for me with doing guitar maintenance. 5 and a half minutes later upon finding this video, I know feel I have a pretty good grasp on the idea. I think I'm ready to start doing setups.
It wasn't adjusting the action and intonation of a Floyd Rose?
@@773Spair Oddly enough, I threw together a surface mounted floyd rose guitar build, with a nice licensed bridge, to learn on, and despite having the worst frets ever that came on the well used neck, with no ability to switch it out at the moment for lack of money, that stuff came fairly easy. I did learn the hard way, though. The knife edge got slightly worn by my bad attempt to mess with the action (I didn't get too fairly far thank God). Also, for intonation, I stick something under the bridge to jack it up, do my adjustments, then put it back. I find that far easier than loosening everything, adjusting, putting it back, checking, and doing that over and over.
@@Aaron-zh4kj Thanks for letting me know. I'm happy to read they weren't too difficult for you.
Fantastic content. The way Dan delivers the tips ( simple , clear and concise) he makes novice people confident in making their own adjustments. I wish they had a shop near me so that I could give them my guitar for more in depth customization work.
This was such a concise, no filler video, and honestly oddly relaxing lol.
Great video. Thanks, Dan, for displaying all your great knowledge and experience on guitar repair for the rest of us to learn.
This is the clearest, most concise guide I've been able to find for this. Thank you so much, now I can fix my bass tonight!
Man. That guitar owner looks like he hasn't changed those strings since 1966! Nice video, thank you, Dan.
I love Mr. Dan teaching us about our guitars, he does it with passion. Greetings.
Thanks sir, can't thank you enough for this amazing lesson on guitar truss rods, been looking for a tutorial to really understand how trus rods work and the only one that really dig into the concept was yours, thanks a million
This really helped a lot. I did some adjustments on my bass that I'd been afraid to adjust for years and it fixed the issues I wasn't even fully sure my bass had. Thank you for the simple and clear explanation of what to do and how it works.
I gotta tell you this is probably the best how-to video I've ever seen. I wish they were all this easy to follow and to the point. Plus, it reminded me how much I love this instrument. Thank you.
I'm new to the channel. Congratulations on the highly informative content; straight to the point, no long introductions and no frills.
started following Dan in 1985-86. I retired from lutherie work 11 years ago and he is still going....super star
Brilliant, thanks Dan. I just took a bit of relief out of my 2007 Tele neck. I used a 3/16" hex key and it worked really well. I eased the neck back a bit then tightened the rod (so as not to compress the wood too much) as mentioned it your "How to Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great" book.
I like the magic marker tip. Half turn to the left, fret buzz solved. Thank you so much Dan
this is one of the cleanest, clearest, most concise channels ive found for working on any kinda guitar stuff. sique
There’s a lot more to learn here, apart from the string’s action and rod adjustment.
Some of them are: genuineness, benevolence, teaching and communication skills, simplifying and briefing the subject, and many more!
Sir,...thanks a lot for your gracious, well prepared and absolutely professional video!
Salute
I've been playing guitar / bass for 15 years now. I was always afraid to make adjustment to the truss rod, because I had a wrong idea on how it works apparently. Got a new bass yesterday which was not set up correctly and I was about to take it to a store to get it fixed. With this video I adjusted it myself in 5 minutes. Thank you!
Dan is the reason I started setting up my own guitars and now others. Fabulous advice I'm so thankful for. I'm amazed how many guitars I've bought that just needed some TLC.
They all need setup unless it's used and someone already set it up.
One of the best video tutorials I've ever seen. Short, straight to the point, contains diagrams which make the matter extremely clear, and a clear, nice sounding voice.
"Don't be afraid to adjust you're own trussroad" This is the best advice we can say to a beginner!
Thanks a lot! Having had no guitar teacher ever, I love it when such kind people share their knowledge! 😃
When I took lessons back in the 80's and complained the action was too high.My instructor took my guitar to the tech who was in the shop. "He's gonna adjust your truss rod, he'll bring it right back and we'll get on with the lesson" I said I wanna see. "No, you mess with a truss rod you can break the neck of your axe man. ALWAYS bring it in for a truss adjusment." Now I wanna break his neck. I was always a hands on kinda guy, figured if I saw it being done, I could do it myself , no big deal.
You're a champ man...taking the time to impart your wisdom and confidence is the gesture of a "legend" !!!
I really enjoyed your method of teaching. Relaxed, down to earth, and friendly. Bravo, and please keep it up!
I have done a lot of reading about adjusting guitar necks and still couldn't get it down. Thank you for this video I Now understand it totally. This was a Godsend. Thank you lots.
What a great short and simple explanation! Thanks for putting this out there, very appreciated
Taught me all I needed to know, adjusted mine after a string gauge change with no problems - thanks!
This is the 7 video on truss rods I have watched. He was the most informational and clear. Thank you
Sounds like an advice from my father. Love u, sir.
Literally the best educational video about truss rod I’ve ever seen. Simple and precise.
Glad you enjoyed it!
This is the best explanation of the principle, procedure and result that I could find. Thanks a lot for helping me set my guitar to play like a million bucks!
Thank you grandpa dan! I was finally able to adjust to a low action! For a year of owning my guitar my fingers were tormented by the high action and I was really scared of the chance of breaking my trust rod, this vid gave me the courage to just go for it. God I'm so thankful!
This was the video I've needed to see for years. Thank you!
Even though I know this already I just like watching Dan
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Totally. I've been setting up my own guitars for 20 years. But I see Dan in my feed it's an automatic click.
Plain and simple: You are The King!
(And, you inspire confidence--not fear.)
Wow excellent advice I didn't know about that special tool for adjusting the truss rod on a Strat from the body end. I have a 61 Strat and that tool will make life a lot easier when it's time to adjust the truss rod.
Great video!!! Saved me a whole Benjamin while increasing my guitar mechanics comprehension!
Thanks for sharing, that was really educational. I've had to make a few truss rod adjustments on my acoustic guitar that requires an allen key right by the sound hole.
i am looking at the exact same thing right now, but was afraid to mess with it until i've researched a bit
/Wowshet
The best truss rod adjustment video on UA-cam.
Simple explanation, graphical information with a bit words of encouragement.
The confidence level to set the truss rod is high right now. Thank you. 🙂
I’ve owned your book Guitar Player Repair Guide for years. Wealth of knowledge there. Thank you!
Something I like to do is to first set the intonation at the 12th fret. Sometimes, I like also setting it at the 14th vs an open string. Then, if my 7th fret note is playing sharp compared to an open string, I'll know that the neck has too much bow. This helps me nail down the exact best setting for the rod.
I felt that when he said "don't be afraid to adjust your own truss rod".
What a nice guy his voice is so peaceful and worry free
Thanks Dan, Its amazing how many truss rod videos do NOT give clear visuals of direction to tighten, yours does!
My 72 Les Paul started backbowing and this got me up and running again!
This video in 2 words: "Righty tighty". It works for me
The significance to that silly expression is that it sound wrong to say it backwards. Lefty tighty righty loosey or righty loosey lefty tighty just don’t sound ...right. It works pretty well for noobies until they run across some left handed threads for the first time. I always preferred clockwise talk but I’ve seen a lot of people stop for a second and repeat that little saying.
Nooz Zoo - Good point, but it can be a quick and helpful reminder since it's such a popular and easy phrase to remember. It works as long as you think of the direction of the rotation as starting from the top (12 o'clock) of the nut or bolt, with regard to your perspective of it. But yea, I think most people (at least I do) just intuitively imagine "righty" as being clockwise and "lefty" being counterclockwise, since that's the direction the clock hands move when at the starting position (12 o'clock, or 0 o'clock).
Nooz Zoo - yea, whatever helps you remember is what's best. 👍
I didn’t know I’d need this, but I did. You got yourself a subscriber.
Thank you gramps.
The only person ever told not be afraid to adjust the truss rud.
Thanks again
This is the most straightforward demonstration I've see! Thanx! I'm not so afraid of it anymore. I had visions of wood splitting before I saw your video!
Great video! I am going to share this with a lot of people. Most people I do work for are the same - afraid to try adjusting the truss rod or are simply confused about the way it works.
Also, those strings on that sg! Oof, my fingers feel gross just thinking about playing that 🤣
@stevecollins I was thinking the same thing! I picked up an Epi SG cheap with similar strings a while back and I was thinking whether I get my shots before or after removing them!
I know the following story does not go with this video but worth telling a luthier as you . I have a Martin D-35, 1970 year. It has been played a lot. A few years back I needed to have some work done that I did not know how to do. There were a couple of braces inside that were loose. The neck was bowed and I hate strings a mile from the frets. The tuners needed to be replaced. I took it to an authorized Martin Luthier in my town, Columbia, South Carolina. He kept my guitar for over 6 months. That did not bother me a lot but after awhile I began to question if he was even working on my guitar. I went by his shop unannounced and he was still not finished. He said he would finish it by the next two weeks. He called mw and told me to come by and pick it up. It looked pretty good. The bow was out of the neck, new tuners, a couple of new frets and of course new strings. I picked it up and played it for a moment. I was better but still a little high on the tenth fret. I told him that the strings still needed to be lowered. He took it back, and a few minutes come back and said that was about a low as they would go. It was ok but not like it was new. He charged me $1,300 for the work. I was a little shocked but being stupid as I was, did not question it. I got home and began playing it and the more I played the more pissed off I became. After a few days, I called his shop and he had moved out of town somewhere in North Carolina. I wrote a letter to Martin and of course, NO reply. After doing some research of my own and watching video's like yours, I figured out just what the problem was. The neck needed to be re-set to get the action back where is was supposed to be. The bridge bone was cut so low the strings could not be lowered without a neck re-set. I don't play the guitar anymore as it really makes me angry as to what happened to me and a great guitar. I hope one day that SOB gets what is coming to him.
Come on man! You can’t let this little lesson keep you from playing guitar! Everyone who can’t play is jealous, playing guitar is a source of joy! Nothing will help put this bad experience behind you like playing the guitar!
I hope you just mean that you don’t play THAT guitar anymore. That is a bad deal, I feel that you need a great luthier to perform a neck reset on a guitar like that. The amount he charged you is outrageous and should have included a neck reset at that price. Sorry to hear that.
@@braderrick I should have held his feet to the fire. Running out to town was not good either. Also, Martin could at lease responded to my letter.
@@alphagt62 At one time, I was a pretty good player. But losing interest has taken most of my talent from me. Maybe one day I will get back into it or at least have the guitar repair by someone that cares.
There are more bad ones than good ones. That comes from experience as well.
Thank you Dan. I have to say, I was always under the impression the there should be a slight up bow, how wrong was I - I’ve just followed your instructions to straighten the neck and all of a sudden, my guitar is playing like a dream. I can’t thank you enough!
what a great, simple explanation of what a truss rod adjustment is all about.
This is an excellent video. Great explanation of the truss rod. Marking the nut with a sharpie is a great idea.
Kristopher Lizotte, if this is so great, explain why he shows a "how to" only on a Gibson, then fumbles around with a vintage Fender, saying you need his "special tool", then never shows how to on a modern Fender or Martin?
I've been setting up my guitars for over 20 years now, and I've learned most of the trade secrets and specs for whatever guitar I'm playing. Saved myself a lot of money by doing it myself. I just purchased the correct tooling for setting up guitars, now all of mine are near perfect for me using manufacturer's specs. Thanks Dan for the info...
Paul V. Gentile do you do your own frets ?
@@theofficialdiamondlou2418 No, I don't. But I do everything else. I have a special friend that does frets, haven't needed him in years. I have a sort of light touch so not a lot of fret wear. Then again I don't hold on to them for long periods of time except for the ones I have now and they're keepers.
Paul V. Gentile cool , appreciate it.
✌️
@@theofficialdiamondlou2418 You're welcome, yeah I know , too much info at one time, sorry for the book.
Thank you thank you thank you, I am so happy I came across this channel, I immediately subscribed. I have been playing guitar for 25 years, but I always avoided doing very much adjusting and tech stuff myself. As I'm now starting to do more, the truss rod was still a scary thing for me. I watched your great explanation and in 5 minutes I feel like I know more than I have learned in 25 years, thank you! I'll be checking all your videos out.
I watch a lot of YT videos and Dan is absolutely one of the best teachers anywhere.
The one thing I've noticed, over the years, is that Gibson truss rods are really sensitive. Even 1/16 of a turn can make a world of difference, hence the .012 feeler gauge used at around the 5th, 6th or 7th frets for proper neck relieve. I have one guitar that I got down to .010 on the neck relief and it plays fine with no buzz.
Great video. Tell Dan Erlewine we’re still waiting for another visit to Red Wing!
This this channel and the Dr Z channel are my favorite on youtube! I never fail to learn something really valuable and I just adjusted the trust rods on all five of my guitars and they play wonderfully! Thank you very much sir!
This is by far the best and number one video I've seen for explaining the truss rod and how it works. The old boys do it the best.
Great video. Just what I was looking for. A++++
I'm Peter. Now you know me, so send me that tool this Christmas plz
Thanks so much for this video! I got some thicker gauge strings on my acoustic and was scared to touch the truss rod even though it desperately needed some attention. Within 15 minutes I was tuned up and enjoying a much better neck!
Thanks for the explanation, after watching this I've adjusted the truss rod on my Les Paul and it's been a massive improvement on playability and sound.
I fear adjusting my truss rod for the same reason l fear changing a string...
I'm a drummer. 😬
GainesMediaInc 😂😂
GainesMediaInc. You can tell. 😆
I can help you with your rod ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
drummer here. can confirm. i take my guitars to a professional to have the truss rod adjusted and strings changed :P
Also, mixed company.
I'd buy a guitar from this man. Back when he started playing, everything only cost a nickel.
Thank you for this video. I bought a Mighty Mite neck from you guys- Strat neck with a compound radius. While it feels great, as soon as I strung it, I had terrible amounts of fret buzz. I’ve never adjusted a truss rod before, so I was so nervous that I was about to seek professional assistance. Thank you for demystifying the process- I will do this tonight.
I don't even own a guitar nor I play a guitar, yet I am here and watched the entire video and amazed listening to such a soothing instructions and I can feel his passion on guitar coming through. I wish he was my next door neighbor; I would go there everyday to just talk and help him on whatever he is upto. God bless
Great video!
One question: should I do this while the guitar is in tune, in tuning I play in, or should I loosen the strings first? Truss rod is accessible from the headstock in my case.
Thanks in advance!
Dmytro, when it's in tune.
'Everybody i know gets one for Christmas' :D
Honestly an incredible explanation of truss rods. Don't know why it alluded me so much, but this helped me understand how to properly adjust my guitars. Thanks!
The experience people like you have is priceless.
He seems like a great grandpa, just have a nice chitchat with him with a cup of coffee....
Dan seems like a “truss” worthy guy!
😂
👏👏
Dan Erlewine is not only a TRUE GENIUS Luthier, he is also a great guy! I asked him some questions and he was more than glad to get back to me. :-)
This gentleman is a legend, I had met him once in Texas when I had brought my Les Paul in to have my truss rod replaced.
"Come home to the impossible flavor of your own completion. Come home
to Simple Rick's."
Just one warning - with the old (60's) Framus it is easy to break/strip the rod. Guess how I know.
damn lol
That's probably because the truss rod nut was frozen. it happens to Fender guitars quite often because they don't have a truss rod cover. and the truss rod nut is exposed to the elements. especially guitars that sit in a guitar stand for long periods of time. because dust, dirt, lint, and moisture that are in the air. can settle down into the hole that the truss rod nut resides in. causing the nut to basically rust stuck on the truss rod. being as I build and repair guitars I have to warn customers. that there's a chance this could happen whenever a truss rod adjustment is required. and something I've been doing for some time is cutting a piece of foam rubber so it fits nicely into the adjusting hole. it's been a huge gripe I've have had with Fender for a long time. but finally after all these year's Fender has done something about this issue. now they make a plastic plug that fits in the truss rod hole. this issue happens to other guitars also but not near as much. it mostly depends on their environment the exposure they have and their age.
PERFECT!!!! I have a good eye, I'm a stud framer. Turned mine clockwise and wow pretty much fixed made a big difference. THANK YOU SOOOOOOOMUCH!
For a long time I was wondering why my Taylor was so difficult to play. I just adjusted the rod and now my action is so smooth. Thank you!!