Just done it to my Martin HD35 when I put the gage on 6th fret it was a bit tight, it's fine now with the tools I got from Amazon Nomad truss rod and gage. This footage was a great help. Thanks
Really pro video guys, thank you. I'm ordering the MN truss rod wrench for my Martin that has been in storage and traveling through different state climates. She needs a tune!
Picked up my acoustic again a few years and started playing/writing for at least 3-5 hours daily. I was thinking that maybe the sun had gotten to it and warped my Martin. Nope. Just needed an Allen wrench and some patience. I only have one of those. Good thing is I’m gonna play extremely well after I lower the strings considering the hell and pain that guitar has been putting me through.
As someone who has setup his own and mates guitars for 20 years….my mind was blown when I saw the pick being used to fret the first fret when checking neck relief. Lol….how have I never seen or thought of that before?
In the KISS method you use the pick capo to hold the E strings down at the first fret because the first fret is a fixed reference point for making the truss rod adjustment and string height adjustment. The measurements labeled on the gauges are based off the fixed-point reference of the first fret. Holding down the string at the first fret with the Pick Capo allows you to make an accurate adjustment following the KISS methods linear flow. In the flow you have not yet addressed your nut slot height which makes it a nonvalid reference point. Adjusting the nut slot height is the last step in the playability part of the setup. Following the KISS linear flow allows you to setup your guitar to play and sound great without having to go back and repeat steps.
So. I have this Martin X Series purchased in 2020. It has fret buzz from frets 11-13 on all strings. This started a month ago. I added as much relief as I could AND added some paper shims under the saddle. It got a lil better but still prevalent. I’ve a suspicion my 14th fret needs shaved down? Idk. I’m lost. Any advice would be tubular😞
The KISS setup method is based on doing all the steps in order and having level frets. For worn or un-even frets you will have to compensate for that until you are able to get fretwork done. To achieve clean notes and no buzzing without fretwork, you will need to raise the action until you achieve no buzz. More relief in the neck and higher string action can solve this but is harder to play and can lead to intonation issues. If you are having any of these issues, we recommend you take your guitar to a qualified repair shop.
Our pick capo is thicker than standard picks. Designed to applies just enough tension and is easy to slip in without worrying about where it sits on the fret. You can use a regular capo but you need to make sure it is holding down the string directly on top of the 1st fret using the least amount of tension otherwise you will get an inaccurate reading.
Still confused what's a "pick capo" those are 2 separate things so I'm confused. I understand that yo hold down 12th fret and 1st fret without excessive pressure 👍❤️💯 great knowledge. How does sliding a pick in like that pushing the big string down enough
This would use the same principle. You will fret at first fret and the 12th fret, and measure at the 6th fret. You can also reach out to us at tech@musicnomad.com and we can discuss your instrument's specific needs. Thanks!
You will measure the relief at the 6th fret with the low E-string only. Relief is the first step in the KISS method. You can check out this video on setting up a Martin Guitar to see the entire KiSS process, or feel free to reach out to us at tech@musicnomad.com to discuss your instruments specific needs. ua-cam.com/video/sOFoEl2c57A/v-deo.html
We respect the different ways manufacturers and repair techs approach neck relief. Our Collaboration with Master Guitar Tech Geoff Luttrell and his 20+ years, two high volume guitar shops setting up 10,000 plus guitars, teaching 100's of students in his setup workshops, in house Plek experience, plus we asked a handful of other top repair shops the most common setup measurements and this was the unanimous measurements for a a great sounding and playing guitar. We realize there are many different opinions plus these can dialed in more for the type of player and playing style.
Hey GREAT VIDEO. I have a Martin GPCPA4. I tried adjusting the truss rod and sure enough i damaged it. I turn it anticlockwise and there is no adjustment on the neck. I turned it clockwise until it cant go any further ( i heard a small crack( and no adjustment. I think i have to replace the Truss Rod. I have contacted Martin and no answer. Can you recommend a Truss Rod i can purchase? there is a local Luthier that can replace it for me as i dont have the tool necessary. I just need advice on what truss rod to buy. PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!
@@MusicNomadCare Hey Thank you so much for your reply. If you had to make an educated guess, do you think the truss Rod on Martin's Website would work? I only see one truss rod they have on their website. My Martin joins at the 14th fret
We can not any recommendation on replacing a truss rod, this should be done by either the manufacture or a qualified repair shop who can physical elevate your truss rod situation give you proper recommendation. So sorry for the inconvenience
It sounds like your truss rod is stuck/frozen. Make sure your wrench is seated well and you may need to turn it counterclockwise to loosen the truss rod and then you can make your proper adjustment. If you have any additional questions or needs you can email our guitar tech at tech@musicnomad.com
The Keep It Simple Setup we designed with seasoned repair techs suggests acoustic guitar neck relief at .008” is best. Reach out to the manufacturer if want to see what they recommend.
@@MusicNomadCare OK thanks I am happy with the overall sound and everything is fine but it looks like it has more neck relief than usual. Is it harmful to let it be the way it is? I am ok with overall sound and performance and as long as physically it does not bring any harm to the guitar I want to let it be :)
Once your guitar has been setup using the KISS method and measurements, you can dial it in from there for your specific playing needs. There is no harm leaving a bit of extra relief in your neck if the guitar plays and sounds good for you.
The string needs to terminate on the 12th fret. You can push the string down on top of the 12th fret or on the 13th fret so the string rests on the 12th fret.
So technically you are pressing down behind the twelfth fret, between the 13 and 12 fret on the fretboard, sheesh, 🙄 we need more names for the difference between the fret on the board and the actual metal fret, we also need the keep it simple stupid method 😉
He says fretting the 12th but he’s actually fretting the 13th fret . He means fret the 13th this places the distance halfway between at 6th just a verbal mistake
I have watched several videos on adjusting the truss rod and this one is the best! Thank you!
Great job explaining neck relief.
Just done it to my Martin HD35 when I put the gage on 6th fret it was a bit tight, it's fine now with the tools I got from Amazon Nomad truss rod and gage. This footage was a great help. Thanks
Really pro video guys, thank you. I'm ordering the MN truss rod wrench for my Martin that has been in storage and traveling through different state climates. She needs a tune!
Thanks for the explanation. I’ll be doing this before my next string change.
Wow this the best video describing how the truss rod works. Watched several videos on it that left me confused.
Glad it was helpful!
That sir is a great teaching presentation! Thanks so much 🎵💎🌟💚
Clear and concise description of the steps. I will confidently be able to make the correct adjustment on mine.
Picked up my acoustic again a few years and started playing/writing for at least 3-5 hours daily. I was thinking that maybe the sun had gotten to it and warped my Martin. Nope. Just needed an Allen wrench and some patience. I only have one of those. Good thing is I’m gonna play extremely well after I lower the strings considering the hell and pain that guitar has been putting me through.
Crystal and easy to understand explanation and demo.Thanks
As someone who has setup his own and mates guitars for 20 years….my mind was blown when I saw the pick being used to fret the first fret when checking neck relief. Lol….how have I never seen or thought of that before?
In the KISS method you use the pick capo to hold the E strings down at the first fret because the first fret is a fixed reference point for making the truss rod adjustment and string height adjustment. The measurements labeled on the gauges are based off the fixed-point reference of the first fret. Holding down the string at the first fret with the Pick Capo allows you to make an accurate adjustment following the KISS methods linear flow. In the flow you have not yet addressed your nut slot height which makes it a nonvalid reference point. Adjusting the nut slot height is the last step in the playability part of the setup. Following the KISS linear flow allows you to setup your guitar to play and sound great without having to go back and repeat steps.
@@MusicNomadCare yea thats what he said music nomad bot
I have been doing Luthier work for years and have adjusted 100s of guitars. LOL...BUT... I never understood till now why a neck needs a slight relief!
I wish I would have gained this knowledge sooner. I always swing my guitar towards an amp til it breaks in the middle and then buy a new one.
Rock on!
Lol!!!
Doesn't that get rather expensive? 😮
So. I have this Martin X Series purchased in 2020. It has fret buzz from frets 11-13 on all strings. This started a month ago. I added as much relief as I could AND added some paper shims under the saddle. It got a lil better but still prevalent. I’ve a suspicion my 14th fret needs shaved down? Idk. I’m lost. Any advice would be tubular😞
The KISS setup method is based on doing all the steps in order and having level frets. For worn or un-even frets you will have to compensate for that until you are able to get fretwork done. To achieve clean notes and no buzzing without fretwork, you will need to raise the action until you achieve no buzz. More relief in the neck and higher string action can solve this but is harder to play and can lead to intonation issues. If you are having any of these issues, we recommend you take your guitar to a qualified repair shop.
I always retune before checking my clearance after adjusting the truss rod. Didn't see him do that.
What's the "pick capo" that you use to fret the E string with, can I use any ol' pick to do the same?
Our pick capo is thicker than standard picks. Designed to applies just enough tension and is easy to slip in without worrying about where it sits on the fret. You can use a regular capo but you need to make sure it is holding down the string directly on top of the 1st fret using the least amount of tension otherwise you will get an inaccurate reading.
Still confused what's a "pick capo" those are 2 separate things so I'm confused. I understand that yo hold down 12th fret and 1st fret without excessive pressure 👍❤️💯 great knowledge. How does sliding a pick in like that pushing the big string down enough
Can you do a video on how to setup a Stratocaster tremolo pls
what about an acoustic short scale bass? What is correct relief snd action ?
This would use the same principle. You will fret at first fret and the 12th fret, and measure at the 6th fret. You can also reach out to us at tech@musicnomad.com and we can discuss your instrument's specific needs. Thanks!
What about the other strings? What height should they be at the 6th fret with this method? Thanks.
You will measure the relief at the 6th fret with the low E-string only. Relief is the first step in the KISS method. You can check out this video on setting up a Martin Guitar to see the entire KiSS process, or feel free to reach out to us at tech@musicnomad.com to discuss your instruments specific needs. ua-cam.com/video/sOFoEl2c57A/v-deo.html
@@MusicNomadCare Thanks so much!
Don’t Martin recommend between 0.003 and 0.005 ?
We respect the different ways manufacturers and repair techs approach neck relief. Our Collaboration with Master Guitar Tech Geoff Luttrell and his 20+ years, two high volume guitar shops setting up 10,000 plus guitars, teaching 100's of students in his setup workshops, in house Plek experience, plus we asked a handful of other top repair shops the most common setup measurements and this was the unanimous measurements for a a great sounding and playing guitar. We realize there are many different opinions plus these can dialed in more for the type of player and playing style.
Thanks for the reply
Hey GREAT VIDEO. I have a Martin GPCPA4. I tried adjusting the truss rod and sure enough i damaged it. I turn it anticlockwise and there is no adjustment on the neck. I turned it clockwise until it cant go any further ( i heard a small crack( and no adjustment. I think i have to replace the Truss Rod. I have contacted Martin and no answer. Can you recommend a Truss Rod i can purchase? there is a local Luthier that can replace it for me as i dont have the tool necessary. I just need advice on what truss rod to buy. PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!
You will need to talk with Martin or your go to repair shop. So sorry for the inconvenience.
@@MusicNomadCare Hey Thank you so much for your reply. If you had to make an educated guess, do you think the truss Rod on Martin's Website would work? I only see one truss rod they have on their website. My Martin joins at the 14th fret
We can not any recommendation on replacing a truss rod, this should be done by either the manufacture or a qualified repair shop who can physical elevate your truss rod situation give you proper recommendation. So sorry for the inconvenience
Really helpful and understandable. Thank you!
I put the allen key in but can’t tell if it’s in the right spot and it’s impossible to turn??
It sounds like your truss rod is stuck/frozen. Make sure your wrench is seated well and you may need to turn it counterclockwise to loosen the truss rod and then you can make your proper adjustment. If you have any additional questions or needs you can email our guitar tech at tech@musicnomad.com
My Martin D10E seems to have a lot of neck relief . What is the factory default?
The Keep It Simple Setup we designed with seasoned repair techs suggests acoustic guitar neck relief at .008” is best. Reach out to the manufacturer if want to see what they recommend.
@@MusicNomadCare OK thanks I am happy with the overall sound and everything is fine but it looks like it has more neck relief than usual. Is it harmful to let it be the way it is? I am ok with overall sound and performance and as long as physically it does not bring any harm to the guitar I want to let it be :)
Once your guitar has been setup using the KISS method and measurements, you can dial it in from there for your specific playing needs. There is no harm leaving a bit of extra relief in your neck if the guitar plays and sounds good for you.
should i tighten the truss rod while strings are on? Mine is very tight and difficult to turn clockwise.
Yes you will want your string on, guitar in tune when making your truss rod adjustment
Looks like you're fretting the 13th fret. I'm puzzled
Geoff is pressing down between the 12th and 13th fret so the string is fretting at the 12th fret
@@MusicNomadCare Thanks for clarification.
Isnt he fretting the 13th fret. Thats what it look like. I am seeing this wrong?
The string needs to terminate on the 12th fret. You can push the string down on top of the 12th fret or on the 13th fret so the string rests on the 12th fret.
TRUSS rod
So technically you are pressing down behind the twelfth fret, between the 13 and 12 fret on the fretboard, sheesh, 🙄 we need more names for the difference between the fret on the board and the actual metal fret, we also need the keep it simple stupid method 😉
He is pressing down right behind the 12th fret in between the 12th & 13th fret so the string is contacting/fretting at the 12th fret
The action on that Martin looked way too high !
He says fretting the 12th but he’s actually fretting the 13th fret . He means fret the 13th this places the distance halfway between at 6th just a verbal mistake
Hey Sonny, he is pressing down in between the 13th & 12th fret so the string is making contact on the 12th fret.
Dude, how did you not get this ?
Very helpful. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.