@@jamesianv your intonation is off, it's a simple fix. Slightly different procedures for different bridge types. Tons of easy to understand videos on how to fix it here on youtube
COOL MY MAN! That is a BIG ONE for sooooo many people. The good thing to remember is that you're not going to break your neck. Plus, if you are about to bust your truss rod, you would almost have to be standing on the wrench making the adjustment to do it.
Hey Scott... Scotty Otty here. I don't know how to thank you for this. I have had some shitty things go on in my life that have ended me up piss poor. Having to pay someone to make this simple adjustment could take me months of putting my change aside. I WAS scared to damage my guitar. People said, " Oh no, that shit is for pros, " but I didn't see why they would give me the Allen Wrench if it was a difficult task. This lesson was so simple, the whole thing took 20 minutes. That was; watching the video for 12 minutes, getting my guitar for 1 whole minute, 5 minutes to locate the special elongated Allen Wrench that Alvarez kindly supplied, and 2 minutes to adjust my truss rod 1/4 turn at a time until my strings stopped rattling against my fret bars. Thank you kind sir.
...I've been doing the same thing for years, I almost never found a Guitar I could set up correctly without adjusting the truss rod, so it's nice to have it confirmed by an expert...Oh...by the way, nice to see you're feeling a bit better... :- )
The truss rod videos, the restring videos, the neck clean videos, the freebird guy rants. This is priceless information that EVERY guitar player needs. Thanks again Doctor Groovy!!
love the common sense mentality " if they didn't want you messing with it,they wouldn't give you the tool". I like your way of explaining things. informative and entertaining. your intonation video gave me the confidence to work on my mine.
I believe this is the easiest to understand truss rod lesson I have seen. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge. I have learned this and much more on setup from your paid lessons.
I can't imagine even someone who disagrees with him watching this video and not finding it entertaining at least... Just a joy to watch, as always! And just a shit ton of useful information that is made accessible to us!
Thanks Scott. I buy and sell guitars for a hobby and have a bunch I just couldn't find the heart to sell. I have always been afraid to adjust the truss rod, thinking maybe it was like diffusing an IED..one false move and BOOM! But I got this Epi Masterbilt and just fell in love with it..not much money in it..but the action was high and the fretboard had a dip in it. But I wanted to keep it. I watched this video and and said screw it, I'm gonna try! What a freaking wussy I have been. It is now perfect, my fingers hurt and I can't put it down. It was stupid easy. Now I'm gonna go through everything I own and instead of just living with it, I'm gonna adjust them suckers until they are all just the way I like 'em!
Just took your advice and now my guitar feels and sounds great. Was thinking about taking it to get worked on. Just saved some money. Thanks for all of your info and the confidence you give in applying and trying.Again THANKS!!!!!!!!
I immediately put this to work with my guitars. I have an SG, a studio Les paul, an Ibanez acoustic and several cheaper guitars. Now they all play nicely. I live where there are no guitar techs around, so I had put up with high actions on the guitars and buzzing. You don't know how much this helped. (being a drummer, but trying to learn guitar, it helps to have a good action set up correctly. Nothing worse than trying to learn an instrument that isn't set up properly) Thank you Scott. Not everyone is a guitar expert out of the gate, and without someone around who knows what they are doing, it's damn hard to learn correctly. When I teach drums, I start out with simple explanations until the concepts are familiar to the student. You did just that. You took a "mystical secret act" and made an explanation that even forrest gump would understand. Thanks
My first guitar was a Sears Silverstone. I got it back around 65 0r 66 and I love how all your video's teach new guitar players things I've learned and known for 50 years. Great job Scott. Wish I still had that old guitar I saw where they're worth a but load of money now.
@Scott Grove - I LOVE the way you explain things. I've been following your videos for a while now, I find it funny how so many people bash your 'abrasive' approach, but that's what makes you, well... YOU. I love it. The most useful guitar channel by far. I've met luthiers that don't know the E string from the B string, yet they will gladly take $100 to 'fix' and setup your guitar. Love your videos man, keep doing what you are doing. - Kevin D.
WOW, Explained so even I could understand it. Like you said Scott, Small adjustments at a time let her set and come back and check it. Thanks for this fun and informative video sir.
good job Dr. Groovy, I live in NZ too, and I've had a bridge pull off when changing strings because of humidity drying out my precious Cordoba Classical! They were kind enough to give me a brand new guitar so all is well. Thanks for the lesson!
Great video, I was afraid to setup a guitar but after watching these videos I bought a 100 guitar off amazon to practice on and have done truss rod, pickup swaps and fret levels/crowns with no issues.....and I really enjoy it. Thanks Scott !!!
I started a business doing this stuff out of my house. The closest guitar store is 45 minutes away and has a terrible reputation. You would be surprised how many parents bring in their kids guitars just for me to change the strings! Sometimes I feel bad charging $20 to do it but they know the cost upfront. It's really great tho when someone wants a full setup and they call me back and say their old guitar plays like new again and their really happy!
I've always been so afraid to adjust the truss rod, but not anymore. I adjusted it on one of my guitars and the rattle went away. From now on I'm going to call it the "trust" rod. Thanks!!
My guitar had a high action. I tried fixing with my bridge by turning screws. Nothing!. I bended the guitar like you did the flying v and it lowered the strings! Now I need to find a truss rod. Thanks!
My Ibanez electric guitar left handed buzzes on the E, B, and be G strings near the nut. I tried to raise the bridge and the nut and it still buzzes. So, I have to adjust my truss rod so the strings don't touch the frets. Good video and thanks for all your help.
I had this electric guitar for more than 10 years and got frustrated because it would not play. one day I took it to a music shop but I would not get it fixed because it meant I pay another 70 bucks. Now today when I look and listen to your video I find the same problem with my guitar, and I ran to the store room grab that electric guitar and adjust it with an Ellen key and voila it started to work perfectly. If it was not for this video i would have thrown my guitar in the bin or sold it for nothing. Thanks.
Thank you so very much. I hope it gives you a bit of confidence to do these adjustments now that you clearly know what REALLY works. lol Much appreciated Dustin. Stay GROOVY!
I just bought an old Takamine to tinker with, a fixer upper. The bridge was pulling up, so I kept it in a controlled temp and humidity room 70 deg F and 46-49% humidity for a few days. Then I used Tite bond and clamped the bridge back down and it looks great. When I strung it up a giraffe could walk under the strings near the 14 th fret. It is a cutaway electric. The strings are near perfect height at the nut. I clamped down the strings at the first and 14 th frets, adjusted the truss rod and the neck isnt bowed. It's just a constant increasing angle from the nut getting higher the closer you get to the bridge. I'm gonna let it sit a few more days, but I suspect I will have to lower the bridge to get the string height where it needs to be. At the 12th fret it is still way above the highest mark on the string gauge. I was sorry to hear about Robin. I have kept you and your family in our prayers. Thank you for all your help in these videos.
I enjoyed this video. Too many DIY videos I've seen do not explain that with acoustics it takes more time for wood to adjust. I check my neck brake (up or down) on mine every time I put on new strings and if I have to make an adjustment I let it set for 3 days in the room it stays in most often. Taking the time is very important in getting that instrument quality from your tuneup in as little time as possible. A little more feasibility with the electrics but as the video explains, at least a day. Stay pickin.
Thank you for your excellent information Scott. I got my LP set up recently, the shop done a great job. But I noticed the action was higher, then I watched your video. I was a bit freaked cos it's my 1st Gibson Les Paul bought new, but I tried it . Now I'm leaving it for a day or 2 like you said, but already there's a big difference. As ye said, ye get the tools so ye can do things for yourself unless a guitar tech is essential. Thanx again buddy. Eric, Northern Ireland. 🐺
It's about time this got explained in a way even the DMF's can understand. Scott I know this is going to help a lot of people out. I'm sure you'll still get a few folks who ask what direction you turn it to tighten/loosen the truss rod. If only more people got the whole righty tighty, lefty loosey concept... Did you put that paisley pick guard on your guitar yet? It would be cool if you showed it when you do. Peace out
Thank you sooo much. I was scared of adjusting the truss rod and i watched plenty of videos on the subject and they made it sound complicated. you have my sub \o/
thank u so much I'm new at playing and like setting my own stuff but been having trouble with my guitar I've watched a lot of vids but u helped me fixed it it make sense now thank u very much
When I got my Yamaha LL6 here in the UK I was wondering why it didn't come with an allen wrench for the truss rod and the guy said they don't give the plastic bag with the instruction manual and the allen wrench unless the customer knows what a truss rod is and asks for it because customers have no idea how to properly use it and end up messing the action up and coming back to the store. After that he handed me the pack. He also said they just threw the packs in the bin most of the time. It didn't make sense to me. Good thing I actually knew to ask for it before I left the store.
Very helpful video. 👍I'm not a good player so the guitars i end up buying 'need adjustments', usually due to painfully high fret height. This might just allow me to fix that before shaving is required! 👍👍
I keep a setup kit in my guitar case. Allen keys for my strat, stew-mac action gauge (handy little fucker if you're a machinist and hate doing head math to convert 1/64" increments into thousandths), and radius gauges. Sometimes I might need a quick truss rod tweak just taking it out of my house to another place. Other guitars I've set up for free. I don't believe in charging for 5 minutes of adjustment. Worst one was a Dean V. Action gauge reads .145" and it was above that. Neck was bowed like it was ready for an archery competition. I'm sure the .145" after getting the neck right was from them fighting an uphill battle with a bowed neck. The rod affects action greatly. I've checked my strat and saw changes of .010" to .020" at the 12th fret just from seasonal changes. This is happening with maybe a .005" change in relief. I sure as hell didn't move the saddles. Sorry for the long diatribe, but the people discounting setting the neck relief as not setting action irritated me. It's a 3 part system in setting action. Nut slots, neck relief, and saddle height. Everything works together, but neck relief is the one that will move around depending on climate and humidity.
man you posted this a day too late Lol. I couldn't get anyone to tell me what you told me in this video so I gave my guitar to a guitar shop yesterday, if I knew this I'd have just bought a tool to adjust the truss rod haha. great video
My Epiphone DR-1's truss rod is left-hand thread: righty loosey and lefty tighty, no joke. The neck was horse shoe shaped, huge bow in the neck, tightening the TR made it worse, I loosened the TR and the neck is now almost flat. I'm cornfused.
I really need your help Scott. I have been having a great deal of trouble with several guitar set ups that i own. I followed one of your videos on how to set up electric guitars.One of the guitar's I'm having trouble with is the Mick Thompson signature Its the MTM 100. It looks similar to a B.C Rich but it is an Ibanez. Its the bright red version and it has a very pointy and jagged edged look to it too. I Followed your instructions from your video by adjusting the truss rod but the E A D buzz and rattle out a lot I tried many ways of adjusting it with the truss rod. Like you said on your video no one should have to pay to turn a a Allan key a few of times. Sometimes its just the E that buzzes and rattles out usually from the 9th fret to the 24th fret This also happens depending on on how tight I turn the truss rod. The trouble is if I want the action to be the way really I want it it will buzz and rattle severely. The only way it buzzed less was was by making the action pretty high but that is unplayable to me and no doubt many others so I changed the action back a bit but I still don't like the string height. Even if i tighten the truss rod even just a touch it will buzz out and sound bad even through an amp. I even tried changing the bridge height but it didn't solve my problem. I have had similar issues with other guitars too when it comes to set ups. I can't seem to see what I am meant to be looking for when examining the neck. I thought I had it right on several attempts but the next day it sounds just as bad if not worse. The bridge on the Ibanez is a fixed bridge but its still an edge type bridge and it double locks but still goes badly out of tune all the time due to the set up I expect, the guitar isn't very old I haven't had it long . What am I doing wrong, how do I check the neck, how do I know what to look for. I have tried other methods from others on UA-cam that have demonstrated their way of doing this but that didn't work for me.Your way made the best sense to me and I would much rather learn from you anyways I hope you can help me. Hope to hear from you and it's great you have come back to UA-cam. Demon.
Is it safe to hang the guitar by the headstock right after tightening the truss rod? Or should it sit on the ground for a while until the neck straightens out?
Hi Scot from Canada,love your video's man. I have a question. I can't intonate my tele the E,B and G strings are all flat at the 12th fret, the bridge saddle are as close to the neck as possible and still flat.I've loosened and tightened the truss rod and still the 12th frets are flat, withe low E,A and D strings the saddle are as far away from the neck as possible and they are sharp. what do I do other than get a new guitar hahahaha.
Doctor Groovy Man, Question: i have 2 inexpensive Yamaha Classical guitars, NO Truss rod, the strings were too high, i sanded down the bottom of the bridge 1/8 of an inch the strings Did go lower a bit but not enough, should i keep on sanding down the bottom of the bridge and see what happens? ,I do not want to go to far, if i do i will need another Bridge and start all over.. thanks , Cousin Figel
The permanent damage often happens when it isn't adjusted when it should be and the guitar neck takes a 'set' when left out of adjustment for too many years.
Dr. Groovy- I could use some assistance setting up my Peavey Firenza. How does the truss rod at the bottom of the neck work? I've got fret buzz going on. Was going to restring with a bit heavier strings. I'm not sure how to do all of this setup work. Thanks.
Sure thing. Yeah, those wheel type are the best and easiest in the world to adjust. They should be on every guitar. You just cram anything that will fit in those holes (usually an allen wrench) when you tighten it (to the right) the middle of the neck will raise upward, loosen it an you will see the action getting further away from the frets in the middle. So, it only affects the middle of the neck. You'll want it really close to straight, but stop before it is 100% straight and if you go past the straight point....you'll know it right away because all of your strings will be laying on the frets in the middle. Adjust it while the guitar is in tune.
Think Fender warranty states defects become void if guitar is altered by unauthorised fender dealer. I asked my authorised fender dealer when i bought my strat to put 10's on and set it up, "Just put 'em on yourself it'll be fine", it wasn't fine, authorised assholes!
Mark Hughes "Altered" means modified. Standard maintenance is not altering the guitar. By your way of looking at it, only an authorized Fender technician can tune it without voiding the warranty.
Ok you answered my query right after I asked it. Amazing. My wavelength must have gotten to you quickly, because I live in Nevada, too! Elko. I can pick up songs by ear 80% of the time; I sure enjoy doing that. But your little tricks like pull-off I need to work on for sure. What's it called when you pick a string, then sort of mute it right after with the skin of your picking finger and just get the harmonic? Is there a name for that?
Thank you Scott for a well informed video,I was scared to adjust my truss rod before but after seeing your video I finally did it. I did it very slowly and it works. My guitar is so much easier to play now thanks to your help.keep up the good work. And by the way you really make me laugh with the things you come out with.
AWESOME! That's what I like to hear. Don't be scared of ANYTHING on your guitar.....it can take it. Show it who's boss. lol I'm always up for a good time and a good laugh, I'm glad you enjoy the warped sense of humor.
I have a 1 way single adjustment rod on a 1984ish roadstar ibanez. As the nut starts to untighten the neck straightens out and when the neck is perfectly straight And with strings in tune the nut adjustment is done. Any more and the nut starts to unscrew out freely. I would like to put a little concave bow in it but it runs out of adjustment. Is there anything I can do?
For years of having my guitar, I've never touched the truss rod! I totally was afraid of it around the first month of having my guitar. Soon enough I forgot about it, and have been playing with high action! (Not too serious, but my hand cramps after playing barr chords for too long, while it does not on other guitars). I'll give it a try, of course tho i've already done other things to lower my guitars action
My pleasure. Go ahead and leave the tension on the strings. There is only one time you would ever need to loosen them before adjusting the rod, but that actually is rare....it involves bending the neck while you are cramming your knee into the middle of the neck. Not a job for most folks. lol Cheers.
My New Acoustic Guitar Lessons Channel: ua-cam.com/channels/UT74DzWIwfhKOYyfK36OsQ.html
That was the best explanation ever. Most guys overcomplicate this topic. Nice one Scott!
Good I get it. What about open string in tune 12 fret out of tune?
@@jamesianv your intonation is off, it's a simple fix. Slightly different procedures for different bridge types. Tons of easy to understand videos on how to fix it here on youtube
Scott, with your steady guidance, I am proud to say I have lost my fear of the truss rod. Thank you
COOL MY MAN! That is a BIG ONE for sooooo many people. The good thing to remember is that you're not going to break your neck. Plus, if you are about to bust your truss rod, you would almost have to be standing on the wrench making the adjustment to do it.
BINGO! The truss rod is your friend, not the boogeyman hiding in the closet. It's the first adjustment I make in my setup process.
I am afraid of clowns.Circus clowns are the scariest.
Hey Scott... Scotty Otty here. I don't know how to thank you for this. I have had some shitty things go on in my life that have ended me up piss poor. Having to pay someone to make this simple adjustment could take me months of putting my change aside. I WAS scared to damage my guitar. People said, " Oh no, that shit is for pros, " but I didn't see why they would give me the Allen Wrench if it was a difficult task. This lesson was so simple, the whole thing took 20 minutes. That was; watching the video for 12 minutes, getting my guitar for 1 whole minute, 5 minutes to locate the special elongated Allen Wrench that Alvarez kindly supplied, and 2 minutes to adjust my truss rod 1/4 turn at a time until my strings stopped rattling against my fret bars. Thank you kind sir.
Now i finally got it after all these years! You expained it in plain English-language so easily. Thank you so much
...I've been doing the same thing for years, I almost never found a Guitar I could set up correctly without adjusting the truss rod, so it's nice to have it confirmed by an expert...Oh...by the way, nice to see you're feeling a bit better... :- )
The truss rod videos, the restring videos, the neck clean videos, the freebird guy rants. This is priceless information that EVERY guitar player needs. Thanks again Doctor Groovy!!
Scott has got to be the go-to guy! He gets to the point, without 17 pages of dialog, and he's usually irreverent, and funny to boot! Thanks Scott!
Great stuff Scott. Really helping me get back into guitar playing again at 71 years old.
love the common sense mentality " if they didn't want you messing with it,they wouldn't give you the tool". I like your way of explaining things. informative and entertaining. your intonation video gave me the confidence to work on my mine.
cant tell you how much money has been saved and playing enjoyment has been had cuz of this. Thanks Doc!
I believe this is the easiest to understand truss rod lesson I have seen. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge. I have learned this and much more on setup from your paid lessons.
I can't imagine even someone who disagrees with him watching this video and not finding it entertaining at least... Just a joy to watch, as always! And just a shit ton of useful information that is made accessible to us!
Thanks Scott. I buy and sell guitars for a hobby and have a bunch I just couldn't find the heart to sell. I have always been afraid to adjust the truss rod, thinking maybe it was like diffusing an IED..one false move and BOOM! But I got this Epi Masterbilt and just fell in love with it..not much money in it..but the action was high and the fretboard had a dip in it. But I wanted to keep it. I watched this video and and said screw it, I'm gonna try! What a freaking wussy I have been. It is now perfect, my fingers hurt and I can't put it down. It was stupid easy. Now I'm gonna go through everything I own and instead of just living with it, I'm gonna adjust them suckers until they are all just the way I like 'em!
Just took your advice and now my guitar feels and sounds great. Was thinking about taking it to get worked on. Just saved some money. Thanks for all of your info and the confidence you give in applying and trying.Again THANKS!!!!!!!!
Groovy my friend. I'm so glad it worked out for you. Stay away from those "Guitar doctors" as much as possible.
Groovy Music Lessons
Will do !!!
Always nice to save money, but maybe more importantly you learned about truss rods! There's just something very cool about that.
I immediately put this to work with my guitars. I have an SG, a studio Les paul, an Ibanez acoustic and several cheaper guitars. Now they all play nicely. I live where there are no guitar techs around, so I had put up with high actions on the guitars and buzzing. You don't know how much this helped. (being a drummer, but trying to learn guitar, it helps to have a good action set up correctly. Nothing worse than trying to learn an instrument that isn't set up properly)
Thank you Scott. Not everyone is a guitar expert out of the gate, and without someone around who knows what they are doing, it's damn hard to learn correctly. When I teach drums, I start out with simple explanations until the concepts are familiar to the student. You did just that. You took a "mystical secret act" and made an explanation that even forrest gump would understand. Thanks
My first guitar was a Sears Silverstone. I got it back around 65 0r 66 and I love how all your video's teach new guitar players things I've learned and known for 50 years. Great job Scott. Wish I still had that old guitar I saw where they're worth a but load of money now.
Awesome information thank you :) Finally someone explains this perfectly!
Just what I was looking for Dr. Groovy! I and many other DMF's appreciate these videos!
The most informative and down to earth explanation ever. Learned more here than anywhere
AWESOME!! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Stay GROOVY!!!
@Scott Grove - I LOVE the way you explain things. I've been following your videos for a while now, I find it funny how so many people bash your 'abrasive' approach, but that's what makes you, well... YOU. I love it. The most useful guitar channel by far. I've met luthiers that don't know the E string from the B string, yet they will gladly take $100 to 'fix' and setup your guitar. Love your videos man, keep doing what you are doing. - Kevin D.
Scott you are awesome, you have helped me so much. I really
like the way you say things, straight up no bull shit my brother.
WOW, Explained so even I could understand it. Like you said Scott, Small adjustments at a time let her set and come back and check it. Thanks for this fun and informative video sir.
good job Dr. Groovy, I live in NZ too, and I've had a bridge pull off when changing strings because of humidity drying out my precious Cordoba Classical! They were kind enough to give me a brand new guitar so all is well. Thanks for the lesson!
This video just saved me $100!!!! THANK you!!!!
Looking good Scott... hope you're feeling better... and great info AS USUAL
i would follow this man into battle every day and twice on sundays
Great video, I was afraid to setup a guitar but after watching these videos I bought a 100 guitar off amazon to practice on and have done truss rod, pickup swaps and fret levels/crowns with no issues.....and I really enjoy it. Thanks Scott !!!
I started a business doing this stuff out of my house. The closest guitar store is 45 minutes away and has a terrible reputation. You would be surprised how many parents bring in their kids guitars just for me to change the strings! Sometimes I feel bad charging $20 to do it but they know the cost upfront. It's really great tho when someone wants a full setup and they call me back and say their old guitar plays like new again and their really happy!
I've always been so afraid to adjust the truss rod, but not anymore. I adjusted it on one of my guitars and the rattle went away. From now on I'm going to call it the "trust" rod. Thanks!!
Thanks man I really appreciate it you got my guitar playing right now.
Save me money I can't afford to spend thank you
Best explanation ever. Simple and understandable. The wood model is awesome
Thank you very much!
My guitar had a high action. I tried fixing with my bridge by turning screws. Nothing!. I bended the guitar like you did the flying v and it lowered the strings! Now I need to find a truss rod. Thanks!
Sanchan Roleplays what?the truss rod in in the neck of your guitar
As always, a great video Scott! Thank you for explaining things in a down to earth fashion. That is appreciated more than you know!
My Ibanez electric guitar left handed buzzes on the E, B, and be G strings near the nut. I tried to raise the bridge and the nut and it still buzzes. So, I have to adjust my truss rod so the strings don't touch the frets. Good video and thanks for all your help.
"I'm just gonna fucking teach you how to fix the dam thing so you can play it." Made my day thank you for the tip!
I like your no bullshit approach groovy man
Scott I love it man the way you explain things , simple!
Great advice. I let my guitars sit for a week before I mess with them. Humidity is a bitch, even in So Cal.
Spot on Scott. You do adjust action with the truss. Respect from UK
I had this electric guitar for more than 10 years and got frustrated because it would not play. one day I took it to a music shop but I would not get it fixed because it meant I pay another 70 bucks. Now today when I look and listen to your video I find the same problem with my guitar, and I ran to the store room grab that electric guitar and adjust it with an Ellen key and voila it started to work perfectly. If it was not for this video i would have thrown my guitar in the bin or sold it for nothing. Thanks.
This has been the best explanation on truss rods I've seen. Thank you.
Thank you so very much. I hope it gives you a bit of confidence to do these adjustments now that you clearly know what REALLY works. lol Much appreciated Dustin. Stay GROOVY!
I just bought an old Takamine to tinker with, a fixer upper. The bridge was pulling up, so I kept it in a controlled temp and humidity room 70 deg F and 46-49% humidity for a few days. Then I used Tite bond and clamped the bridge back down and it looks great. When I strung it up a giraffe could walk under the strings near the 14 th fret. It is a cutaway electric. The strings are near perfect height at the nut. I clamped down the strings at the first and 14 th frets, adjusted the truss rod and the neck isnt bowed. It's just a constant increasing angle from the nut getting higher the closer you get to the bridge. I'm gonna let it sit a few more days, but I suspect I will have to lower the bridge to get the string height where it needs to be. At the 12th fret it is still way above the highest mark on the string gauge. I was sorry to hear about Robin. I have kept you and your family in our prayers. Thank you for all your help in these videos.
I enjoyed this video. Too many DIY videos I've seen do not explain that with acoustics it takes more time for wood to adjust. I check my neck brake (up or down) on mine every time I put on new strings and if I have to make an adjustment I let it set for 3 days in the room it stays in most often. Taking the time is very important in getting that instrument quality from your tuneup in as little time as possible. A little more feasibility with the electrics but as the video explains, at least a day. Stay pickin.
that explains a lot. I didn't realise the neck keeps moving for a day or so. Thanks for the tip, I have a guitar to go set up!
Thanks Scott. I had to go lefty, and I'm leaving it overnight before checking again. Good advice thanks.
Thank you for keeping a simple process simple. Very good video.
The best truss rod Video I have seen.
I'm laughing so hard. This is my 3rd video looking at truss rod videos. This is by far the best 'real talk' with the whole explanation...
Thanks cabinetmaster. It's cool to have someone teach us that it's not fearful rocket science to adjust a truss rod. Pete.
Thanks! every other video i watched over complicated how to adjust the truss rod. 2:33 is what i needed to hear.
Guitar center was going to charge me 50$ for a trus rod adjustment for my new Esp Ltd 401 You sir, have saveed me money. Thanks a bunch.
love all the new intros....Rock on,Scott...
Thank you for your excellent information Scott. I got my LP set up recently, the shop done a great job. But I noticed the action was higher, then I watched your video. I was a bit freaked cos it's my 1st Gibson Les Paul bought new, but I tried it . Now I'm leaving it for a day or 2 like you said, but already there's a big difference. As ye said, ye get the tools so ye can do things for yourself unless a guitar tech is essential.
Thanx again buddy.
Eric, Northern Ireland. 🐺
"and that's about it" straight to the point thank you
It's about time this got explained in a way even the DMF's can understand. Scott I know this is going to help a lot of people out. I'm sure you'll still get a few folks who ask what direction you turn it to tighten/loosen the truss rod. If only more people got the whole righty tighty, lefty loosey concept... Did you put that paisley pick guard on your guitar yet? It would be cool if you showed it when you do. Peace out
Quick and easy explanation, sorted my guitar in 5 minutes flat, thanks!
Great advice, done in plain understand able english, thanks , Scott.
Mike Parsons
Thank you sooo much. I was scared of adjusting the truss rod and i watched plenty of videos on the subject and they made it sound complicated. you have my sub \o/
thank u so much I'm new at playing and like setting my own stuff but been having trouble with my guitar I've watched a lot of vids but u helped me fixed it it make sense now thank u very much
Thanks Scott ! Fantastic info! That really helped me and I adjusted my acoustic it now spot on!
When I got my Yamaha LL6 here in the UK I was wondering why it didn't come with an allen wrench for the truss rod and the guy said they don't give the plastic bag with the instruction manual and the allen wrench unless the customer knows what a truss rod is and asks for it because customers have no idea how to properly use it and end up messing the action up and coming back to the store. After that he handed me the pack. He also said they just threw the packs in the bin most of the time. It didn't make sense to me. Good thing I actually knew to ask for it before I left the store.
+Norman Zealand Malana WOW, that is some under handed stuff right there huh? That's one way to cheat folks out of their money.
You said it. No wonder too many people don't know what a truss rod is.
@@groovydjs not only are they screwing out of what you pd. for, but but also insinuating that guitarists are idiots! They wouldn't see my money!
Very helpful video. 👍I'm not a good player so the guitars i end up buying 'need adjustments', usually due to painfully high fret height.
This might just allow me to fix that before shaving is required! 👍👍
coolest trust rod explained i knew how but u did good guy
I keep a setup kit in my guitar case. Allen keys for my strat, stew-mac action gauge (handy little fucker if you're a machinist and hate doing head math to convert 1/64" increments into thousandths), and radius gauges. Sometimes I might need a quick truss rod tweak just taking it out of my house to another place. Other guitars I've set up for free. I don't believe in charging for 5 minutes of adjustment. Worst one was a Dean V. Action gauge reads .145" and it was above that. Neck was bowed like it was ready for an archery competition. I'm sure the .145" after getting the neck right was from them fighting an uphill battle with a bowed neck. The rod affects action greatly. I've checked my strat and saw changes of .010" to .020" at the 12th fret just from seasonal changes. This is happening with maybe a .005" change in relief. I sure as hell didn't move the saddles. Sorry for the long diatribe, but the people discounting setting the neck relief as not setting action irritated me. It's a 3 part system in setting action. Nut slots, neck relief, and saddle height. Everything works together, but neck relief is the one that will move around depending on climate and humidity.
Thanks! Where I live the only people who do setups is Sam ash and they charge over $70.
Thanks for the knowledge transfer your the greatest for making complex things simple - Charles
Just to be sure, I want to turn my truss rod to the right to tighten (if I'm looking at it from the bridge) ?
If you are wanting the center of the neck to get closer to the strings.....yes.
Ha..best tech vid I've watched for ages - thanks man
Thank you Mr Groovy. My Guild jf30 corona was sounding a bit off and now it sings like before.
man you posted this a day too late Lol. I couldn't get anyone to tell me what you told me in this video so I gave my guitar to a guitar shop yesterday, if I knew this I'd have just bought a tool to adjust the truss rod haha. great video
My Epiphone DR-1's truss rod is left-hand thread: righty loosey and lefty tighty, no joke. The neck was horse shoe shaped, huge bow in the neck, tightening the TR made it worse, I loosened the TR and the neck is now almost flat. I'm cornfused.
Thanks for saving my guitar... Mine has a buzz on the 19th fret B string. What's your solution to that?
Put a straight edge all the way down the neck
On the frets to see if one is hi
I really need your help Scott. I have been having a great deal of
trouble with several guitar set ups that i own. I followed one of your
videos on how to set up electric guitars.One of the guitar's I'm having
trouble with is the Mick Thompson signature Its the MTM 100. It looks
similar to a B.C Rich but it is an Ibanez.
Its the bright red version and it has a very pointy and jagged edged
look to it too. I Followed your instructions from your video by
adjusting the truss rod but the E A D buzz and rattle out a lot I tried
many ways
of adjusting it with the truss rod. Like you said on your video no one
should have to pay to turn a a Allan key a few of times.
Sometimes its just the E that buzzes and rattles out usually from the
9th fret to
the 24th fret This also happens depending on on how tight I turn the
truss rod. The trouble is if I want the action to be the way really I
want it it will buzz and rattle severely.
The only way it buzzed less was was by making the action
pretty high but that is unplayable to me and no doubt many others so I
changed the action back a bit but I still don't like the string
height. Even if i tighten the truss rod even just a touch it will buzz
out and sound bad even through an amp.
I even tried changing the bridge height but it didn't solve my problem.
I have had similar issues with other guitars too when it comes to set
ups. I can't seem to see what I am meant to be looking for when
examining the neck. I thought I had it right on several attempts but the
next day it sounds just as bad if not worse.
The bridge on the Ibanez is a fixed bridge but its still an edge type
bridge and it double locks but still goes badly out of tune all the time
due to the set up I expect, the guitar isn't very old I haven't had it
long . What am I doing wrong, how do I check the neck, how do I know
what to look for.
I have tried other methods from others on UA-cam that have
demonstrated their way of doing this but that didn't work for me.Your
way made the best sense to me and I would much rather learn from you
anyways I hope you can help me. Hope to hear from you and it's great you have come back to UA-cam. Demon.
awesome video man! Thank you for taking the time to explain, you'd make a great teacher!
Is it safe to hang the guitar by the headstock right after tightening the truss rod? Or should it sit on the ground for a while until the neck straightens out?
Thanks dude, very straight to the point. I understood completely fist time.
I was scared of my truss rod and now it's my bitch. Thank you, Doctor Groovy.
Hi Scot from Canada,love your video's man. I have a question. I can't intonate my tele the E,B and G strings are all flat at the 12th fret, the bridge saddle are as close to the neck as possible and still flat.I've loosened and tightened the truss rod and still the 12th frets are flat, withe low E,A and D strings the saddle are as far away from the neck as possible and they are sharp. what do I do other than get a new guitar hahahaha.
Dude you answered my question
Simple right? Never had any problems with the Les Paul Standard but the J-100 needs adjustment. Small adjustments👍
You are dead right on this video. Good job Scott.
Doctor Groovy Man, Question: i have 2 inexpensive Yamaha Classical guitars, NO Truss rod, the strings were too high, i sanded down the bottom of the bridge 1/8 of an inch the strings Did go lower a bit but not enough, should i keep on sanding down the bottom of the bridge and see what happens? ,I do not want to go to far, if i do i will need another Bridge and start all over.. thanks , Cousin Figel
Is there any permanent damage that can occur from tightening/loosening the truss rod?
The permanent damage often happens when it isn't adjusted when it should be and the guitar neck takes a 'set' when left out of adjustment for too many years.
Tighten too much, yes!! Don't over do it.
Man, I just sliced up my Halloween pumpkins, but they were really hard to cut through. And I was using the good knives.
Dr. Groovy-
I could use some assistance setting up my Peavey Firenza. How does the truss rod at the bottom of the neck work? I've got fret buzz going on. Was going to restring with a bit heavier strings. I'm not sure how to do all of this setup work. Thanks.
Sure thing. Yeah, those wheel type are the best and easiest in the world to adjust. They should be on every guitar. You just cram anything that will fit in those holes (usually an allen wrench) when you tighten it (to the right) the middle of the neck will raise upward, loosen it an you will see the action getting further away from the frets in the middle. So, it only affects the middle of the neck. You'll want it really close to straight, but stop before it is 100% straight and if you go past the straight point....you'll know it right away because all of your strings will be laying on the frets in the middle. Adjust it while the guitar is in tune.
Think Fender warranty states defects become void if guitar is altered by unauthorised fender dealer. I asked my authorised fender dealer when i bought my strat to put 10's on and set it up, "Just put 'em on yourself it'll be fine", it wasn't fine, authorised assholes!
thats bullshit. fuck em.
Mark Hughes "Altered" means modified. Standard maintenance is not altering the guitar. By your way of looking at it, only an authorized Fender technician can tune it without voiding the warranty.
If u have ever tried to use the warranty 9 out of 10 of them are useless. They usually are no good outside of a year.
I removed the tag on my pillow case yesterday. Now I don't have warranty. I can't sleep at night anymore.
The action on that guitar in the intro was hilarious hahahah
Good lesson and easy to understand , thank you sir. .and good model design too..
Ok you answered my query right after I asked it. Amazing. My wavelength must have gotten to you quickly, because I live in Nevada, too! Elko. I can pick up songs by ear 80% of the time; I sure enjoy doing that. But your little tricks like pull-off I need to work on for sure. What's it called when you pick a string, then sort of mute it right after with the skin of your picking finger and just get the harmonic? Is there a name for that?
Pinch harmonic, some people say artificial harmonic.
Great video! Loved it! You're the coolest guy in the desert! (And anywhere!) :) Appreciated the super simple explanation! Thanks!
Thank you Scott for a well informed video,I was scared to adjust my truss rod before but after seeing your video I finally did it. I did it very slowly and it works. My guitar is so much easier to play now thanks to your help.keep up the good work. And by the way you really make me laugh with the things you come out with.
AWESOME! That's what I like to hear. Don't be scared of ANYTHING on your guitar.....it can take it. Show it who's boss. lol I'm always up for a good time and a good laugh, I'm glad you enjoy the warped sense of humor.
I have a 1 way single adjustment rod on a 1984ish roadstar ibanez. As the nut starts to untighten the neck straightens out and when the neck is perfectly straight And with strings in tune the nut adjustment is done. Any more and the nut starts to unscrew out freely. I would like to put a little concave bow in it but it runs out of adjustment. Is there anything I can do?
Scott this was sooo helpful thank you so much!
You're so welcome!
"How-you-say" Don't beat around the bush, I like that!
For years of having my guitar, I've never touched the truss rod! I totally was afraid of it around the first month of having my guitar. Soon enough I forgot about it, and have been playing with high action! (Not too serious, but my hand cramps after playing barr chords for too long, while it does not on other guitars).
I'll give it a try, of course tho i've already done other things to lower my guitars action
Good luck. Same here. If I ever achieve good action I'll freak out.
Scott tells it like it is... good job
Yes good advice thanks
As you say Mr groovy you can do it yourself
been watching your vids for an hour now...New subscriber!!! I feel like im watching Neil Young and Steve Earles love child. Keep up the awesome work!
Great video, Dr. Groovy. 100 percent facts!
Hey Scott. Thanks for the info. Should I relieve tension on the strings before truss rod adjustment?
My pleasure. Go ahead and leave the tension on the strings. There is only one time you would ever need to loosen them before adjusting the rod, but that actually is rare....it involves bending the neck while you are cramming your knee into the middle of the neck. Not a job for most folks. lol Cheers.