Difficulty
Easy
Steps
7
Time Required
1 hour
Sections
1
- How to Adjust the Truss Rod on an Acoustic Guitar
- 7 steps
Flags
Missing Details
Some of this guide’s details are missing. Help users by adding tools, difficulty, or time.
BackMusical Instrument
Full Screen
Options
History
Save to Favorites
Download PDF
Edit
Translate
Get Shareable Link
Embed This Guide
Notify Me of Changes
Stop Notifications
Introduction
What you need
Step 1
How to Adjust the Truss Rod on an Acoustic Guitar
- Unwind and remove the strings
- Turn the tuning pegs to release tension in the strings, and then pull the strings away, detaching them from the headstock
Unwind and remove the strings
Turn the tuning pegs to release tension in the strings, and then pull the strings away, detaching them from the headstock
1024
Step 2
- Remove the truss rod cover with the necessary tool (depending on your guitar).
- A Phillips 0 screwdriver is used here to unscrew the 2 x 1/4" Small Phillips guitar screws from the truss rod cover.
- There are three screws holding the truss rod cover in place.
Remove the truss rod cover with the necessary tool (depending on your guitar).
A Phillips 0 screwdriver is used here to unscrew the 2 x 1/4" Small Phillips guitar screws from the truss rod cover.
There are three screws holding the truss rod cover in place.
Step 3
- Use the Allen Wrench to adjust the truss rod according to the warp of the neck.
- For a forward or “U-shaped” bow, turn the truss rod counterclockwise. For a backward bow adjustment, adjust the truss rod clockwise.
- A “U-shaped” bow is too tight; it has extra space toward the center of the neck, and bows outward and toward the strings. A backward bow is too loose; it arches inward and away from the strings.
Use the Allen Wrench to adjust the truss rod according to the warp of the neck.
For a forward or “U-shaped” bow, turn the truss rod counterclockwise. For a backward bow adjustment, adjust the truss rod clockwise.
A “U-shaped” bow is too tight; it has extra space toward the center of the neck, and bows outward and toward the strings. A backward bow is too loose; it arches inward and away from the strings.
Step 4
- Re-string the guitar by reattatching them to the headstock.
- Turn the tuning pegs to bring the strings back to tension.
- At the same time, adjust the bridge evenly with the neck ( if it is not already glued into the saddle) by moving it with your hand.
Re-string the guitar by reattatching them to the headstock.
Turn the tuning pegs to bring the strings back to tension.
At the same time, adjust the bridge evenly with the neck ( if it is not already glued into the saddle) by moving it with your hand.
Step 5
- Using your eyes or a metal ruler, check the distance from the strings to the frets on the neck.
- You can use a metal ruler to measure out approximately 2.5 mm for an acoustic guitar, depending on your preference.
Using your eyes or a metal ruler, check the distance from the strings to the frets on the neck.
You can use a metal ruler to measure out approximately 2.5 mm for an acoustic guitar, depending on your preference.
Step 6
- Using the Allen Wrench, make any final adjustments to the truss while the strings are at tension.
- You may use a tuner to help adjust the strings to the desired tension
Using the Allen Wrench, make any final adjustments to the truss while the strings are at tension.
You may use a tuner to help adjust the strings to the desired tension
Step 7
- Replace the truss rod cover.
- Re-tune the guitar.
Replace the truss rod cover.
Re-tune the guitar.
Reattach the truss rod cover to the headstock of your guitar using the 2 x 1/4 “ Phillips screws and Phillips 0 screwdriver.
Cancel: I did not complete this guide.
One other person completed this guide.
Author
with 1 other contributor
Taryn Wilson
Member since: 10/07/2019
172 Reputation
1 Guide authored
Badges:
3
Team
Eastern Washington University, Team S27-G20, Munoz Fall 2019
Member of Eastern Washington University, Team S27-G20, Munoz Fall 2019
EWU-MUNOZ-F19S27G20
1 Member
1 Guide authored