WARNING: It is imperative that you ensure that adjusting the Truss Rod is absolutely necessary. Making adjustments to the Truss Rod when it is not needed can cause permanent damage to the guitar, especially if the adjustments are not made correctly!
Periodically, you will need to adjust the Truss Rod of your guitar (See Main Parts of the Guitar). This article will show you how to adjust the Truss Rod for an Electric Guitar and Acoustic Guitars that have a Truss Rod.
Making adjustments to the Truss Rod should only be done if the neck has an excessive bow forward or backward. To determine if and which way the Truss Rod should be adjusted, you should look down the neck lengthwise. Looking from the headstock toward the body of the guitar you will be able to see exactly what adjustments need to be made.
All guitar necks, electric and acoustic, should have a slight forward bow. This minimizes string noise while still making the guitar easy to play.The bow should be even the entire length of the neck.
Electric Guitars
01Locate the Truss Rod adjustment Nut. On Electric Guitars, this is usually found on the headstock. It may be covered.
02Determine the tool you will need to make the adjustment. Most of the time all you will need is an Allen Wrench. Almost all guitars are sold with a tool for making truss rod adjustments.
03Make a couple small adjustments, normally about 1/4 turn, then look down the neck of the guitar again to determine if this is the direction you want to move the bow.
Acoustic Guitars
01Locate the Truss Rod adjustment Nut. On Acoustic Guitars, this is sometimes found on the headstock of newer guitars. On older Acoustic Guitars, or traditionally constructed Acoustic Guitars, the Truss Rod is normally at the base of the neck inside the soundhole.
02Determine the tool you will need to make the adjustment. Most of the time all you will need is an Allen Wrench. Almost all guitars are sold with a tool for making truss rod adjustments.
03Make a couple small adjustments, normally about 1/4 turn, then look down the neck of the guitar again to determine if this is the direction you want to move the bow.
