how tight is the trussrod supposed to be??

FloridaNative · #1 07-14-2007, 01:15 AM

I've never adjusted one myself before and I am trying to turn it but it seems stuck. How hard are these things supposed to be to turn? I didn't want to put all my strength to it without asking you all first. Thanks to all who reply.

Salamander In The Sun · #2 07-14-2007, 01:21 AM

If it seems stuck, don't force it.

It could also be that the rod has been turned to it's limit, but I highly doubt that's the case.

A truss rod will usually give you a good bit of resistance, but it shouldn't be difficult to turn.

When in doubt about something like this, take it to a qualified tech.

FloridaNative · #3 07-14-2007, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salamander In The Sun

If it seems stuck, don't force it.

It could also be that the rod has been turned to it's limit, but I highly doubt that's the case.

A truss rod will usually give you a good bit of resistance, but it shouldn't be difficult to turn.

When in doubt about something like this, take it to a qualified tech.

Well, in all fairness the guitar is probably 30 years old! lol It really has no value beyond sentimentality (my first electric guitar) and I'm sure a tech would laugh if I brought it in, so I read through Rich's tech section and gave it a go, but man that thing is hard to turn! It's so old I figure that's why it's stuck, but I would hate to give it too much force and strip the thing.

Rich · #4 07-14-2007, 01:33 AM

Make sure you habe the correct tool and that tool fits snug so you dont round anything off. Loosen it first just to make sure it can move. Taking all the tension off the strings will take stress off the rod, just in case.

FloridaNative · #5 07-14-2007, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

Make sure you habe the correct tool and that tool fits snug so you dont round anything off. Loosen it first just to make sure it can move. Taking all the tension off the strings will take stress off the rod, just in case.

Thanks Rich. I'm actually trying to loosen it. The last few times that I've played it I was experiencing buzzing on the upper frets on some of the strings, but when I just played it again, all the strings are buzzing on the upper frets. So I have to loosen it some, no?

Salamander In The Sun · #6 07-14-2007, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FloridaNative

Well, in all fairness the guitar is probably 30 years old! lol It really has no value beyond sentimentality (my first electric guitar) and I'm sure a tech would laugh if I brought it in, so I read through Rich's tech section and gave it a go, but man that thing is hard to turn! It's so old I figure that's why it's stuck, but I would hate to give it too much force and strip the thing.

That might explain it! Have you ever had the rod adjusted in the 30 years you've had it? It might have seized up, or it could have been cross threaded.

What is the nut on the end of the truss rod made of?

FloridaNative · #7 07-14-2007, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salamander In The Sun

That might explain it! Have you ever had the rod adjusted in the 30 years you've had it? It might have seized up, or it could have been cross threaded.

What is the nut on the end of the truss rod made of?

I have no idea. It is a 1970's Sekova LP copy and there is like zero information on it anywhere on the net. I tried to find out anything about it with no luck. Oh and no, I never did anything to it in all the years I've had it. I know! I know! It's shameful!

I had no clues whatsoever about doing anything to a guitar other than changing the strings until Dee showed me this website.

Rich · #8 07-14-2007, 01:42 AM

If you mean upper frets like 21/22 etc then the truss rod really isn't affecting anything but action up there.

Go back and read the truss rod and action pages.

You loosen it because you're trying to find out if it'll move at all, at that puts much less stress on the threads/nut/rod than trying to tighten.

FloridaNative · #9 07-14-2007, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

If you mean upper frets like 21/22 etc then the truss rod really isn't affecting anything but action up there.

Go back and read the truss rod and action pages.

You loosen it because you're trying to find out if it'll move at all, at that puts much less stress on the threads/nut/rod than trying to tighten.

Sorry, I meant the upper frets as in the lower numbers. lol Like 1-10 Ay, I'm such a retard! hehehehe Sorry for my appalling ignorance. I'm a cellist really and cellos don't have frets. lol

LuredMaul · #10 07-14-2007, 01:47 AM

loosen the nut until it comes OFF the truss rod; put a dap of vaseline on the threads and then tighten the nut until you feel it come in contact with the end block (the point where the truss rod comes into play) you can mark it with a sharpie for top dead center later if you want to but at this point adjust it until you feel the neck is where it should be ( if possible) then go back to the zero point and mark it for sure then readjust and retune everything. Check it again in afew days as the neck sometimes will keep moving whether you want it too or not.

Rich · #11 07-14-2007, 01:48 AM

The "lower" frets, yes, loosen.

FloridaNative · #12 07-14-2007, 01:49 AM

Thank you all so much for your help and advice and for not booing me off of Jemsite for my ignorance.

FloridaNative · #13 07-14-2007, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

The "lower" frets, yes, loosen.

Thanks.

LuredMaul · #14 07-14-2007, 01:52 AM

If your neck has been adjusted with back bow for a long time it may also have come to rest back bowed...... At this point take it to a repairman as he should know how to fix it if it hasn't twisted

FloridaNative · #15 07-14-2007, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuredMaul

If your neck has been adjusted with back bow for a long time it may also have come to rest back bowed...... At this point take it to a repairman as he should know how to fix it if it hasn't twisted

Actually to me the neck looks straight. I tried looking at the 9th fret and couldn't see any bowing.