Truss Rod Torque

[VBK-Shredder]

I have read quite a few guides on the internet on how to adjust the truss rod. I am not new to this and I have adjusted my guitars over the years with no problems. I understand the principles of how it works but one thing I am looking for (and which I have not yet seen) is a torque limit.

When working in engineering nuts and bolts have a torque setting, this is a guide as to how tight to tighten them usually for a specific task but on occasion you will see a maximum torque given.

I am trying to find out what the maximum torque is for the truss rod nut in an Ibanez Jem 6 string. A rough guide would be helpful.

My reason for asking is although I can set up my own guitars I often want to try it a little tighter but I am terrified of snapping the rod particularly as on a purely visual inspection, it appears to be low quality steel, so I stop well before the optimum tightness for my personal taste.

If no torque is known can someone who knows just give me an idea please ?

This is where I am at just now. I slackened the strings, removed the truss rod nut, greased the threads, tightened the nut up to the washer then just nipped it flush (finger tight). Then after re-tensioning and de-tensioning the strings as I progressed I have probably made one half (0.5) of a complete nut turn since meeting flush with the washer. Is this too tight ? It feels easy to turn with the wrench but I appreciate there is a lot of leverage with that handle and the threads on the truss rod are quite course.

As far as I could see, I think I have quite a good neck as there isn’t too much bow when the truss rod is slackened right off with no string tension. I don’t think I am forcing things but I would feel much more comfortable if I knew how far I could go before causing any damage.

Thanks.

[moonlight]

I don't understand about re-tensioning and de-tensioning the strings bit anyway, I don't think there is a torque spec for this. The way I look at it is that if minor adjustments to the truss rod aren't making noticeable changes to the neck there is something wrong. If you have to tighten the truss rod to the point of possibly breaking it and it still isn't correcting the action something is really screwed up with the neck.

[VBK-Shredder]

Hi Moonlight

The de- and re- tensioning the strings bit is when I make the adjustments I slacken the strings so they are not pulling on the truss rod when I tighten it. This can be as simple as pushing the whammy bar down as I adjust.

I am surprised there is no known torque setting as most blueprints for pretty much anything usually includes these details but I have yet to find any.

My guitar is set up pretty much spot on with this half turn after meeting flush with the washer but subsequent (very minor) adjustments seem to make little or no difference. However I am not turning it much beyond this half to ¾ point out of fear !

I have noticed that I am getting some positive relief around 2 – 12 fret. (the part where I believe the truss rod affects most). I have made an additional quarter turn to no effect on this area and I was wondering just how much further to go.

If there is no known torque setting for a truss rod on a Jem could someone who repairs these guitars perhaps let me know how many turns after meeting flush with the washer are safe ?

I may be being a bit of a big girl about this but I am scared to death of snapping a rod. I wish Ibanez used a thicker and stronger one !! Perhaps a nylon nut would be a good idea as that would strip before being able to get too tight.

Thanks.

[Rich]

Stop being such a girl. The rod is steel, the nut is brass.

There is no torque setting, or number of turns. Every neck will adjust different, and must be adjusted until it has the amount of relief, or not, that you desire.

[VBK-Shredder]

Ha ha

Well, I reached down and discovered I do actually have a pair, although small, they appear to be perfectly formed and in full working order.

Understanding that today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground I took a deep breath and went for it. I made another quarter turn which made little apparent difference to the relief.

Realising my membership of the “man club” was about to be revoked I stood looking down into the precipice of girly-ness. The thought of having to give up looking at boobs, drinking beer, belching, eating curry and playing metal guitar was too much to take. If I failed now I would tumble into that crevasse and be condemned to a lifetime of talking about shopping, shoes and putting the toilet seat down.

I summoned the entirety of my testicular fortitude and I gripped the truss rod wrench like a crack whore grips an eight-ball wrap. Sweating like a fat man in a sauna I made another quarter turn. To my relief (not my guitars) it worked….phew.

I appreciate many will see this event as pole-vaulting over a mouse-turd, but it was a defining moment for me. So, not only does my guitar play better but I can look directly at my guitar and ask “Who’s the Daddy now” knowing full well what the answer is.

Thanks.