Truss Rod Nut

Rico · 05-31-2008, 05:42 AM

I've noticed that my D string has fret buzz, in open position. So after playing a note on every fret and not being able to find where on the neck the D string was buzzing. I then looked at the neck and decided that it could use a little more relief.

So I took the truss rod tool and made a quarter turn counter clockwise. I did this twice, which did give some relief and the buzzing kinda stopped but not enough. So when I gave it another turn, the nut just came loose. I was able to spin the nut off of the truss rod.

I've never had this happen. So I screwed it back on finger tight and made adjustments at the bridge and the buzzing has stopped somewhat, as long as I don't strum or pick really hard in open position.

But the nut coming off after 3 quarter turns, bothers me. As I've said, this has never happened before. Do I have a serious problem.???

Robster · 05-31-2008, 06:02 AM

It happens, you have a bit of a backbow. It can be easily corrected, the best way is to first, tighten the nut just a quarter turn past snug, then loosen the strings enough to fit a dowel (about 5/8"-3/4" in diameter) under the strings at about the 7th-8th fret, then retighten the strings until you've got about normal tension on the strings. Leave it that way for a day or two, then retighten the strings again (they will get looser as it sits.) Repeat this process twice more, then loosen the strings up again, remove the dowel, and tune normally. Check your relief - you should have a LOT, even with the TR only 1/4 turn tightened. Now you can tighten it up some more, hopefully you'll get at least 1/2 to 3/4 turns before you hit the 'sweet spot'. If you're lucky, you might get a full turn or maybe even 1 1/4 turns. I had the same problem not too long ago with a customer's strat, and I got a full turn of play by using this method. Some necks are more stubborn, and require a second 'go around' of this procedure, but I haven't run into one, yet, and I've worked on many, many guitars with neck problems. Good luck, let us know how it turns out.

Rob

Rico · 05-31-2008, 05:58 PM

Thanks I'll give it a try.

05-31-2008, 05:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
Rico Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Henryville, PA Posts: 627 Thanks: 21 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Truss Rod Nut I've noticed that my D string has fret buzz, in open position. So after playing a note on every fret and not being able to find where on the neck the D string was buzzing. I then looked at the neck and decided that it could use a little more relief. So I took the truss rod tool and made a quarter turn counter clockwise. I did this twice, which did give some relief and the buzzing kinda stopped but not enough. So when I gave it another turn, the nut just came loose. I was able to spin the nut off of the truss rod. I've never had this happen. So I screwed it back on finger tight and made adjustments at the bridge and the buzzing has stopped somewhat, as long as I don't strum or pick really hard in open position. But the nut coming off after 3 quarter turns, bothers me. As I've said, this has never happened before. Do I have a serious problem.??? __________________ And so Castles made of sand, slip into the sea eventually.

05-31-2008, 06:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
Robster Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Westwood Hills, KS Posts: 942 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Truss Rod Nut It happens, you have a bit of a backbow. It can be easily corrected, the best way is to first, tighten the nut just a quarter turn past snug, then loosen the strings enough to fit a dowel (about 5/8"-3/4" in diameter) under the strings at about the 7th-8th fret, then retighten the strings until you've got about normal tension on the strings. Leave it that way for a day or two, then retighten the strings again (they will get looser as it sits.) Repeat this process twice more, then loosen the strings up again, remove the dowel, and tune normally. Check your relief - you should have a LOT, even with the TR only 1/4 turn tightened. Now you can tighten it up some more, hopefully you'll get at least 1/2 to 3/4 turns before you hit the 'sweet spot'. If you're lucky, you might get a full turn or maybe even 1 1/4 turns. I had the same problem not too long ago with a customer's strat, and I got a full turn of play by using this method. Some necks are more stubborn, and require a second 'go around' of this procedure, but I haven't run into one, yet, and I've worked on many, many guitars with neck problems. Good luck, let us know how it turns out. Rob __________________ Just between us, I think it's time for us to recognize The differences we sometimes fear to show. Just between us, I think it's time for us to realize The spaces in between Leave room for you and I to grow {Neil Peart}

05-31-2008, 05:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rico Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Henryville, PA Posts: 627 Thanks: 21 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Truss Rod Nut Thanks I'll give it a try. __________________ And so Castles made of sand, slip into the sea eventually.

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