Truss Rod Adjustments

[dwagar]

good lord, you're right. I don't know what the hell I was thinking. 'Haps a bit more sleep is in order. Thanks man, I fixed the post.

You want to back it OFF 1/8 of a turn, let it sit for about a day.

[GibsonSlash]

Thanks for the correction, how far is 1/8 of a turn?
If I put the trust rod tool from the low E (touches the low E string), turned counter clockwise to high E until the tool touches the high E string, is that call 1 full turn or 1/4 turn?

How far can you turn (clockwise or counter-clockwise) when you got it brand new from the store?

[dwagar]

take a pencil, mark the nut at the top. If you consider that 12:00, turn it back to about 1/2 way between 10:00 and 11:00, so not very much. You don't want to be adjusting the truss rod much. Small adjustments can make a big difference, especially for playability.

Then tune to pitch, and leave it sit for about a day to settle. (I don't mean don't play it, I mean don't touch the truss rod for about a day)

On mine, I look for somewhere around .007 to .010 relief. Some guys like a bit more, some like less. A cheap gauge to use is an old high E string. I don't actually 'measure' mine, I just eyeball with a tap test (holding the low E on the first fret with the left hand, right hand pinky on 15 or 17th fret, use the right hand thumb to tap on the 7th or 9th fret, see how the clearance is)

[GibsonSlash]

Now, that's the measurement what mine has, thanks!

I'm thinking when people wanna get the lowest action possible on their LP, do they start by turning the thumbwheels on the saddle to the lowest first (most clockwised), then do the truss rod? or how are the steps in getting the lowest action?

I'm thinking of getting:
12th Fret High E: 1mm
12th Fret Low E: 1.5mm

Originally Posted by dwagar

On mine, I look for somewhere around .007 to .010 relief. Some guys like a bit more, some like less.

[dwagar]

I set the truss rod as a separate item first. Only when it needs it, eg, on a string size change, humidity change, etc.

Then I look to the bridge to set the action.

IMO though, I never set to the lowest possible action. Even though you can, I feel you sacrifice some tone and playability going too low.

[GibsonSlash]

Umm, what do you mean some tone were sacrificed?

Originally Posted by dwagar

Even though you can, I feel you sacrifice some tone and playability going too low.

[dwagar]

while this may not be the proper way to set up a Les Paul, this is how I do it.

I set up with a reasonably low action, bit more clearance on the bass side than the treble side, then I check every note on the high registers. (I rarely dig in higher than the 19th fret). I want every note to ring true with good sustain, maybe nice overtones. If I think any note isn't giving me it's best, I'll raise the bridge just a hair till it rings the way I want.

I always do this acoustically btw. An amp, and especially gain, will cover up what you may have missed. And I gave up measuring long ago. Feel and tone will tell you when you are close enough for rock n roll.

[eddie_bowers]

As I have matured as a player (and a person for that matter) my action has nudged higher and higher. Low action prevents the strings from vibrating freely and chokes the tone. What action is appropriate for you all depends on how you play. If you have a very light touch you can get away with lower action, but with higher action you can play soft and hard.

-Eddie

[docadillac]

I make it a point of setting the truss rod first then the action with as dwager states a little more clearance on the bass side. I measure clearance at the 12th fret to be 3/32 of an inch and 2/32 or 1/16th on the treble or high e side. I have gotten pretty good action and note sustain at those points, although you can make further adjustments to your playing taste. I also make no more than 1/8 of a turn on the truss rod at a time and then let it "set" for a few days before any more tweaking.

[lineboss58]

Originally Posted by Fuelish

Hold on ...... "adding relief" is accomplished by loosening the truss rod, which is accomplished by turning counter-clockwise, or so I thought - I'm lucky in that my relief and action are just fine on my guitar so far

You are quite right on your truss rod suggestions, it seems that people have overlooked something. Truss rods will not remove a twist in the neck that requires more drastic action.

[GibsonSlash]

Thanks all to you guys for the info that have given me more understanding of the adjustment now.
Now I have a meeting with that f***in' Axl Rose!! Arrgh!!

Cheers.
GS