Truss Rod Adjustments

[GibsonSlash]

Hi, I'm new to this thing Truss Rod Adjustment.

I have some fret buzz on 2,3 (String 2) and 7 fret (String 4).
Are they fixable by turning the Trust Rod?
If it is, which way to turn? and how much?

When I see the neck from the head to tailpiece, I notice the neck a bit turned to the right, is this the right way to see if the neck is straight or not?

Any info about this will much be appreciated.

Thanks

[Jims Les Paul]

Check the action first to make sure it isn't set too low. Then you need to fret the Low E-string on the first fret with your left hand. You then take your right hand and use your pinky to fret the last fret on the Low E-string. While holding your pinky down on the last fret, stretch your index finger as much as you can to try and fret one more fret towards the 7th fret. Now look at the distance between the E-string and the fret between the 1st fret and the 7th fret. There should be a gap. If the string is touching the frets, you will need to relieve the neck by turning the truss rod counter-clockwise. A little turn will do the job!

[GibsonSlash]

Did you mean thumb or index finger?

Hmm kinda hard to imagine without seeing.

Originally Posted by Jims Les Paul

... stretch your index finger as much as you can to try and fret one more fret towards the 7th fret. Now look at the distance between the E-string and the fret between the 1st fret and the 7th fret. There should be a gap. If the string is touching the frets, you will need to relieve the neck by turning the truss rod counter-clockwise. A little turn will do the job!

[LJGriggs]

Try this...

Tip File: Basic Guitar Setup

[dwagar]

have a look here
FRETS.COM

and have a look at the Gibson standard set up. (goto issue #2)
Gibson Backstage Pass August 2006

[GibsonSlash]

Thanks, this is much easier to visualize.

Originally Posted by dwagar

have a look here
FRETS.COM

and have a look at the Gibson standard set up. (goto issue #2)
Gibson Backstage Pass August 2006

[Jims Les Paul]

Originally Posted by GibsonSlash

Did you mean thumb or index finger?

Hmm kinda hard to imagine without seeing.

Sorry, I meant thumb!

[GibsonSlash]

I notice only Low Frets that buzz (from 2 to 7), so should I turn it counter-clockwise?
and how much when you say a bit of turn?

P.S: I already did the intonation setup, should I do another intonation setup after turning the truss rod?

[Jims Les Paul]

That's the problem I had but they buzzed only when I fretted the upper frets past the 14th. If I "hammered" with my left hand on a fret passed the 14th, I would hear a buzz that was caused by the lower frets. There was not enough "neck relief" so I turned the truss rod screw approx 1/8 of a turn in the counter clockwise direction. Now it's perfect! It's an easy fix.

What's your action like? You should measure with a good metal ruler at the 12th fret. Mine measures 2mm at the high E and 2.5 mm at the low E.

[dwagar]

do the string test to see how your relief is now. Don't change the truss rod unless it needs it.
To add a bit of relief, yes, counter clockwise, as Jims Les Paul said, just give it about 1/8 of a turn, carefully.
Then tune back to pitch, leave it settle for about a day.
Adjust the bridge height and intonation, you should be good to go.

[LoKi]

If your guitar buzzes under the first 6 frets, 9 times outta 10 its your nut that is the problem.

Go easy on the truss rod! It's not to be taken lightly!

Good luck my friend!

[lineboss58]

I have just taken some guitars out of storage and played them for the first time this year, i noticed all the necks are ruler straight all relief on the necks has vanished. Has anyone else ever had this happen to them?

[GibsonSlash]

Hi, I did manage to make all buzzes disappear, but my question is at one point, I counter-clockwised the truss rod, until it feels loose (no more pressure).
Did I damage the neck?
How will you damage it, too much counter-clockwise like I did or too much clockwise until it backbow too much?

I can't get the recommended height:
12th fret- treble side - 3/64"
12th fret - bass side - 5/64"

This is what I get:
12th fret- treble side - 1.75mm
12th fret - bass side - 2.5mm

If I lower the saddle down, it start buzzing from fret 7, can't get lower that what I've got.

[GibsonSlash]

Just found out only 2B string from fret 7 to fret 22 buzzes, what should I do?

[dwagar]

loosening generally won't damage it, but if you don't know what you're doing and overtighten it, you could break the truss rod.

if that happens, you've got one heck of repair bill on your hands.

[Rico]

Check this link out for ESP guitars, the info is valid for all guitars.

http://www.espguitars.com/ESP_Owners_Manual.pdf

CONTENTS:
GUITAR ANATOMY 2
GENERAL MAINTENANCE 2-3
TUNING YOUR GUITAR 3
STRINGS & TUNING MACHINES 3-5
NECK & TRUSS ROD 5-6
STRING ACTION 6
INTONATION 7
PICKUP ADJUSTMENT 7-8
CONTROLS & ELECTRONICS 8-10
GUITAR BRIDGES 10-12
CHANGING STRINGS (Floyd Rose® Double-Locking Tremolo) 12-14
BASS BRIDGES 14
WARRANTY INFORMATION 15-16
WARRANTY REGISTRATION CARD 17

[Jims Les Paul]

You can't damage the neck by turning the truss rod counterclockwise. However the opposite is not true. You can break the truss rod if you over-tighten it (clockwise). Even so, this would take a lot of effort to do.

I like my action a little higher but I can get 1.5 mm on high E and 2 mm on the low E without any fret buzz.

How was the action when you received the guitar? Was it higher and then you lowered it yourself?

I wouldn't worry about it to much. You may want to bring it to L&M for their free setup service. Owners of new guitars have 1 year from date of purchase to get a complete setup free of charge!

[GibsonSlash]

When I got it the saddle thumbwheel on the treble side is turned clockwised until the end (lowest action).

Now, it's a bit higher, but only string 2B has buzz, weird!
Even if I unfret it, it still buzz, worse starts from fret 7, it sounds like the buzz comes from before the freted area.

How can you get 1.5mm on high E without buzz? will you turn the saddle thumbwheel to the most clockwise?

[GibsonSlash]

To change the bridge height, did you mean the saddle height?
I have to turn the thumbwheel either on the high E side or low E side?

I did turn those using my thumb, but ended up mine got swollen and hurt. Dam!
What tool do you use to turn those wheels?

Originally Posted by dwagar

Adjust the bridge height and intonation, you should be good to go.

[GibsonSlash]

Thanks Bro!

Originally Posted by Rico

Check this link out for ESP guitars, the info is valid for all guitars.

http://www.espguitars.com/ESP_Owners_Manual.pdf

CONTENTS:
GUITAR ANATOMY 2
GENERAL MAINTENANCE 2-3
TUNING YOUR GUITAR 3
STRINGS & TUNING MACHINES 3-5
NECK & TRUSS ROD 5-6
STRING ACTION 6
INTONATION 7
PICKUP ADJUSTMENT 7-8
CONTROLS & ELECTRONICS 8-10
GUITAR BRIDGES 10-12
CHANGING STRINGS (Floyd Rose® Double-Locking Tremolo) 12-14
BASS BRIDGES 14
WARRANTY INFORMATION 15-16
WARRANTY REGISTRATION CARD 17

[Jims Les Paul]

The thumb wheels on the bridge can really hurt sometimes! I like to use a polishing cloth between my thumb and finger to minimize the pain in moving the wheels! It's easier if you unwind the strings to take the tension off the bridge. Do not use a tool to move them because you might damage the guitar's finish or strip the wheels. Clockwise will lower the bridge and counter clockwise will raise it. You will need to adjust both sides for optimum string height.

[Belzeebub]

Maybe its just me, but stuff like this, i would immediately consult a guitar doc.

[Jims Les Paul]

Here are some pix of my setup.

[GibsonSlash]

hey jim, until now I can't even tell whether the neck is bow or backbow, I follwed your insturction after fretting the low e string, but how do you tell which way it bows?

are you in toronto?

[dwagar]

Make sure you are in tune, then hold the low E string on the first fret, and about the 15th fret.

how much, if any, gap is between the 7th fret and the string?

[Jims Les Paul]

After fretting the first, last and 7th, there should be a small gap between the first fret and the seventh. If the gap is present and the action appropriate and you still have buzzing, the nut may be suspect.
To check the nut, fret the third all strings and check to see if you have a small gap between the strings and the first fret.
I'm located in Woodbridge, ON.

[GibsonSlash]

The gap is there, very tiny hairline gap.
That String 2B fret 7, buzz appears if I pick downward, it doesn't buzz when I pick upward, weird!

Originally Posted by dwagar

Make sure you are in tune, then hold the low E string on the first fret, and about the 15th fret.

how much, if any, gap is between the 7th fret and the string?

[GibsonSlash]

All strings but 2B and 1 E have gaps on the first fret.
There's no gap on the first fret for string 2B and high 1E, but I don't get buzz on string 1E.

Originally Posted by Jims Les Paul

To check the nut, fret the third all strings and check to see if you have a small gap between the strings and the first fret.
I'm located in Woodbridge, ON.

[dwagar]

if it's a hairline, you might want to add just a bit of relief, I mean just 1/8 of a turn counter clockwise (loosening) the truss rod.

Retune it, give the neck a day to settle in.
Check it again.
Don't overdo it.

Once your relief is set, then look to the bridge. You might want to raise it a hair.

If you're picking hard on the downstroke, you're probably always going to get some buzz. The harder you pick, the larger the arc the sting is going to make vibrating.

[Fuelish]

Originally Posted by dwagar

if it's a hairline, you might want to add just a bit of relief, I mean just 1/8 of a turn clockwise (tightening) the truss rod.

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