The Acoustic Guitar Forum - The right trussrod adjustment tool

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The right trussrod adjustment tool

My new Martin GPCPA3 (Grand Performance Cutaway Performing Artist) continues to really impress me. Plugged or unplugged it was/is the perfect acoustic guitar for me :). The Fishman F1 Aura still needs some taming with some feedback resonances stablized.
On New Year's Eve, my singer and I skyped family members and performed a few tunes unplugged ... perfect balance for a large room ... not too boomy, very clear and superb voice (both the singer and the guitar).

Anyway, thought I'd share some tec-pics .. I need to adjust the neck relief (after 2 weeks or so climatization) .. about 1/8 CW twist to lower the relief (straighten the neck). The Stew-Mac 4.5" reach 5mm wrench was the perfect tool, good grip:

http://www.jensign.com/martin/trussrod2.jpg

Wow, the hex socket for the truss rod is way up there (~ 4" or 10 cm) so for newer Martins, a long-reach 4.5" 5mm hex key is needed.
For reference, since folks have problems with orientation (CW versus CCW etc.), here is another pic:

http://www.jensign.com/martin/trussrod1.jpg

LOWERING the relief (straightening the neck, if the relief is initially TOO much) means turning the displayed handle clock-wise, sighting from the sound-hole up to the headstock.

Hi n-77…
Thanks for posting this. It's a good reminder. I've been meaning to add one to my repair kit (I do setups and minor adjustments for students & friends).

Before forum-ites jump on us, the truss rod is there and adjustable for a reason.

It is not the only means to adjust your action, but after a proper action setup is accomplished, going into and coming out winter the neck relief is the largest source of guitars getting out of adjustment in our region.

Also, it is an integral part of doing proper setups.

Loved the pictures as well.

yup ... and note that I didn't mention the word "action" at all in my post. The truss rod "relief" adjustment has only a slight, but noticeable effect on action. The best discussion I've seen of this and all other guitar repair/maintenance is in the superb book "Complete Guitar Repair", Hideo Kamimoto 1975 Oak Publications p 63.

Martin will send you a free truss rod wrench if you e-mail them and ask nicely.

(that's how I got mine)