#16
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I agree with the OP. A quarter-turn of the rod can be transformative, not only to the feel but also to the sound of the instrument.
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1955 Gibson ES-125 1956 Fender Champ lap steel 1964 Guild Starfire III 1984 Rickenbacker 330 1990s Mosrite (Kurokumo) Ventures 2002/2005 Fender Japan '60s Tele [TL-62-66US] 2008 Hallmark 60 Custom 2018 Martin Custom Shop 00-18 slot-head 1963 Fender Bandmaster (blonde blackface) 1965 Ampeg Gemini I 2020 Mojotone tweed Champ kit build |
#17
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In over 45 years I’ve never adjusted a truss rod. It’s done far too much IMO.
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McCollum Grand Auditorum Euro Spruce/Brazilian PRS Hollowbody Spruce PRS SC58 Giffin Vikta Gibson Custom Shop ES 335 '59 Historic RI ‘91 Les Paul Standard ‘52 AVRI Tele - Richie Baxt build Fender American Deluxe Tele Fender Fat Strat |
#18
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I had a D-18 that I'd adjust the truss rod every spring and fall after the seasonal humidity changed. I adjusted it a touch one way and then back. It was pretty consistent.
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Waterloo WL-S, K & K mini Waterloo WL-S Deluxe, K & K mini Iris OG, 12 fret, slot head, K & K mini Follow The Yellow Brick Road |
#19
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I suppose I should have said in the OP that folks should know how to do it PROPERLY, not just go and start turning blindly. I figured that was implied, but I guess not. IMHO, this requires a straight edge of some sort and feeler gauges.
We all know a truss rod adjustment is not a substitute for a setup. But on my guitars, often times a quarter to half a turn gets me where I need to be. My general rule of thumb is if it takes more than that, it's time for a setup. |
#20
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I think every guitar player should allow for the price of a setup when they shop for a guitar. Play the guitar for the person doing the setup (I'm lucky enough to live 30 minutes from a luthier) and discuss what you'd like to feel and hear.
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Keith Martin 000-42 Marquis Taylor Classical Alvarez 12 String Gibson ES345s Fender P-Bass Gibson tenor banjo |
#21
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My dad was a mechanic (who had a pretty lucrative day job) who spent almost every weekend helping people who thought they knew what they were doing, undoing their DIY car and truck "adjustments". Sometimes he would spend several hours fixing and readjusting timing or carburetor issues, only to have the car's owner readjust them later. When the owner realized they'd put their foot in it- again, they'd return the next weekend. While he was very patient, there were people he would no longer answer the door to after a while.
There's a reason why people train years in various trades. That said, I have bought instruments that had had amateur set ups, pickup installations, and I have to say, it's frustrating to have to deal with jammed truss rods, chipped finishes on the butt of guitars where someone thought they were skilled enough to ream the endpin hole to install a jack plug, and a variety of finish issues due to someone using a hair dryer to remove a pickguard. I have seen some real travesties. |
#22
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I think everyone should know how to adjust a truss rod. However, I think it should come as a part of basic knowledge, including making a new saddle, cutting a new nut, and proper measurements down the fretboard. I leave fret leveling out since it is so infrequently needed as a maintenance item.
I will say that this is NOT rocket science, however. Go slow, learn to use the tools, and get a good book on guitar repair and setup. We all ask questions on here and get help when we need it, but anyone can learn to do it if they want to learn. (Disclaimer: Your mileage may vary. It is your choice on what you do to your guitar. If there is any doubt, consult an expert.) |
#23
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99% of the time they do need more then just a tweak though. A more important thing than, everyone would know how to adjust a truss rod, might be instead, everyone whould know why they need to adjust the truss rod. |
#24
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I agree with you, however, that adjusting a truss rod requires one to know why it needs to be adjusted. |
#25
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Back when I regularly went to guitar camps, I would see many guitars there with way too much relief and people complained about how hard they were to play by day two or three. So I often offered to adjust the truss rod for a fellow camper. That often made them happy, but I always made it clear that it was not a substitute for a proper setup (which I only do on my guitars).
Well said. |
#26
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tie your own shoes?
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#27
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My first thought I know many players that would never change their own strings Weird Man
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Martin CEO 7 Taylor big baby Guild f130r Seagull s 12 Ovation 1517 s |
#28
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I think it is important to understand the total care and maintenance that is associated with an acoustic guitar. I can't tell you how many people I have encountered that don't understand the effects of relative humidity can have on a acoustic guitar.
Now, there are some folks who live in areas where this is not so much of an issue, but others do not, the more lighter built instruments are more susceptible to these changes in R/H and understanding what these changes are will help you in preserving the life and health of your instrument. Attempting to make adjustments to a guitar that is not at the proper humidity is just asking for trouble down the road IMO I am a firm believer in having a good setup done but step one in this process is making sure the guitar is at proper humidity.
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Proud member of OFC |
#29
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I have found that some of my guitars change with the seasons. I tend to do a 1/8th adjustment in late spring early summer, and another (opposite way) in Late autumn.
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Silly Moustache, Just an old Limey acoustic guitarist, Dobrolist, mandolier and singer. I'm here to try to help and advise and I offer one to one lessons/meetings/mentoring via Zoom! |
#30
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"The Guitar Player Repair Guide" is a good place to start. Also, "The Acoustic Guitar: Adjustment, Care, Maintenance, and Repair" is another good choice. New and used copies are available through Amazon.
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Patrick 2012 Martin HD-28V 1984 Martin Shenandoah D-2832 2018 Gretsch G5420TG Oscar Schmidt Autoharp, unknown vintage ToneDexter Bugera V22 Infinium |