
THE TRUSS ROD
CHECKING THE TRUSS ROD LEVEL
Fig.4
After
Before Fig.3
Fig.1
By the sound hole
Approximates the
string to the fingerboard
Move away the
string to the fingerboard
Above the instrument nut
Fig.2
ADJUSTING THE TRUSS ROD
Your instrument is equipped with an adjustable truss rod. It is used to adjust
the neck curvature and the distance between the strings and the fingerboard.
Adjusting the neck should be taken when the distance of the strings until the
fingerboard is causing playability discomfort, by standing too close or too
far from the fingerboard. Depending on the instrument the access to the
truss rod can be done in two ways:
- In the case of the tensor with access from the sound hole of the
instrument, first loosen the 3th and 4th strings and move them
(see Figure 1). In the case of the acess above the instrument nut is
not necessary to loosen the strings.
- Insert the hex key that came with the instrument on the truss rod nut.
(see Fig.1 and Fig.2)
- Turn the key (1/4 turn) in the direction you need to move the neck and
check the result, because this movement usually changes enough the
settings to aproximate or move away the strings from the fingerboard.
If it is necessary, you can make more 1/4 turns until your playability
be ok.
Press the 6th string in the 1st fret and 13th fret and make sure the
strings are close to all the frets (fig.4). If not (Fig. 3) tighten the truss rod
until eliminate this difference. When the strings get very close to all the
frets the neck is aligned
*** IMPORTANT ***
A bad truss rod regulation can seriously damage the neck of the
instrument, resulting in the warranty loss. Ideally, this procedure
must be done by professionals with experience in this type of setting.
Move away the
string to the fingerboard
Move away the
string to the fingerboard
Approximates the
string to the fingerboard