Can You REALLY Adjust Your Truss Rod Without “BREAKING YOUR GUITAR?”

It seems like every guitar player has been told, "Don't touch your truss rod... you'll break your guitar!" But in this video Dan shows you a safe method for adjusting a truss rod, in even the most difficult neck.
Check it out. We hope you like it.
0:00 You CAN adjust your own truss rod
0:49 Overview of neck positions
2:25 Adjustment demo #1
7:28 Checking the action after adjustment
8:39 The "buddy method"
8:56 Different tools needed for different guitars
9:45 Single action vs. double action truss rods
10:46 Adjustment demo #2
12:01 Checking the action after adjustment
Items used in this video include:
Precision Notched Straightedge
www.stewmac.com/item/3814
String Action Gauge
www.stewmac.com/item/0670
Neck Caul
www.stewmac.com/item/4269
Hex Truss Rod Wrenches
www.stewmac.com/item/6101
Allen Truss Rod Wrenches
www.stewmac.com/item/6113
Soundhole Truss Rod Wrenches
www.stewmac.com/item/6161
Truss Rod Wrench for Fender
www.stewmac.com/item/6111
Pocket Truss Rod Wrenches
www.stewmac.com/item/6157
Truss Rod Crank for Tele
www.stewmac.com/item/6138
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StewMac has everything you need to repair, build or maintain your guitars.
Everything we sell is backed by our Lifetime Promise, and we offer fast worldwide shipping.
Shop StewMac: www.stewmac.com
Instagram: @StewMac_Guitar
Facebook: / stewmac

[@stewmac]

Dan often refers to this method as his "#1 trick" for truss rod adjustments 🙂

[@flashy5150]

Have you ever worked on a “Chibson - Chinese fake Les Paul” ? If so, what was your experience . I saw a luthier on the net that had a guy bring one in because the owner ended up separating the fretboard from the neck, trying to adjust the truss rod. The luthier said it wouldn’t be worth repairing it because it would cost more than the guitar is worth. So he and the owner decided to tear it apart and see what the problem was with the truss rod. The luthier found that the truss rod was actually welded in one piece and was non-adjustable right from the start and that’s why the owner broke the neck trying to turn it. I was just interested to hear if you’ve ever ran into one of these at your shop ? I got suckered into buying two of them, there is some buzz but I have to raise the bridge and/or put something under the A & low E strings to make it play better. I always enjoy your videos and I own a bunch of you tools. They work 👍

[@jsullivan2112]

@@flashy5150 One came into a shop my brother used to work at for a set-up one time. But unlike yours, he said this one was an extremely well built counterfeit-everything worked and played just as good as the real thing, including the truss rod. He was shocked. I guess things coming out of China really are a crap-shoot.

[@earanwe]

@@haikuomusic It seems so. Theres also another vid explaining why it probably doesnt work (th one of the fender mustang. Good Luck!!!

[@Bob-of-Zoid]

@@jsullivan2112 Often good counterfeits are made in the US or Europe, not china. Slashes "Famous black Les Paul" was not made by Gibson, and actually better than a Gibson.

[@jsullivan2112]

@@Bob-of-Zoid I don’t think you have any idea where this particular guitar I’m referring to came from. You didn’t see it,

[@JoshL117]

Dan is the Bob Ross of luthiers. Could watch him work and explain things all day.

[@jimmer1047]

#Me too! Lol. That's funny as hell to me because I feel exactly the same and said as much. Check out "twoodfrd" channel. He's another Bob Ross luthier. I don't play or work on guitars but love watching these cats.

[@baabaabaa2293]

Yes mate Twoford is good..lm about to fix a broken headstock.. it's an Epi LP Custom, to take it to a luthier wd be more than its worth.

[@lucistired]

Took the words right out of my mouth!

[@jimmer1047]

@@baabaabaa2293 well.......I hope you video the job and post it so I can watch!! Lol. You never know!

[@zlatkodraskovic5532]

What a legend, great personality and a great video , aive learned a lot and got entertained in the process! Thank you 🙏🏽🇦🇺

[@finnmacdiarmid3250]

This fully explains guitar action, demonstrates it, and stresses the importance of getting it right, far better than any other KZbin video in existence. Thank you for your service.

[@jakesMisc]

The misconception though is that truss rods fix action. Truss rods are only to set the proper amount of relief for the target action to want to achieve. Higher action=slightly more relief while the lower the action, the straighter the neck. Neck relief first, then in a perfect world nut or bridge can be next. Nut slots are also pretty non-negotiable, they're either right, or wrong

[@Trog]

Some great tricks! Thanks

[@stewmac]

Thanks Austin!

[@allboutthemojo]

@@stewmac on an acoustic guitar if the neck is straight but the action in the middle frets approximately 9 through the last fret is too high, doesn't that mean the bridge is too high? Shaving down the bridge saddle to perfectly level is the solution?

[@musicauthority7828]

Hey Austin it's great to see you get your advice from Dan Erlewine. he's probably the best there is. you can't go wrong with him. I have learned a lot from him.

[@MrDream-zm1pw]

WEEEEELLLLCOOMMEEE BACKK TROGLODITES!!

[@marcreno893]

Fancy seeing you here Austin

[@blairgilligan3649]

Dan is an absolute treasure for guitars and guitarists! Love watching and listening to him at work.

[@ramencurry6672]

He must be protected at all costs

[@killthebuddha5034]

​@@ramencurry6672ur so lame

[@ungamybunga]

Dan, you make repair and maintenance so easy, bless you 🖤

[@wolfmcmaster7160]

I've found Dans videos to be by far the most clear and informative on the internet, thanks so much Dan, you're the man!

[@ericthompson3383]

Love the tips Dan! You explain everything you do about guitars awesomely! 🤣 you have saved me so much repair money through the years!

[@omkarvinchure7320]

Discovered this channel as I was looking up guitar set up and maintenance videos on KZbin. These guys are so good and explain everything so easily! Good job! Plus, Dan is such a sweet and humble guy!

[@bretolson8484]

Thanks for decades of sharing your experience and innovation. I’m so glad to have started my day with this tutorial, ‘even learned a couple things, and happy to hear you play! You’re an inspiration 🙏

[@TheBinaryWolf]

So nice to hear experience verbalized. Dan always exudes competence. A real delight. I'm grateful. I would love to see him take on the challenge of performing a neck reset on a classical guitar.

[@patrickh9226]

Dan always makes things look easy, and he's a good teacher of techniques. He made guitar maintenance very approachable for me.

[@MusiciansReflib]

I like all of the StewMac videos I see, but this guy is my favorite host out of them all. Such a great video. I've been playing and adjusting guitars my whole life, and by the looks of it, I still had a lot to learn.

[@lowtonezf104]

Dan is the man. Always teaching and helping the community. Thank you so much!

[@Mrsournotes]

Very much appreciate you sharing your knowledge Dan.

[@guyincognito1423]

Amazing trick Dan! Thank you!

[@richarddpetersen169]

Very nice of you to share your skills

[@glenndavis6793]

Great information for Spring season

[@garydustin]

This is brilliant, thanks Dan!

[@sydrose13]

Always great to see Dan and watch him work

[@marjoriedunn3083]

So helpful. Thank you!!

[@thebonebox488]

I always get solid advice for taking care of my "fleet" of guitars from this channel! Thanks StewMac!

[@stewmac]

That's what we're here for! Thanks so much for tuning in.

[@tomallen8527]

Thanks Dan. I needed that.

[@grahamhall2662]

Very good learned a lot. Thank you.

[@Bikewithlove]

Thank you for this incredible advice! I love my guitars, and this is a big issue I was not fully aware of before. 👍🏻

[@kurtwederquist5880]

Great video Dan, thank you for that tip!

[@hakanaxlund7951]

Thanks for a very educational video. Appreciate the humbleness of your approach.

[@dreambrother1240]

A true master of his craft. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with our community, Dan. I have the second edition of your book and it has really helped to keep my guitars in great shape and playing just the way I want them. Peace

[@The-11]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge Dan ! You're the man !!!

[@KirkHanser]

Just a wonderfully done video in every way - thank you!!!

[@rottanwelding]

Nice tip .. Thank you for taking the time to make the vid.

[@SpringfieldGuy]

Excellent! Thank you so much for this tutorial.

[@fireheist1017]

Amazing video, appreciate explaining it in such detail and explaining what exactly you are doing, this really helps a lot of people who are beginning their attempts on setting up their guitar by themself. Thank you for the informative video

[@davidhook5438]

This is great advice. Worked well on my Taylor 12 string and Gibson SJ200. Thanks!

[@browill9]

Thanks Stew. I needed this video.

[@jerveman]

Thank you for the tips.

[@StefanoBallad]

Great video, thank you so much!

[@tigermcflash131]

Excellent video and tutorial.. !! Thank you StewMac.!

[@AmritP]

very informative, thanks

[@Dansan84]

Helpful video. Just fixed some fret buzz and maintained good action. Thank you

[@randallsnell5767]

Thank you, Dan, for your articles in Guitar player, back in the day. Up until then, set up was a mystery for most.

[@bobbiholliday5961]

This man sure makes learning enjoyable. Thankyou

[@jstar1000]

This is gold, I've never been comfortable making adjustments like I knew what I was doing but now I will. Thanks.

[@panchogmail]

Guitar wisdom! Thanks! Always great channel!

[@randall4411]

Thanks, Dan ! You've helped me through all these years .

[@mercenarysoldier]

Amazing video, thank you very much! Great teacher by the way

[@kenwilson5453]

I have an old 2nd edition of your Guitar Player Repair Guide and refer to it often when maintaining my small collection of instruments. You're the greatest. Thanks for these informative and helpful videos.

[@stewmac]

Absolutely! That book is essential for any luthier's library!

[@Peter-Alexander]

Thank you for this informative video. It makes good sense doing it this way.

[@sam45845]

This guy is so great at what he does and even better at explaining it and showing you how it’s done.. StewMac has become one of my favorite channels

[@stewmac]

He's a master teacher! Thanks for watching!

[@brendangamble8824]

Wow! What an amazing technique!

[@mscir]

Nicely done, thank you very much.

[@samkolhar2270]

Thank you for the good information.🙏👍

[@williammead9966]

Thanks for these useful tips.

[@97GibsonsgOhyeah]

Dan is so Zen. I wish all my school teachers were like him. I've learned a lot watching his videos. I, in fact, did a level crown and polish on an old Sigma that I played 'till the frets were destroyed. Now it plays like new again. Didn't think I could accomplish that. Dan is a great teacher!

[@david25876]

Thanks again Dan!

[@hugoeduardodeamorim9621]

Thanks, Dan. I much appreciate your class. Cheers

[@dwaynemcallister7231]

Good stuff! Thank you.

[@drumsnake1]

Thanks for the tips. Good stuff

[@raymondw4926]

Thank you. Much appreciated.

[@Christopher_Giustolisi]

Great video. No fuzz, straight to the point, clear and understandable explanation. That´s how I like it.

[@carlwayneferry4735]

Thank you for this video, it really helped me to understand much better!!🙂

[@Plowguitarist]

Always find your videos very helpful. I have a pretty extensive collection and some get a lot more playtime than others. However I like to make sure they all are idling safely and fully playable when the urge hits. Thank you so much sir.

[@Fuff63]

This was very helpful, thank you!

[@stewmac]

You're very welcome! Thanks for tuning in!

[@ibleebinU]

Nothing like tried and true methods from experience. Thanks a bunch for posting this!

[@disenchanteddad7759]

Great advice from a true gentleman! Dan's wisdom and personality, matched with his skills and no-nonsense approach, have always made me feel at-home trying to perform my own adjustments to my instruments. The world would be a better place if all instructors and mentors were like him!

[@ManInTheAttic57]

Great video thanks!

[@burtvincent1278]

Thank you for the lesson.

[@123Goldhunter11]

Good stuff. Thank you.

[@jimcunningham2969]

Thank you for your video. I took it slow and made several adjustments to the truss. You saved my Fender CC 60s as it plays really nice now. :)😀

[@butchd18]

Always great advice and tips that sure is brilliant idea doing neck adjustment

[@AntonioAdame1]

Great video!

[@Jeff-dx3ql]

Great video! I now feel pretty confident that I can adjust my guitar's truss rod correctly. Thank you sir!

[@mattryan6886]

Awesome, this was very informative

[@chrisclassical7]

great video, great tip. thank you

[@zpeceni]

Very useful tips from the Professor Dan.

[@FF-so3su]

Thanks Dan🙂👍

[@aleksejsigaj1373]

Thanks for your advice! :)

[@guitarista666]

Wow, this is a lifesaver! I have a guitar that I think needs a truss rod adjustment. It's really good to hear that I can do this myself.

[@larvalangel]

Amazing, thanks very much!

[@sweetemmit413]

Thanks for this video , I have been making a guitar shop and this helps a lot

[@johnnycanosoda]

Always great experience watching your videos sir, and I learn somthing each time.

[@matthewjamesgosselin]

We appreciate you Dan

[@yetimatzenightcat8702]

Thanks a lot Dan, I'll do that. Great tip 👍

[@Lewiiiiiiiis]

Another great video in the latest era of Dan!

[@tidepoolbay]

Dan, as always, makes it look easy! Thank you! WooF!

[@divebomb99]

Great video. I've seen many truss rods ship maxed out on new guitars. No room to turn in a given direction. Very frustrating and something most buyers wouldn't know to look for. Years might pass until they find out the hard way.

[@AndyDemos]

Great vid! Those slotted straight edges are so helpful, I've had mine for years!

[@stewmac]

Agreed! Such a valuable tool for this kind of work.

[@carismadesigns]

thank u man... now i can intonate my own guitar... made a huge difference

[@chafrewilcha]

Most excellent!! Esp. with the graphics!! Wow, I just subscribed. Thanks!

[@stewmac]

Thanks and welcome!

[@davidcamarda8723]

'Driving the energy down to the body and the bridge'.. Solid gold!!

[@pattayaguideorg]

Good on ya old mate, top shelf advice!

[@jerrygill931]

I have that exact same level. Great video.

[@RW-ob4en]

WOW, great job with this vid!

[@stewmac]

Thanks a lot!

[@ssm445]

Hands down the best explanation, no bells and whistle, everything explained. Wow. Too bad I found this channel so late, would have saved me quite some time. Now if only that truss rod on one my guitars would move in any direction...

[@myturkishlife1777]

Brilliant video..thank you.. 👍

[@Soundsystem504]

Great advice and instructions! 👽

[@robphillips8351]

I was wondering how to help the truss rod along.. thank you for your expertise 👍👍

[@yigitcengil2465]

All my respect for this knowledgeable and adorable gentleman. Thanks for making these videos Dan.

[@CMRWoodworks]

Great info!

[@LaMusicade4]

Great to see someone who knows, work