How to Adjust the Truss Rod on Your Acoustic Guitar

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[@tacguitar]

If you found this helpful, check out my new 30 Days to Play book! www.30daystoplay.net/

[@Roadstar1602]

I've been playing guitar for over 30 years. I adjusted my truss rod for the first time tonight. I was always told never to mess with the truss rod, it has to be professionally adjusted. With the help of this video, my Ibanez acoustic that I was ready to turn into firewood has new life! Thanks!

[@BrianWood]

professionals in any field say things like this because they don't want to lose business. Just take your time and you can figure out how to do whatever it is.

[@666666dreamy1]

Same as mate I've never touched my truss rod 😅

[@NapoleonBorn2Party]

I did, and i ended up learning how to adjust these things, and eventually, I’m adjusting everything on my guitar, including tremolo adjustments, fret string height, etc…

[@eduardoan777]

@@NapoleonBorn2Partythankfully we now have tutorials for everything for free

[@jonosullivan4727]

Ditto, i'm 50 (ish) and just learnt this cool trick. But 'Firewood'? Noo, give it to a kid if you get fed up with it. You never know how good they may become. 👍

[@HumbleHeartMinistry]

Been playing since I was 14, I’m now 61. Everyone made it sound like you would mess your guitar up if you messed with the truss rod, but mine needed messed with, and so I found this video, and guitar now plays perfect! Never in all those years did I attempt to adjust it before! Amazing how we can be afraid to do something, then find out we could do it all along! And I actually paid music stores to turn a screw a quarter inch! Lol! Thanks for posting this video!

[@Unapproachable_Light]

I just bought an allen key and did a little adjustment on my neck for the first time. My strings have no buzz and it plays like silk! This video made it simple. I'm 65 and started playing when I was 17. Shalom!

[@teajelmore]

I like this guy. Hes making it seem like no big deal and hes not being arrogant or confusing. Great teaching skills and a very professional presentation. Thanks a lot, Sir.

[@gordengibson1]

The best part of this video are the new terms I learned, "righty tighty lefty loosey". Great job.

[@meirfivenight3442]

i learned that from curious george i think haha

[@HimanXK]

I'm surprised you didn't already know this but glad you've learned it now. It's endlessly helpful

[@delivering_in_rain]

Well thats the universal rule for nuts n bolts..and bottle caps too..

[@coopergoss350]

I thought everyone knew that by like 6 haha. You’d think I’d be an overachiever

[@brandonphillips4219]

@@delivering_in_rain its not universal in the automotive world... Reverse threads will trick you sometimes

[@gabrieldauz3533]

When someone has thst hair and is talking about guitar i have to Believe he knows about guitars

[@dorapinkdorapink6212]

Same haha

[@skatetodeath666]

🤣

[@KowboySantos]

exactly 😆

[@EarlyBird76]

Nails is what you will have to be aware of.

[@robbie5286]

Same 🤣

[@nerotikzombie]

Had a Fret buzz on the E and A string, 3rd Fret (G and C). Did exactly what he said (but gave it an 1/8th turn at a time) and BAM! Fret buzz is gone after 3 1/8th turns!! Thank You!!!

[@alec5786]

I had the exact same problem in the same places as you. Did about 3 1/8th turns as well and it’s much better now!

[@joudeta.bukhari1418]

who else was able to play barre chords after this

[@smccann1998]

Ive had my acoustic guitar for almost a year now and ive always felt like it was so much tougher to play than my electric. I know of course this is generally true for acoustic but I had no idea how much. I could do bar chords but my b string would never ring no matter how hard i tried. My fingers would take physical abuse trying to do them cleanly on the acoustic. Turns out all it took was simply adjusting the truss rod and now its like 10x easier to play. I guess its better I figured this out sooner rather than later.

[@ianb6814]

Excellent video. I've never messed with my truss rod before on any guitar, and this video helped me completely eliminate the buzz on my Taylor while still keeping nice low action. Thank you!

[@codystokes9289]

This man is amazing at explaining things. So simply. I’m so happy I came across this KZbin channel. Very informative!

[@frankpoperowitzmusic]

I am a novice guitar player (been a drummer my whole life) and was having some buzzing issues with my new guitar. I was able to completely correct it by watching your video. First time working on a guitar too! Many thanks!

[@jakerainford5155]

Very well explained for a beginner, i purchased a guitar second hand from a pawn shop and needed to fix fret buzz on the low E string. One thing i noticed is the truss rod screw was rather tight (due to the guitar being second hand no doubt), so first turn in either direction take a little bit of extra force.

[@aprendeguitarraclasica]

Man, this video was so useful! I've played guitar for over 20 years now and this is the very first time I dared to do this myself! Thank you so much!

[@JH-zo4st]

first time in 20 years I hear such a clear and concise explanation. the rod and strings are pulling against each other.

[@mickkennedy1344]

Put a capo on the 1st fret, hold down the low E string at the 14th fret, measure the 'neck relief' at the 6th fret (the guitar should not be de-tuned);; adjust the truss rod, if it needs adjusted, so that the 'neck relief' is only about 0.5 millimetre or thereabouts -- that's how a master luthier does it.

[@Infiernofox138]

That is a very useful tip. Thank you.

[@superdriver777]

But it only applies if you have a 14-fret acoustic (body joins neck at 14th fret). Not a 12! Just be wary of that haha

[@darymetal]

0.5 is too much, the general consensus is set on .25mm or .01 inch. You may have fretting issues with that much relief

[@jward9637]

I will try that Mick!

[@recovering4vr574]

@@superdriver777 nice catch superdriver. With the emergence of Ed Sheeran, a whole lot of new players are buying 12's. To be honest, if I played plugged in or if I played a small, intimate setting, I ALWAYS play a 12 fretter. I've got a 2012 LaPlant and a 1959 Framus, depending on if I'm playing steel or nylon. I played a regular Martin 14 fred Dread otherwise.I'm off on a tangent but im illustrating why YOUR post is relevant.

[@christofers3848]

You are the man! I just have to say. I've been watching your videos for many years now, and they are so incredibly helpful. It's so easy to get a good grip on how a specific guitar sounds in the way you do it. And this videos was exactly what i needed to learn how to adjust a truss rod. So thank you Tony!

[@enteramuse8468]

I just received my fender SA-105CE from Amazon today which needed a hell lot of tightening but I had no idea about how to do it..... Thanks for your video.....now my guitar is in perfect shape......

[@RandySchartiger]

It's ok to loosen the truss under string tension but I wouldn't recommend tightening it under string tension, the strings should be loosened before tightening the truss to eliminate the chance of snapping or stripping the rod itself. Just sayin

[@randallbenavides7965]

this is the only video I found that actually explains on a clear way how to proceed, I have a fender cd-60 that I love how it looks and the sound but it was getting really hard to play as the strings (action) is too high but I didnt know how to fix that, this process seems to be the solution!

[@subhrajyotiroy6042]

Thanks, now my guitar neck looks like erectile dysfunction

[@camerondufresne2767]

That's what it's supposed to look like.

[@robertfizer]

I just want to thank you so much Tony. I have a Martin HD-28 and live in the east coast where there's a decent amount of incremental weather and is humid so the neck is always temperamental. I can't afford guitar tech very much and don't want the techs to do it for free. So I really appreciate the lesson.

[@KarenWagner-dx4pb]

Dude you have beautiful hands. You could be a hand model. Best explanation I ever heard. Thanks.

[@HankleburyTV]

Thanks for the simple and straightforward explanation of how the truss rod and the strings interact. Helps me to understand what I'm doing when I make adjustments.

[@davidvandegaer750]

I had a buzz on my Taylor - right out of the box... investigation revealed it was loose screws at the truss rod cover. Don’t assume a buzz is a fret buzz. Also, guitar humidifiction/dehumidification can affect the action and string relief. I think Tony has a video on this, as well...

[@Jessedog11]

thats good for newbies like me to know, i had a buzz day one, thinking it was me until today. Plus thanks for mentioning the humidity thing. In the winter humidity is like 15-20% in summer up to 90s .Thanks for pointing this out i will be on the lookout.

[@richardm9550]

Great tutorial Tony, thanks for taking the time to share. Mike Kennedy's suggestion about the capo on the first fret makes checking the relief that much easier

[@stevenyates8681]

Thank you for the advice and instruction. I suddenly acquired a buzz when I put on a set of DR Black Beauties (WHICH I DO NOT RECOMMEND.) Changed them out for a set of DR Sunbeams (STRONG RECOMMENDATION.), but then I had TWO string buzzing. I loosened the truss rod on my Gibson Songwriter and I am back to buzz-free playing. Thank you so much!!!

[@constancekovac4795]

Great overview! Am fixing up daughter-in-law's guitar & although i've done this dozens of times i wanted a refresher before i started "turning screws." Thank you!!!

[@Samcubegamer]

Easily the best video I've found on this. Was taken on at a second hand goods store where they just so happen to sell instruments. For the most part I'm pretty on it with setting up guitars but truss rod adjustments have always intimidated me. TL;DR - Now have a wonderful Ibanez Acoustic that isn't bowing like a roundabout :D

[@peterwilliams716]

I can’t believe the difference it made on my fender acoustic !! Now enjoy playing it rather then wanting to smash it rock star style lol ! Tightened the truss rod and now barre chords are a joy. Thank you.

[@killakacti]

This brought my 2003 ibanez aw100 back to life. I was going to go buy another guitar. I'm enjoying this guitar more than ever now. Thanks!

[@pocketwatchtheory4635]

I picked up a Mitchell acoustic on OfferUp for $30. It had a really bad bow in the neck and instead of taking it to my local guitar tech to fix it I found your video and five turns of an Allen wrench later it sounds amazing. Thanks man

[@fortysixyou]

This video worked for me, adjusted my acoustic for the first time ever tonight and it's playing way better. Thanks for taking the time.

[@john-ob7bv]

Just lowered action on my Gibson, I noticed my high E string was buzzing afterwards so rolled it back a little bit and its spot on now.

[@Jessedog11]

Im a real newbie, but I'm coming along, I had No idea i had a truss Rod until this video. I do get a slight buzz and thanks to this video, I no longer have that buzz, I was pressing so hard on the baby e thinking that buzz was me, it wasn't. all though 4 years old this video helped me greatly!! Thanks so much. I learned something new and adjusted to perfection Thanks again.

[@platham9076]

this gave me the confidence to adjust the truss rod on my Fender CD60. I gave it approximately 1/4 turn to the right. now it's far easier to play!!

[@aydanneilson-bourke7378]

My teacher once told me about the truss rod. I believe he told me what it does, either I wasn’t listening or just completely forgot. Finding this video (I was tryna find out if there was a way to change the action) was really helpful so thank you :)

[@ardesh007]

Thank you for taking the fear out of this operation.

[@davidkraft8541]

it worked great on my cordoba flamenco: I was getting a dead note on the second fret of the high E string. That side of the neck had a noticeable reverse bow in it, while the Low E side of the neck appeared flat. I loosed the truss rod a good half turn and the visible bow disappeared from the high E side and the dead note vanished as we'll. Thanks

[@OKBAOK]

7 yrs ago video 👍🙂. Make sense on adjusting the rod without loosening it, it’s an instant quick adjustment then tune it. I loosen the strings before then tune it. Thanks for the tip on how to check the vibrations of the strings to the fret. Good video 👋👍🙂

[@EhCloserLook]

When I watch these videos I wonder if this dude is reading off of a teleprompter because the flow of his thoughts into words are very smooth.

[@thenostra-ramos9384]

Thanks. I’ve been contemplating buying a new classical guitar for a while. This video just saved me a thousand plus dollars.

[@steveygti1978]

Tony, Thank you for this video instruction. You are a good teacher: very clear and very concise.

[@chris61981]

I'm so glad you got it right. So many techs sight a neck downwards and not in playing position

[@nicolasking1988]

Love these videos Tony, you give so much character to your videos. Missing you on the Acoustic Letter. I'm looking forward to joining your website. ✌️

[@tacguitar]

+Nicolas King Glad you are digging these!!! Tony's Acoustic Challenge is growing everyday, I am really grateful for all of the members and the team that is helping me!!! Thanks for checking these out!!!

[@djfedezaza]

you are the best at explaining such things.. other people usually just tell you a bunch of non explained quotes while you tell all the truth and the reasons behind it, thanks.

[@luckyscooter127]

Could you do a tutorial on how to replace tuning pegs? Not the gears just the heads, or is that possible?

[@tacguitar]

+luckyscooter127 I will add that to my list for sure, great suggestion

[@Texicus_Reddicus]

loosen the nut and the screw, pull it out. replace with new ones. if you mean the knobs, there's usualy a screw on the outside that you can loosen to swap them out

[@northeastbirdsmore2281]

I'm guilty of playing the guitar a lot but not really being nearly as good about the maintenance and knowledge of it I just kind of string it and play it but I have to say this really was so simply explained I was able to do the job and had really awesome results I appreciate it...

[@brianmcnary3960]

Thanks man , guitar center said my guitar was fucked cuz I live in a dry climate. I adjusted it and now it sounds perfect.

[@KalvynMarks]

Brian Mcnary never go to guitar center for repairs. Only go there to buy stuff lol

[@philbriggs3630]

Well and simply explained. I got rid of a slight (but annoying) spot of fret buzz on my acoustic guitar by slackening off the truss rod a ¼ turn. Result! Thank you 👏

[@johanhasan4707]

Excellent video. Super informative and clear. Thanks!

[@philcircle]

I love how you address the scary element and walk through carefully. I'll be sending my students to this video. Thanks!

[@kostaspippas3719]

in the pick of despair, one step before throw money for nothing in tecnician, i found u stranger and u solve a huge prob in my guitar, tnx u very much. the problem has to loose the rod a bit to make the guitar sounds brand better than (new). gosh bless you

[@SuperNashwanPower]

DONE IT! First time in 35 years. Thanks so much for what seemed scary but was in fact simple.

[@neilmitchell4941]

My guitar seems to have a backwards buckle around where the neck meets the body, even when the truss rod is slackened off - guess that means a trip to a luthier?

[@tacguitar]

Neil, Definitely time for a trip. It may be a couple of issues, but best diagnosed by a luthier who is taking a deeper look.

[@margarettelovato4511]

Thank you for explaining so clearly. Purchased the tool and did exactly how you explained. My Taylor buzz is totally gone! She playing great again!!❤🎸

[@kemberlyxavier8400]

Hi, I just bought a new guitar today and I wonder why it buzzes everytime I do a chord but it doesnt buzz when i strum it alone. What should i do?

[@crob3545]

Im late but ur probably not pressing down hard enough or u have a backbowed truss rod

[@endoffate5475]

Best video on how to do that...Its very simple indeed and your 1/4 clockwise to tighten the trust rode is perfect.

[@felixpena4204]

Thank you for a clear description of how to adjust the truss rod.

[@chessica7436]

Thanks for this! I had just changed the strings on my classical and was getting buzz on the 4th string. Managed to get rid of it completely due to your explanation. Saved me a lot of trouble from going to a shop to see what was wrong with it :)

[@chucklutter7399]

Thank you for sharing your experience knowledge and passion with those of us trying to make music. I've adjusted my guitars necks before but its been a while. Appreciate the information to confirm my memory. BEST AND PEACE

[@averyzaliasylvia4026]

What if my string tension is too tight? even though i use super light string?

[@nickbrooksrocks]

My dude thank you so much. Fixed string buzz on a new guitar. She plays amazingly now!

[@JustonianInstitute]

Gotta problem with Tony?! Pause it at 3:05.

[@rbbshawarmachine7543]

dude why would you do that

[@Hornwiesel]

Lol. Nice find

[@robertgomicua4200]

Hahahahahahahaha fuck it

[@terrapin6352]

I think there might be a feud between this guy and this guy: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6rLnItvgayflck

[@sicboi2543]

Lol

[@michael_caz_nyc]

So great. This was necessary and much appreciated.

[@SteveMartinUSA]

So press down on the low E at the 1st & 12th frets (@1:50), and then check for a "subtle amount of bow" by observing the vertical travel of the low E string on the other frets? Sounds good. Thank you.

[@MrMikeT89]

Thank you so much! My wife bough me my first guitar and, though sounding beautiful, was difficult to play. This seems to have made a world of difference but will have to try more tomorrow. Its too late haha

[@sewing1243]

A capo and a set of feeler gauges will help with this adjustment/measurement. Place the capo on the first fret, press the string at the body/neck joint fret, and measure with feeler gauge the the distance between the e string (both 6 and 1) and the fret at the 7th fret. Most of the online luthiers/guitar techs I've watched say to use .012 inches of relief at the 7th fret. Don't forget to retune the guitar to pitch and remeasure after each adjustment.

[@thebluntyorkshireman5161]

Cheers for this video, Tony. Worked a treat!

[@M3RRIH3W13]

I've been playing for 25 years and like Tony's technique. I live in the Northeast and the climate changes quite a bit. I adjust with the tension in E. It is usually 1/4 to 1/8th and I'm not messing around for a lot of adjusting. Just adjust, tune again, the small adjustment is perfect. If not, a little back, but hardly ever has to do that adjustment. Although I have done a 1/4 and a 1/8 the next day

[@liamoneill5399]

Ah this is so good. New guitar fret buzzing on the 2nd/3rd driving me insane. 2 quarter turns and jobs a gooden, was wondering whether to try or not as there is so much hype about dangers. Thanks dude!

[@cheekzs]

Gotta say this brought my old cheap rogue back to life . Thank you

[@Ryan.Myshrall]

Just adjusted my CBS Masterworks acoustic guitar and it plays better than ever! Thanks for the video!

[@jefferp]

Slight adjustment? And how! My Taylor had a loud buzz on my A string only. 6 month old guitar. I did the 1st fret, 12th fret test and my strings were resting on the frets. 1/8th turn was all it took to fix it. Thank you for the great information!

[@luemas3219]

This homie and Smooth McGroove get together and the whole universe collapses in on itself

[@shmadsta]

I watched a few videos on this and this is the best one by far! Thanks for the clear and concise explanation.

[@WoundedEgo]

I checked the bow using your method and there it was flat but it isn't buzzing. It still feels kind of high at the high end, though so I guess I'll have to live with it. Helpful video; thanks for posting.

[@joshuasimon8679]

Had buzzing on my acoustic, and I watched some videos about trimming fret wires and hammering them down, but this is what I wanted

[@Muckymuckmuck]

I knew from your first line I was at the right place. Great video. All of the information, great delivery, no time wasting. Thank you. I was about to head to a gig when I remembered my guitar had fallen and the action was f#cked!! Saw your vid went for 5 minutes and I'm so glad it was you. I'm pretty impressed with my first go (Also a muso for 30 years and had never tried). I'll fine tune it tomorrow but it got me through the gig :) Cheers

[@hussainraza8009]

I just realized my guitar does not have a truss rod.

[@helenecote623]

Appreciate this - strangely, it's only my 5th string that buzzes (on 2nd & 3rd frets). my guitar was in its case for a while, so I'm hoping this is all it will take. Appreciated your video Cheers

[@cambo6319]

In my mind if you kept tightening that rod it would start to bow creating a bow in the neck. I was so wrong. But as my guitar doctor demonstrated, he grabbed a truss rod that he had laying around, I never realised there is a second rods side by side. So as the rod is tighten the second rod starts to buckle out or up pushing the neck up. If you loosen that rod that second rods buckle starts to flatten out. Eg: if you have a leather belt with both ends in one hand and with your other hand motion out so that the belt straps go flat, then start bringing your hand slowly together the straps start to buckle out. So in theory if your tightening the neck you are flattening the neck bringing the strings close to the frets and the opposite is self explanatory.

[@brucemillar]

Great video, thanks mate. Clear and concise explanation. Fixed my Washburn Mirage Deluxe buzz straight away. Cheers!

[@weshawkins7165]

What is considered a lot of string movement when adjusting the neck relief?

[@t.dwhitaker8808]

I clicked the link and it didn’t give me a choice to download your 20 tool package there Also, I find you to be very informative. You are good at explaining things. I understood you perfectly fine thank you.

[@MrJughead7]

Great Video! Cleared up a lot of confusion on how to adjust the truss rod.

[@johnstecker5825]

I love all the comments here - I'm in the same boat. 25 years of playing and NEVER touched the truss rod. Thank you for this video❤

[@marthao5799]

Ok, so I hold the headstock towards me and turn to the left to loosen the rod.... I'm abut to do it but I am still scared, lol I did and wow, is my guitar so much easier to play!! Thank you so much for helping me! I love the sound of my new guitar but the action wasn't so comfortable, now I know I will play more often because I will be able to play easier and longer!!!

[@harshitsharma3214]

Thank you so much brother. I corrected my Faith Guitar bend after watching your video. Cheers from India.

[@philipaklonis7906]

Thank you!!! First time I did this.😳🤔 You took the mystery out of it. The buzz is gone. (Yamaha FG 830. Amazingly great 🎸 for the price. Great instruction video. Phil

[@Neuryn]

Im scared to loosen my truss rod since its really tight and the G string buzzes a lot (Bought it like that) Since its tight, I feel like I'll damage the neck if I try to loosen is T-T (My nut shit is in the soundholder. Im using a helicon)

[@robozstarrr8930]

I've always had problems with G-Strings . . . just don't have the butt for them! m_m

[@abhayajoodha3113]

roboZ starrr, do you know why guitar guys get the girls?

[@yesyesyay8452]

So clear. This needs be in my memory with the understanding.

[@edc6774]

One of the best clearly explained videos about this subject.👍🏻thx.

[@tracilynmessages4517]

This video has been a huge help in understanding how to make minor adjustments.. Thanks!!

[@Feverm00n]

As someone who can’t visualize/translate clockwise and counterclockwise (aside from on actual clocks), this is the first video about adjusting truss rods that makes sense to me. Hearing that it’s like your average screw (RT LL) made things instantly make sense to me lol Ps- That is one epic beard you’ve got there! I wish I could get the hair on my head to look that healthy lol

[@RumbleFish69]

Great video! Very simple with no unnecessary explanations.

[@thebañosongs]

Thanks bro for giving me the confidence to adjust my truss rod.

[@DwayneDelacruz]

Thank you sir, I fixed my buzzing problem! 🙏

[@kevinstuart677]

Well thought out lesson. Comprehensive yet concise. Thank you!

[@Deguilbret17]

Thanks Tony. I always wondered how to do this. Very clearly and well explained. Awesome tip.