Electric bass truss rod adjustment

The relief of the neck is measured by holding the biggest (6th) string at the first fret and the 19th fret. Theoretically, this should be the lowest point of our neck’s arc when relief is added. Insert the proper size truss rod adjustment wrench (provided with new Gretsch instruments) into the truss rod nut or use a correctly sized driver (see illustration at right).

If the neck has a concave (dipping) bow, tighten the truss rod nut by turning it clockwise.

To compensate for undesirable curvature in the neck you can adjust your neck up or down.

Decrease Relief Tightening the truss rod by turning it clockwise influences the neck to curve upward toward the strings (convex). Listen to your guitar and ease up if you feel like you’re putting too much force on the truss rod.

The cost to replace a guitar truss rod is usually between $400 to $700, depending upon the type of guitar and where you live. This neck has a bow or relief in it, dipping in the middle, offering more distance between the frets and the strings. They specifically stated, “The first step in any setup is to take a look at the neck and see what correction we may need to make.

Start with a neck relief check to get an idea of how much adjusting is required. Most broken rods can be repaired, however; the cost to repair a broken rod is often more than the value of the guitar. This isn’t as accurate as measuring the action with a feeler gauge, but it does allow for quick diagnosing and can unveil some unexpected or subtle twisting in the neck. 

Make sure you’re in a well lit area.

You hear some people say, “Never turn a truss rod more than ¼ turn a day.” Well, this is just not true. 

If this was the case, no guitar shop/repair facility/or factory could ever get anything done. Because the neck responds slowly, you may find that the intonation needs to be reset after a few days.

What if truss rod nut won’t turn or tighten?

Always stay on the side of caution when adjusting a truss rod.

You’ll know well in advance if a truss rod is getting too tight. 

Because we’ve all heard the horror stories of guitar necks exploding into a cloud of maple splinters and fretwire, there is a strange rumor that needs to be addressed. With a screwdriver we can adjust bass intonation.

We will also need a Precision Ruler.

All truss rods are made of steel, however; the composition of the steel used is not the same. Turn the nut clockwise to tighten the rod.”¹ Tightening the truss rod is done to correct upbow.

What happens if you overtighten a truss rod? A possible repair option is to buy a replacement neck but this is not an option for neck-through guitars.

The variances in steel composition, rod diameter, and manufacturing quality result in wide differences in the strength of any truss rod.

In a 2019 article, the folks at Sweetwater Sound discussed the importance of being able to also sight a guitar neck before adjusting a truss rod.