Comments

• crookedpinky Glasgow✭✭✭✭ Alex Bishop D Hole, Altamira M & JWC D hole

  November 2011 Posts: 921

  I'm sure others will repsond with more info but I know a recent post advised against trying to use the truss rod alone to adjust the action - it's main use is for neck relief. Are you considering lowering or changing the bridge as well ?
  
  Anyway, no doubt there'll be more advise on it's way, good luck
  
  Alan

  always learning
• Clowsh New

  November 2011 Posts: 8

  I really just want the action a bit lower, I'm gonna get a lower gauge string as well. I have to press incredibly hard on the higher frets and it's just starting to feel unnatural as well as difficult to have licks flowing musically.
  
  I did think I was just being a pussy (for lack of a better word) but after playing on a friend's acoustic I set up about a year ago, I can notice a big difference
• BluesBop Harry Mexico city, MexicoVirtuoso

  November 2011 Posts: 1,379

  The truss rod is NOT for adjusting the action.
  It is used for setting neck relief so strings don't buzz on the middle frets.
  I like to set it as straight as possible with no buzz.
  
  To get lower action you need to get another bridge or lower the one you have.
  This can be done by making the notches deeper and then shaving the extra wood so the slots are only half as deep as the string is wide. Go slow.
  The problem with this approach is that is easy to change the radius of the strings and they 'll no longer match that of the fretboard.
  Try lowering each string .5mm even.
  If you lower the bridge by 1mm the action at the 12th fret will go down by half that amount
  Typical action is 3mm low E and 2.5 high E (measured from the top of the 12th fret to the bottom of the string) if you go lower you risk getting buzz.
  Remember that once you lower the bridge it'll be much harder to get it higher again so work very slow and keep tuning up, measuring and feeling your action all the time.
  Good luck!
• Jazzaferri Victoria B.C.Moderator Dunn Ultrafox, DuPont MDC20 Gretsch Chet Atkins CG

  November 2011 Posts: 3,707

  +1 on Harry's post

  The Magic really starts to happen when you can play it with your eyes closed
• klaatu Nova ScotiaProdigy Rodrigo Shopis D'Artagnan, 1950s Jacques Castelluccia

  November 2011 Posts: 1,665

  Ditto. Look up "guitar neck relief" and follow the instructions to see if you need an adjustment. Chances are you don't, in which case you want to leave the truss rod alone. If you do need to adjust the neck relief and the rod is too stiff, take it to a guitar technician. If you snap the truss rod, you're in deep doo-doo.

  Benny
  
  "It's a great feeling to be dealing with material which is better than yourself, that you know you can never live up to."
  -- Orson Welles
• Clowsh New

  November 2011 Posts: 8

  I've thrown the alan key at the wall to stop me going anywhere near the truss rod.
  
  For now I'm just gonna get lighter strings. The ones this came with feel quite cheap, the g string has actually split apart on every fret which just confirms this.
  
  If I'm still not happy with the whole thing after the string change then I'll look into either changing the bridge or taking it to a specialist. Or getting a new bridge installed by a specialist.
  
  Either way I'm not touching the truss rod again, you've all scared me too much.
  
  Thanks!