Intonation/Truss Rod Question

[Johnny Guitar]

When changing strings I like to take them all off to clean the fretboard. The FAQ suggests changing one string at a time and if you do take off all the strings for cleaning you will probably need to readjust the neck and re-intonate the guitar.

So my questions are: Would I need to adjust the truss rod along with the screws at the end of the bridge? How do I do this? And how do I know I'm doing it right?

I'm a newbie when it comes to truss rod and intonation adjustment and I want to make sure I do it correctly since I always change my strings this way.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Johnny Guitar]

Oh, one more thing...

How can I get RPS Slinkys? I haven't seen them at any store. Are they a special order?

 

[Sweat]

Hey I have a Luke Carbon Blue Pearl and the first time I changed the strings I took them all off due to it being on display at a GC and the fret board was just gross, I did not have to do anything to the guitar, while I normally change one string at a time, just play the guitar and if something does not seem right then think about truss adjustment, I know their are many others with better knowledge than myself, as far as the RPS order online, check out musicians friend

 

[candid_x]

I nearly always remove all the strings at once. If the strings are left off for longer than a few minutes while I restring (such as when I waited for new pickup covers for a few days), it takes a couple days for the neck to return to it's original position when strung. Other than that I give it an hour or so after new strings are on, and it hasn't require re-intonating or truss adjustments.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

On the occasions I have had all the strings off, I have never needed to adjust anything.

 

[ivanmihaljevic]

I always take all the strings off and clean my guitar thoroughly.

The way I set up the truss rod is:

Press the G string on the first fret with your left hand, and with your right hand press the G string right after the last fret. Then look at the distance between the string and the frets between 7th to 9th. The distance between the string and the frets should be very very small (0.3 mm=0.012" maximum), but the string should not be touching the above mentioned frets.
If the distance is too big, tighten the truss rod (looking from the bridge side - turn the wheel clockwise).
If the distance is too small, release the truss rod (looking from the bridge side - turn the wheel counterclockwise).
Make any adjustments gradually and check the curvature the way I described it above after each 1/2 turn.


As far as the intonation adjustment goes:

To check the intonation, compare the harmonic note above the 12th fret of every string to the fretted note on the 12th fret.
If the fretted pitch is higher than the harmonic, saddle must be moved backward to lengthen string (turn the screw at the base of the bridge clockwise).
If the fretted pitch is lower than the harmonic, saddle must be moved forward to shorten string (turn the screw at the base of the bridge counterclockwise).


I hope this helps you and answers your question!

 

[ivanmihaljevic]

As far as the RPS strings, I buy them at a local music store!
If I can buy them in Zagreb, I believe you should be able to buy them in NY too...

 

[lpcoco]

For the RPS strings, I can't find one in any music store here in Quebec, Canada, and also at 12thFret store in Toronto, Canada.

 

[blackspy]

On the occasions I have had all the strings off, I have never needed to adjust anything.

Me either.

 

[Johnny Guitar]

Thanks for all the help guys. I really appreciate it. I love reading the stuff you guys post on here.