The all mighty truss rod

[Larry]

Ever since when i started playing guitar some 15 years ago i was told never touch the truss rod. But now Im wondering what in gods name does it do. As i get older i like to know how to do it myself. Now i have searched online for some basic ideas but none of them seem to explain how and why to adjust it. Im getting buzz from the 1-4th fret and i have heard that to fix it you must relieve tension on the neck. So basically im looking for a guide on how to tell wheather or not the neck requires adjustment and how much i would have to give it.
thanks again

 

[lenny]

hers's a good article that sums it up
http://www.athensmusician.net/archive/2001-05-01_geneimbody1.php

 

[brentrocks]

Ever since when i started playing guitar some 15 years ago i was told never touch the truss rod.

i felt the same way dude!!! Being in MI, my necks move a lot, so it is necessary for me to "tweek" them every once in a while.

What i always use as a quick rule is:

i hold the high E at 1st and 22nd....there should only be a VERY small (a few .000) gap btw. the string and the 12th fret.

that has always worked good for me and my EVHs

 

[Larry]

thanks for the help i got it the way i like it and it didnt cost me a dime

 

[Spudmurphy]

What i always use as a quick rule is:

i hold the high E at 1st and 22nd....there should only be a VERY small (a few .000) gap btw. the string and the 12th fret.

+1
(but I haven't really tweeked mine!! )

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I adjust mine all the time, doing what has been said. I can normally feel when it needs doing.

 

[Big Poppa]

thanks for the help i got it the way i like it and it didnt cost me a dime

Larry
This is why I get so frustrated with forumites who post their problems here before contacting customer service. In your previous post about your neck gone bad Jon tried to tell you that the guitar was out of adjustment. You said that you took it to a luthier and he couldn't do any thing about it. I would get my money back from him

Im glad you got your guitar where you like it and have fun !

 

[jaxadam]

fear not the truss rod. i just take them out as soon as I get a new guitar (just kidding!)

It's really simple. Just tighten it or loosen it a little, and see what happens. You'll be amazed!

 

[Larry]

Big Poppa,

This had nothing to do with the Cherry Burst Axis i sent to Customer Service with the bad setup or in my eyes the neck. But either way the Cherry Burst Axis plays fantasitically. I have two the Trans Blue and the Cherry Burst. guilty pleasure I made this topic so i can learn how to adjust the truss rod in my attempt to learn how to preform a basic setup on my Ernie Ball Music Mans.

I apologize if i caused you any frustration.

 

[Big Poppa]

Larry Relax

Imm glad you have more than one and also glad you learned how nifty our truss rod is

 

[lumberjack]

Ohh No, here we go again

You two go to opposite corners and wait for the bell

Hey BP, can I add my 2 cents. If it had of been me, I wouldn't have called Customer Service to learn how to adjust a truss rod, either. I wouldn't have thought you'd want people calling Customer Service with this issue. It's not a warranty issue, etc. And if you do encourage people call to ask how to adjust the truss rod, and other maintenance issues, then you really do have a damn good CS department.

I'll defend Larry on this one, though. He's just trying to learn how to do some of the work on his own guitars and save some money. There's a wealth of information and experience from the guys on the EBMM forums....that's why he asked.

I would guess that most of us understand you're probably worried about customers getting bad advice, and doing damage and causing a real Customer Service issue.

And I understand that when people post their guitar problems on the forums, others cruising the EBMM site see these problems and think the instruments are poorly made or have quality issues etc and that's how the trash talking and rumors about your company starts. And the company and customer service haven't even had a chance to defend themselves, address the problem, and get things sorted out.

Hey I agree that Customer Service should be contacted first when it comes to major issues....that's what they are there for. And that's what a lot of forum members have advised others to do as well.

Don't worry BP. We're here because we love you guys, the company and your wonderful guitars. We won't steer any advice seekers in the wrong direction.

Take it easy,
Scott

 

[Big Poppa]

Scott I dont think that Larry and I have problems. Larry Correct me i Im wrong.

Its simple this is our forum and we get the unfortunate position to set the rules.

larry and my miscommunication was his previous thread about buzzing neck. I didn't know that he had two Axis's..god bless him! I think that we either have his guitar or will have it shortly and we will make sure it is perfect.

Please understand that I have my reasons for what I do and have explained them numerous times.

If you sat in Jon's seat you will see that many of the "problems" that are expounded on in the forum are quite minor and news flash there are some that require nothing and we send them back and the customer is over the top happy! Placebo time!

So trust me and go along with one of the few rules...Contact customer service first.

 

[Larry]

I got my Cherry Burst Axis back from Customer Service about a week or two and it plays excellently
one

two

Dont even start with those red strings forgive me for i have sinned and also they play like $h!t

 

[lumberjack]

Hey BP,

Those first two lines in my reply were just my attempt to add some lighthearted banter to the thread. If I'm coming across as a bit of a s@#t disturber, that was not my intention. All of your points are understood and well taken.

And I apologize for rehashing issues that have been talked to death. I've been watching the forums for a while and I've only been a member for about a month so I missed all of those discussions. I'm sure that you feel like a broken record having to repeat yourself about the issue.

Like I've said before, I'm just thankful there is an owner of a company out there that takes the time to respond to customers issues.

There is no need to reply to this. everything is cool and under control

P.S. Larry your two guitars are killer

Scott

 

[Larry]

thanks for the compliment

 

[koogie2k]

I am not a huge cherry burst fan, but larry, that one is stunning! Man, that is nice!

 

[Larry]

yeah im glad i got the Cherry Burst rather than the Trans Red

i wear it is impossible to photograph a guitar without getting that flash mark off the guitar clearcoat or on the chrome bridge

 

[koogie2k]

yeah im glad i got the Cherry Burst rather than the Trans Red

i wear it is impossible to photograph a guitar without getting that flash mark off the guitar clearcoat or on the chrome bridge

Believe it or not....the hardest EBMM for me to photgraph is my Stealth. All black and tough to get a decent shot even with the flash.

 

[Larry]

now forgive me but what is a Stealth and pics?

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

Its a color option/package offered only on the Bongo. Flat black finish, black hardware, black pole pieces on the pickups AKA "Stealth"