Adjusting Truss Rod on Acoustic?

[Scatterwound]

Hi,

So one of my acoustics action is a bit high after sitting for a while.....From what I can tell it has too much bow in the neck...The truss rod adjustment is at the heel...If I am looking from the heel up towards the headstock....Do I start with a quarter turn clockwise or counter clockwise to straighten the neck?

Thanks in advance.

:thanks:

 

[Grenade]

Re: Adjusting Truss Rod on Acoustic?

Clockwise to reduse relief ( upward bow), retune, recheck. When your done you may need to shave the saddle if it's still to high.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Adjusting Truss Rod on Acoustic?

How much saddle is sitting above the bridge? As Grenade is suggesting the Truss rod adjustment is NOT really used to adjust action but to straighten the neck. Ultimately it will effect action, but not as much as you think. First thing I would do is get the neck straight. Once the bow has been removed, then you can remove the saddle and sand it from the bottom side. My preference in doing this is to use a file or some 400 grit sand paper clamped to the table and just slide the saddle back & fourth keep it it level and applying moderate force. you only should need to bring down the saddle a little bit to bring the action down a fair amount. The one thing you have to remember is an acoustic guitar SHOULD have higher action then electrics do.

 

[Scatterwound]

Re: Adjusting Truss Rod on Acoustic?

Thanks guys...Ok...I have not been fully honest in my question....First....Thanks for the info...Clockwise...Got it...Here is the whole story...My acoustic was sitting for a while and the action was high....So I did buy a new saddle exactly the same one that came with the guitar (Graphtech Tusq saddle)...I kept the original as is (just in case) and holding them side by side I sanded down the new one to be lower than the original...The new one is a fair bit lower...By a few mm......Now with it installed and tuned to pitch the action is still too high....For reference I did go to my local Guitar shop and check the exact model that I have...In the store the action for their guitars is a lot nicer than mine.....Lower and more comfortable...So I will give a CW turn a try thanks...

 

[jeremy]

Re: Adjusting Truss Rod on Acoustic?

yep, 1/4 turn at a time and let it sit over night to settle once your close. best not to go too far and have to go back

 

[G0lden]

Re: Adjusting Truss Rod on Acoustic?

I just thought I would add...

Most everything in the world is threaded with right hand threads. Tightening is tightening. It doesn't matter if the hex head is at the nut or the heal.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Adjusting Truss Rod on Acoustic?

Looking from the butt end toward the head, it's clockwise to counteract upbow.

It helps if you bend the neck into position and then tighten the rod. That way the rod is not doing the actual moving of the neck. It is just holding it where you placed it by hand.