If your neck has too much bow, the strings sit high and feel stiff. If it’s too straight or back-bowed, the strings buzz. Both are fixed with a truss rod adjustment, a quick and affordable service at TuneUp Guitar in Redding.
Signs your neck needs a truss rod adjustment
- The action got higher over the past few months
- Strings buzz on the lower frets
- Sighting down the neck, you can see a curve or a hump
- You changed string gauge or tuning
- The season changed and the guitar feels different
What we do
- Measure the neck relief with the guitar tuned to pitch
- Check the truss rod nut and make sure it turns freely
- Make small, careful turns until the relief is right for your guitar and playing style
- Let the neck settle, then recheck
- Fine tune the action if the change calls for it
The right amount of relief depends on the instrument, the strings, and how hard you play. A light touch player with light strings can get away with a flatter neck. Someone who digs in hard usually needs a touch more.
Why necks move in Redding
Wood responds to temperature and humidity. Redding’s long, hot, dry summers and wetter winters make guitar necks move more than in milder places. It’s normal for a neck to need a small adjustment once or twice a year. A guitar left in a hot car or a cold garage can move a lot in a short time.
Common truss rod problems we handle
- Rod nuts that are stiff, rusty, or hard to reach
- Acoustic guitars with rod access inside the soundhole
- Vintage-style guitars where the rod adjusts at the heel
- Rods that are at the end of their travel
If a rod is stuck or maxed out, we won’t force it. We’ll explain what’s going on and what the options are.
Truss rod adjustment or full setup?
A truss rod adjustment fixes neck relief, but it can change action and intonation too. If more than one thing is bugging you, a full guitar setup or bass setup covers it all.
Bring it in
Truss rod adjustments are quick. Drop by the shop on Redcliff Drive in Redding. Players come in from all over the Redding area.
Truss Rod Adjustment questions
What does the truss rod do?
The truss rod is a metal rod inside the neck that counters string tension. Tightening or loosening it changes how much the neck bows, which affects action and buzz.
Can I adjust my own truss rod?
Small adjustments are possible, but it's easy to overdo it or strip the nut. If the rod is stiff, already tight, or you aren't sure which way to turn it, it's safer to have it done.
My truss rod won't turn. What now?
Don't force it. A stuck or maxed-out rod can sometimes be freed up or helped with other adjustments. Bring it in and we'll take a look.