Fender-style truss rods that adjust at the body-end of the neck can be a bit of a pain. Sometimes (not often enough), manufacturers build in some concessions to those setting up instruments but even some of these can bring their own challenges.
Read MoreAre you going to damage the guitar by trying your own setups? You've probably heard you can break the truss rod if you try to adjust it.
I read this actual quote: “Do not try and screw around with the truss rod yourself. You will most definitely snap your neck.”
So, should you risk it?
Read MoreRemoving a neck to adjust the truss rod is a bit of a pain.
Some Telecasters, however have a channel cut between the neck pocket and the front pickup cavity. Because the neck pickup is often mounted direct to the body, removing the pickguard on those Teles is easy. And, if you're lucky, you'll have a little notched channel to get at the truss rod.
Read MoreIn the very old days*, guitars had no truss rods at all. This wasn’t so much of a problem with gut strings but, once steel strings came along, builders realised that some sort of strengthening was required and so various things began to be inserted into guitar necks to help make them stronger.
A while back, I realised I had a couple of Martin guitars of different vintages in for neck resets. So, with the necks off, I took a photo showing the steel rods they've used over the years.
Read MoreIf you’ve read Sketchy Setups, you’ll probably have spotted that I mention the importance of using the right sized wrench for adjusting your truss rod.
Well, let me just mention it again:
IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT TO USE THE RIGHT SIZED WRENCH!!!
Seriously. Really important.
This is especially true of guitars and basses that use an hex/allen wrench.
Read More
