Okay, my guitar is currently setup for 10s, but I'm switching to 11s. The neck has a little bow in it when sighting down the fretboard, but I have been told that's normal and shouldn't be flat. Anyways, should I have to adjust my truss rod for switching from 10s to 11s? If so, how do I adjust it? I can't seem to fit a screwdriver into that little hole in the pickguard, I guess I'd have to take the pickguard off. Which direction does the neck bend when I tighten the truss rod? When loosening? A detailed description on how to adjust it correctly for 11s would be much appreciated. Oh, and I don't have a feeler gauge right now, I can get one tomorrow or the day after tomorrow..
Directions on how to adjust truss rod '62 Strat?
- Thread starter Zultan
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links like Ebay, Amazon, and others.
Its alot easier to remove the neck or remove the pickguard and make a special tool. WHat you wanna do is press down the big e at the 1st and last frets and look at the distance between the top of the 8th fret and the bottom of the E string. It should be around .012 or just slightly larger than the 11 you plan to use for a small e.
Look at that distance and if it seems too large you turn the truss rod to the right or clockwise when looking from the end of the neck not the headstock.
Look at that distance and if it seems too large you turn the truss rod to the right or clockwise when looking from the end of the neck not the headstock.
By all means string the guitar up with the elevens and see how you like it. You're just as likely to have binding issues with the nut as to need to adjust the truss rod.
With a '62 in great playing condition currently, if it was me, I would not fool with the truss rod nor would I go filing on the nut, tens ain't bad for a strat. an '82 strat, go ahead. A 1962? What will you do if the truss rod messes up?
Bubbanov
With a '62 in great playing condition currently, if it was me, I would not fool with the truss rod nor would I go filing on the nut, tens ain't bad for a strat. an '82 strat, go ahead. A 1962? What will you do if the truss rod messes up?
Bubbanov
GTO
Tele-Holic
Here is a link to the Stratocaster setup guide
(link removed)
You may find you don't need to make any adjustment, so put on your strings and leave it overnight to settle before measuring the neck relief.
You only need to lift the neck clear of the pocket to get at the truss rod. So, put a capo at the first fret to hold the strings on, detune and count how many turns, say six each tuner. Undo the neck screws lift the neck, do 1/4 turn only (never more until you have measured the result) of the truss rod clockwise for heavier strings. Screw the neck back on, make sure the strings line up each side of the fretboard (if not undo the neck screws a little and move the neck). Retune by counting six turns on each tuner and you will be pretty much close to where you started. Fine tune, then measure the neck relief as described in the Fender instructions.
You may find it will either not be enough adjustment you made, so wait overnight and see if it settles, or to much, in which case you need to back it off. Either way always measure again the following day.
Doing it with the capo only takes two minutes, well OK not the first time, so it isn't a big chore.
(link removed)
You may find you don't need to make any adjustment, so put on your strings and leave it overnight to settle before measuring the neck relief.
You only need to lift the neck clear of the pocket to get at the truss rod. So, put a capo at the first fret to hold the strings on, detune and count how many turns, say six each tuner. Undo the neck screws lift the neck, do 1/4 turn only (never more until you have measured the result) of the truss rod clockwise for heavier strings. Screw the neck back on, make sure the strings line up each side of the fretboard (if not undo the neck screws a little and move the neck). Retune by counting six turns on each tuner and you will be pretty much close to where you started. Fine tune, then measure the neck relief as described in the Fender instructions.
You may find it will either not be enough adjustment you made, so wait overnight and see if it settles, or to much, in which case you need to back it off. Either way always measure again the following day.
Doing it with the capo only takes two minutes, well OK not the first time, so it isn't a big chore.
Clive Hugh
Tele-Afflicted
When a truss rod is fitted it curves around, the slot is cut that way, so when you tighten up it tries to pull straight and takes the relief out.
I tend to agree with Bubbanov, if you had to ask you obviously don't have experience, after all these years the nut could be siezed and you could end up damaging or even breaking the rod at the threads, which has been done before. Then you are in deep s-------.
Best bet is to take it to someone who knows what they are doing, a '62 is worth big bucks so look after it.
Clive
I tend to agree with Bubbanov, if you had to ask you obviously don't have experience, after all these years the nut could be siezed and you could end up damaging or even breaking the rod at the threads, which has been done before. Then you are in deep s-------.
Best bet is to take it to someone who knows what they are doing, a '62 is worth big bucks so look after it.
Clive
sa paine
Tele-Holic
Why do I have the impression that you have a 62 re-issue and not a 1962 strat??? Or is this a real 62' ???
I would also advise taking it to a pro if you've never done this before.
Scott
I would also advise taking it to a pro if you've never done this before.
Scott
GTO
Tele-Holic
This quote is just the blind leading the blind.
Doing a setup is easy for all but the few people who have no common sense. If you have the common sense you will learn to understand guitar techs are not a breed of mechanical geniuses (generally speaking), and that anything that can be adjusted on a guitar is possible if only the effort is made.
mellecaster
Former Member
A Big Ole +1
Clive Hugh
Tele-Afflicted
Maybe I am wrong but I have always been under the impression that the slot is not flat profile but causes the truss rod to bend (I got that from stewmac)and the tightening puts pressure in the centre that forces the wood to give.
I take exception to "the blind leading the blind" I have been repairing guitars, refretting and set ups for 40 years, I am a machinist, I have made fret levellers to within 1/10000 " on surface grinders and most likely deal in tolerances every day that you've never heard of.
So don't judge till you have all the facts.
Clive
GTO
Tele-Holic
If you mean that the rebate in the neck that the truss rod sits in is curved, then yes, but so what? What does that have to do with adjusting it to get the desired effect?
It is perfectly possible to tell somebody how to adjust the tappets on a car engine without them needing to know what they actually do. And likewise the basics of guitar setup. All the end result should be is that it works. Given that Zultan would have to start somewhere in learning something about guitar setup, a simple 'cause and effect' example couldn't be better than fiddling with the truss rod. When he knows what that achieves, he can later fully appreciate the reason a neck is routed with a curved rebate.
And while I appreciate you may indeed have 40 years experience, I have never held with the idea that simple mechanical knowledge should be withheld and used as a mystical power to be levied over other people. Caution is one thing, mumbo jumbo another. Anyway, name a tolerance and I'll tell you if I have heard of it, I have built championship winning race cars, so don't think your 1/10000" impresses me.
Clive Hugh
Tele-Afflicted
I never said that it should be withheld, the complete opposite, I was explaining how it works so he would understand what was happening when he used it, no mumbo jumbo. My tolerences were not intended to impress you, at my age I could care a less. But if he is unsure he is still better to go to somebody who does know and learn from them. That is how we all learn, from others, sure you can learn by yourself but why reinvent the wheel.
GTO
Tele-Holic
And a typical busy guitar tech is going to immediately start work on the guitar when he takes it in, and show him what he is doing, and explain how he can do it himself? I can't see that happening, ....but the world is a funny place
So I'd say it was down to Fenders own setup guide, Dan Erlewines books, and TDPRI members who can genuinely help with a DIY setup. It is definitely possible for a beginner to learn more reading odd posts on TDPRI in one day than they could ever learn in ten years of normal playing. And specific questions nearly always get a very clear answer that amounts to 'good practice' by any standards.
