Truss rod adjustment

Turning the truss rod nut to change the neck's relief, which is the only way to alter how straight the neck is under string tension.

The rod is turned clockwise to pull the neck backwards and reduce relief, or anticlockwise to let string tension bow it forward, and it should be done in small increments with the effect allowed to settle before another quarter turn. Over-tightening risks stripping the nut or the anchor, and a rod already at its limit indicates the neck will not respond further. It is usually done with the strings at pitch and the neck checked with a feeler gauge.

Example: a guitar buzzing in the middle of the neck and back-bowed will need its truss rod loosened slightly, not the bridge raised.

Truss rod adjustment

See also