How to Adjust a Guitar Neck: Easy Step-by-Step Guide

***Update***

I've misplaced the decimal point in the neck relief tables! They should read:

7.25": 0.012"
9.5" to 12": 0.010"
15" to 17": 0.008"

***

In this video, I'll show you how to measure and set the correct amount of neck relief by adjusting your guitar's truss rod.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:11 Setup advice
00:20 Tools required
00:29 Caution on truss rod adjustments
00:50 Measuring the neck relief
02:14 How to adjust a truss rod
03:03 Final thoughts

[ConorRocksYT]

Update:

I've misplaced the decimal point in the neck relief tables! They should read:

7.25": 0.012"
9.5" to 12": 0.010"
15" to 17": 0.008"

Thanks to @tobiusmanning7336 for pointing this out!

[ConorRocksYT]

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:11 Setup advice
00:20 Tools required
00:29 Caution on truss rod adjustments
00:50 Measuring the neck relief
02:14 How to adjust a truss rod
03:03 Final thoughts

[MartyMcDonnald]

You just saved me 100 Euros man!
Thank you!!!

[bigguys]

Awesome video. Actually helped me get rid of that nasty buzzing thanks man

[joecantu]

Awesome, Great Demo, solved my issues, Thanx

[coldgravy]

what does “press down on the fret where the neck meets the body” means?

[fullmetalfunk]

so when i'm inserting the feeler gauge between the string and fret wire, i don't want to follow the radius of the fret, correct? i want to go completely parallel to the string?

[socialmeaslesinpartnership]

Good! You can do all the stuff with a capo and gauges etc if you like you need is the wrench.

Tune your guitar to pitch, lay it across your lap, access the truss rod and give it a one-eighth turn. Clockwise tightens the rod, anti-clockwise loosens it.

Take a look at the neck straightness, the action and try it out. Nobody needs the factory settings anyway - even if you have them. Usually, for most people, the neck should be very slightly (very, very slightly) bowed as though the strings are pulling it. For some - dead straight.

It's the first thing you do in setting up an electric guitar and it's the easiest. Just don't get violent with it - eighth turn only at a time, give it a moment to settle between adjustments and re-tune it. When you're happy with it - job done!

If it looks OK but doesn't play properly, the next thing is to look at the nut. That (I'm afraid) is a bitch.

[mnewln]

What about compound radius? Mine is 9.5 to 14.

[billmaul]

I believe the rotation to decrease the gap is by pushing the key away from you not towards you. That how it is on my Fender...

[blissfulmisery]

People saying be careful with a truss rod you'll damage your guitar... Have you ever actually damaged one??? 99% of you will say no. It's not as easy as people claim. Don't be scared to adjust it.

[gokhanayvazoglu]

Is it necessery to put something in between bridge and body while I’m adjusting truss road?

[sonn]

Are guitar neck suppose to be visually, slighty front bowed? Cause when i tried straightening it, fret buzz appear all over the fretboard

[DougHinVA]

...or use a MM steel scale at about midway up the neck (fret 5-7) at or barely under 1MM gap fret top to rule measurement at 1MM....i

[tobiusmanning]

0.08 - 0.12" of neck relief? Shouldn't it be 0.008 - 0.012". I've always set as low as plays well, regardless of the radius. Mahalo

[myvirus]

im so fucking tired of adjusting this shit. Just make solid steel guitar necks please!

[KelvynTaylor]

For the truss rod, towards/away from you doesn't work for lefties - it's reversed!