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From: 300guitars
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  • what if you have a guitar with a floyd rose like my epiphone les paul plustop pro/fx?

  • Best truss rod adjustment video on youtube, good job.

  • Do you need to adjust it when just changing the height of action? Or changing the gauge of string? Im planning to use 11's from 10's, Epiphone LP 100.

  • Very good information appreciate it thank you good work

  • PENIS

  • PENIS

  • PENIS

  • PENIS

  • I love your videos and teaching method :)

  • I just adjusted my truss rodd before the season changed. so since the heaters are on again I had to adjust it again. But I did it just a bit to much. Is it bad for your trsuss rod to adjust it frequently?

  • You are the best at explaining this stuff on youtube.

  • thanks for the great vids.

  • Hi, what type of truss rod for a guitar Greco Japan (1974) Is this the same direction as the Gibson? or the reverse? Thank you for your informative video.

  • hey billy,,your the best,!!!! my guitar only buzzes on the 2nd ,3rd and 4th frets ,,,,any ideas,,,,,,

  • @termvegas It sounds like your truss rod is adjusted too tight and is creating a little backbow. This will give you some buzzing on the first few frets. Go to my site 300guitars and get me new Guitar Set Up Guide ebook. It will help you tremendously!! -Billy

  • @300guitars Hey Billy, is there any way to make a sound of the chinese 100 bux electro guitar better?

  • @300guitars Hey man My guitar has a slight buzz on the HIGH E 2nd Fret and LOW E Second fret...also the neck seems to be a bit bowed away from the strings...what should i do!

  • @termvegas PUSSYYYY!!!!

  • You seem like a dude who knows whats up

  • @RandyRhoads72 Thanks man! I like to help.....hit me up any time! -Billy

  • You've got my vote for the best guitar tech. tutorial on YouTube!!!

    The process of truss rod adjustment has never be explained so clearly!

  • Is the principle the same for a neck with dual trussrods? I have a Brian May Red Special that needs adjusting, but I know nothing about dual trusses!

  • @sentforth5 Same principal but each rod will affect its own side of the neck. Generally speaking that is. -Billy

  • @sentforth5

    Thanks, Billy. It worked like a dream and she is perfect, now. YOU DA MAN!

  • @sentforth5 Glad I could help. I have a Guitar Set Up guide ebook coming out that goes into lots of detail about setting your guitar up. If you visit my website (300guitars) around September 15th it should be available. Hit me up any time!! -Billy

  • @300 guitars hey man great tutorial

    i got a question i lowered my guitar action (tune o matic) and its killing my sustain after 13 and 14 frets what i want to know is

    can i get any solution to this via adjusting the truss rod or i have to make the action higher again which i dont want

  • righty tighty lefty loosy. but is this based on looking from the top to bottom of the guitar? or the opposite?

  • @pcgamezoid Always looking at the adjustment. So in this case at the headstock. On a vintage Fender where the rod adjusts at the heel you would go by the righty/lefty looking at the heel. -Billy

  • Surprised you didn't feel the need to re-tune between adjustments; great video, thanks for sharing.

  • nice job

  • Very nice. Clearly done with a perfect dose of common sense. That said...I have a 67 Gibson EB-0 bass with about a 3/64" plus, underbow. Its enough to be irritating though playable. The bass has been sitting for almost 40 years so I'm not surprised. After doing a bit of reading It seems that the truss rod is a 'one way' type. No 5/16 hex socket at the rod end. I'm tempted to give the nut a tweak but thought it would be a good idea to get some advise if possible. Any thoughts?

  • @GHOF62 I would just basically follow the video. Turn the adjustment a little at a time clockwise. about 1/8 of a turn at a time and see how the neck responds. -Billy

  • @300guitars My thanks. As it turned out the truss rod nut was not applying any pressure at all. Got a truss rod tool from STEWMAC. It took a little more than 1/4 turn and the neck is now slightly short of flat...much better. No buzz. Been starting to re-learn and I'm pleased as how quickly its coming back. Love your site!

  • @GHOF62 Glad it all worked out. Contact me any time..!! -Billy

  • @300guitars Hi, none of my wrenches seem to fit the truss rod. What do I do? Is there a specific kit I should buy for this?

  • @mrmaybe What kind of guitar? Is your adjustment metric perhaps? -Billy

  • @300guitars Hi, it's a jackson ke2. Since I bought the item used, it didn't come with the wrenches for it. The ones I have at home don't fit it.

  • @mrmaybe Sounds like you need to visit a hardware store to find the right size key. Then you can adjust the neck. -Billy

  • Be very careful. If it feels like it's too tight--like you need a lotta effort. Stop. If you hear creaking and cracking, stop [lol].

  • that's nice and what's more important VERY USEFULL VIDEO. THX

  • you remind me of Bill Graham

    cooool!

  • Thanks

  • This is the most straightforward explanation yet. Thanks.

  • hey i have a yamaha pacifica and the neck has a convex curve i had it loosened but its still convexed

  • not comparable to expertvillage guy... this is far better... =) thanks billy...

  • thank you sir!

  • i once allowed my wife to adjust my rod.........what a mess!!!!!!

  • pretty god... (the other guys from "expert" village are just hilarious...). You are a Pro

  • COOL very2 useful...thx

  • if your underbowed, is that how you get a shit load of buzz. cause i have a lot of buzz and i can't get rid of it.

  • 3:09 THATS WHAT SHE SAID

  • @xJellystix LOL..!!! -Billy

  • @xJellystix

    i dont usually reply to comments but that is toooo damn funny hahaha

  • what if you do the hand manual test like your vid shows....and the strings are laying on the 12th fret?? AND the truss rod feels super loose cuz its already been loosened? wonder if letting it sit for a few days with truss rod loose would help it bow forward a bit? anyone?

  • What if: you Loosen it Counter clockwise .....and the Rod becomes very loose. And yet the neck still needs to bow Forward a slight bit more???? My rod is Finger loose yet i still have a slight bit more bow I need to gain, should I press the neck forward manually gently maybe to help?? if anyone could plase tell me how to fix this. I dont need much forward bow,just a little,yet trhe rod has became loose cuz i loosened it yesterday.

  • @ashvin79 Sounds like the rod was 100% slack. How straight is the neck? You may need to have a little relief and maybe then a fret dress and set-up. -Billy

  • @300guitars thanks for replying Billy. The neck now is fairly straight. I have about 1mm between the 8th fret and 3rd G string when held down at the 1st and 22nd fret. I wasn't very sure about going further clockwise and giving more relief if it would create avoidable damage. What is a fret dress Billy? Is 1mm gap too much? And the low E string buzz . . bridge adjustment?

  • @ashvin79 Sounds like now you need to adjust the bridge. Raise the action a bit. 1mm gap may be still to much...every guitar is different. Try to get it a bit straighter and raise the bridge.

    S fret dress is when a tech will level all the frets and then re-crown or "dress" them. Then polish and set the guitar up again. Billy

  • @insidedrivers Will do Billy, thanks a ton. You're super.

  • Awesome

  • @SIRONEDRAGON Thank you..!!! -Billy

  • @hendro31 Have you tried adjusting the truss rod? -Billy

  • HI billy, i have an Epiphone Sheraton with me at the moment..

    The problem in this guitar is that it causes buzzing sounds when i fret the 1st fret up to 4th fret of the A string

    And when i fret staring from 3rd fret up to 9th fret of Low E string..

    do you have any suggestion?

    Cheers

  • Hey Billy, thanks for the concise and helpful videos! You did say any questions, so here is a strange one, maybe. What is the wrist watch you are wearing?

    Keep up the great work!

    SS

  • @ses717 Hahah..!!! LOL..!! I got that watch from Target for about $10.00. I don't even know the name brand..!! Target may still have them but I dont know... If you go to Target to check it out let me know. That one doesn't work any more and I could use a new one..!! -Billy

  • great video mate

  • @MrBIOSkunk Thanks..! Always feel free to ask me any questions...I am happy to help if I can..! -Billy

  • men i have a question.. i have a les paul and a professional luthier told me that the truss rod have a big problem, he said that when he adjust the screw of the truss rod to put it straight the screw was not doing his work, he put it straight but after some time the neck was curved again because the screw was not holding the truss road to prevent it moves again.. is this possible?? because im thinking in return it back to the store.

    thanks

  • @rockboy8812 If the truss rod is broken or defective it will not adjust the neck. If it is new and has a warranty I'd take it back where I purchased it....please let me know what happens... -Billy

  • @300guitars i will call guitar center to see what they can do.. i hope they change it for one new because i pay a lot for this guitar.

  • @rockboy8812 Please keep me posted and let me know what happens..!! -Billy

  • many thanks! But if I manage to tighten it, isn't there any chance that it will be back to where it was originally because of temperatures throughout the year? Or will the trussrod simply prevent this from happening?

  • hey Billy ,love your tutorials, theyve answered any problems ive previously had.Keep up the good work dude. Cheers from Melbourne Australia.

  • @frankm5805 Thank you very much...!!! -Billy

  • thanks for the info now it makes sense :)

  • I did not see you loosen the locking nut; also are you referring to the strings being under tension?

  • I tightened the nut and yes the strings were under tension. Feel free to ask more questions! -Billy

  • hey my friend uses alot of ibanez guitars. he uses alan wrenches/keys to adjust his truss rod.

    now we just put 11 gauge strings onto my gibson sg, it used to have 10s. when we went to adjust the truss rod it looked very strange and no alan keys seemed to fit. any idea? do gibson use a select tool that only they have or something?

    any ideas on how to help would be very much appreciated

    thank you

    shugo541

  • @shugo541 Yeah i just used this video to spruce up my SG... The SG doesn't have an alan head truss it is like a nut on a bolt and gibson has a special tool that fits it. You might be able to fit a small socket on it... its like a 6mm or 7mm...

  • when phill put the rule on the frets is looking for gaps on the fret board right? thx.

  • That is correct...looking for the gap. -Billy

  • Billy .. good job best video i have seen..my epi les paul has some slight relief and i want to make the neck straight. like my Gibson LP. I want to take the Truss Rod nut off and grease it up but it is hard to loosen up.. dont think i can hurt is while loosening it up.. what say you? Take it to the a repair guy?

  • Thanks for the kind words! If I remember correctly the Gibson nut and Epi nut are different, correct? Can you turn the Epi nut or is it stuck? -Billy

  • not sure what my Gibson looks like.. never adjusted it.. but the EPI is an alen nut (hex). when i try to loosen it.. it is stiff and makes a bit of a squeak.. like its a bit stuck.. and i don't want to keep cranking it.

  • I think some creaking or squeaking when loosening is ok. I would try to loosen it and tighten it to adjust it where you want it. Try the loosening/tightening a few times. Not too loose so you disengage the nut and not too tight.... Let me know what happens!! -Billy

  • @sydeshowbob i recently changed my strings the same gauge i was using before then suddenly noticed all the strings were touching the frets , but was playing ok that very day can you shed some light on this plz.

  • I am not a guitar tech.. but in all my years of string changing. i never had this happen.. for sure check you neck to see how straight it is .. use Billy's video here to help.. I try to get mine straight as i can and then do a setup. what kind of guitar

  • @sydeshowbob Cheers for reply its an seagull acoustic , since my last comment one of my back braces has fell of its a nightmare lol guitar is falling apart. Well i remedied the bow by putting 10s on it just like i was using.

  • kewl.. i love Seagulls.. i have Dan Erlewine's repair book.. let me know what kind of prob you have and maybe i can scan the chapters and email them to you... Or Billy here can lend a hand as well..

  • @sydeshowbob How do you re glue a cracked back brace it fits snug back on although its cracked do i glue it or have to completely replace it. Is the bridge saddle meant to just slip out , what size of alan key is used for the truss rod. lol

  • hey billy, great video - thank u....Im sure its beyond the scope of what u can do here but what do u suggest if its to tight or "creaking"..you mention bring it to your repair guy but im trying to avoid that and become my own repair guy....any recomendation

  • What you do (if you can) is take the truss rod adjustment nut out. Then apply some lithium grease or vaseline to the threads and the bottom of the nut that goes in the hole of the neck. This will reduce creaking. I wanted to make sure in the video that people don't damage their guitars so that's why I said to go to a tech......disclaimer of sorts. Let me know how it goes. Happy to answer any questions. -Billy

  • hey billy when you checking to see if the ruler rocks...are you pushing the ruler down to see if it dips as to see if the neck is un balanced or what?

  • I am checking to see if the ruler rocks on a high fret. Like a playground see-saw type of movement. Let me know if this helps and keep me posted! -Billy

  • Great video Billy, best one i've found so far on truss rod adjustment. I see that you reply so i had a quick question - at 3:50 you show the 'hillbilly technique' of feeling for play between the first fret and the fret where it meets the body. What kind of play are you looking for there? should it have any play there? or be tight to the fretboard?

  • Thank you!!!!!

    The "hillbilly" technique..I forgot about that. I hope I didn't offend anyone.......I amp part rocka-hillbilly. Ask any of my friends!! Anyway..

    You should have a slight gap. I should say something like .012 or something. It depends on the guitar. The less gap without buzz the faster the guitar will play. I like very little gap. See what works for you on your particular guitar. Let me know if this helps and if you need more info!! -Billy

  • nice vid. good job.

  • Thanks!! Please let me know if you have any other guitar questions. I am happy to help!! -Billy

  • Nice job, Billy, very informative. I like how you adjust a little at a time, without going past where you want it.

  • Thank you very much! I hope this has helped you out! Please always feel free to contact me if you have any questions.....ok? -Billy

  • have you ever worked on a guitar with no truss rod?

  • Yes. I actually have a Tele with no rod and owned two others. There is not much you can do when the weather changes. Why do you ask? Please ask any questions and I will try to help you out! -Billy

  • i have a kay guitar speed demon style it has no trussrod 19 fret neck, how? would i adjust the neck to the guitar.

  • billy?i have a yamaha rgx 320,where is the truss rod adjustment nut?

  • There is a small plate just forward of the neck pickup mounted with screws. Remove the plate and you will find the truss rod adjustment. I never worked on one so you may need a different tool. It could be an allen wrench though. Let me know if you have any questions and I will help..! -Billy

  • Hey man,

    I have a PRS McCarty. are the rules the same for my guitar?

  • Yes, same rules. I have found that PRS guitars set up very easily and the necks adjust nicely. Have fun and feel free to ask any questions! -Billy

  • Thanks for the informative video! This kind of adjustment always freaked me out to do by myself but thanks to you my guitar is playing better than ever.

  • Wow, great!! Glad I could help! Please feel free to ask any questions. I am happy to help out!! -Billy

  • My truss rod is different... I can't use an allen wrench... What do I use for that?

  • What kind of guitar is it? You may need a small wrench instead of a hex key. Let me know what guitar it is and I will try to help. -Billy

  • Thanks, Billy!

    My Washburn P2 was in dire need, and I, too, was turning the wrong direction!

    Your instructions are simple for chowderheads like myself...20 years of playing, and I never understood these adjustments.

  • Wow, I am SO glad I could help!!! Thanks for the kind words! -Billy

  • subbed! You rule, dude!

  • Hi Billy! I just got a 2001 Les Paul Custom that was fitted with a .11-.49 strings set. I replaced it with a .10-.46 one and of course there's a lot of buzz now, expecially on the lower strings. I suppose that neck must be released a litte... What should I do? Do 1/4 turn to the right?

  • No, try a 1/4 turn to the left to loosen the rod. Your neck is probably back-bowed because of the down shift in string gauge/tension. -Billy

  • Yeah Billy,

    I bought a new ES-165 Herb Ellis. It had heavy strings and high action. I lowered the action but was still not satified. So I tried adjusting the neck myself. I was turning the wrong way.  I went back and tightened the otther way just past snug.

    Man, I can't beleive the difference. So easy to play even with 12's. Thanks for the clear cut instructions. My hands would go numb and cramp on this guitar, now it's effortless. I'm so happy!

  • Great! I'm glad the video helped. It's really pretty easy when you have a basic understanding how the truss rod works. Glad I could help!!

  • You can also sight down the neck from looking from the headstock down to see if the neck has a back bow etc. That would be probably the main way of checking your neck.

  • Yes, you can absolutely do that as well. However you would be surprised how many players that have never done that do not know what to look for. It is hard to explain it as well. Good point though!

  • how much do the adjustment help with the string-fret buzz?

  • It can help alot if your truss rod is too loose or too tight. If you are comfortable try to adjust it. If the wrench is very stiff or you hear some creaking then take it to a tech.

  • Very thanks!, :), i'm doing it like you.

  • Good stuff.

  • Thanks man! Good info and very informative!

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