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Hey just looking for any tips, tricks, things to consider when trying to remove my old nut. It appear to be in there pretty solid, and this is a first for me. I’m more of an acoustic player, however I bought a cheap Squire Strat and I’m in the process of doing some upgrades… something to keep me busy during this COVID season. Today or this weekend I’ll be upgrading the stock Nut to a Tusq XL.
Any info will be greatly appreciated.
I noticed my Truss Rod appears to be turning extremely hard (I haven’t put a lot of torque on it.. I’m not sure how easy or hard this should be to turn. So if you have any experience… I’m all ears.
Thanks
"Love the life you live. Live the life you love" - Bob Marley
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You’ll need a straight edge before you start doing anything with the truss rod, you can buy a dedicated notched straight edge or use a spirit level, what you are looking for when using a straight edge is how flat your fretboard is, you dont want to be seeing any daylight between the straight edge, frets/fretboard and you dont want the straight edge rocking..
Check that 1st off to see where the neck is at, if there is a gap then the truss needs loosened off, ” that’s turning it left( as you look down the headstalk), If your straight edge, notched straight edge is rocking the the truss needs tightened ( right turn)..There is a process to fitting a new nut which will take me ages to type out but i recommend you check out “Dan Erlewine” on youtube for top class guidance… best of luck and happy new guitar day..OH BTW if your Truss is too tight, then dont try force it. You snap it then your in trouble.
..Billy..
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Thanks for the advice and the video link. I’ll definitely check it out!.. good stuff. ..and yeah that is exactly what I’ll be using for my straight edge (Spirit Level)
"Love the life you live. Live the life you love" - Bob Marley
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I can sight down my neck like a rifle, and it’s straight as an arrow. So I’ve never had to adjust the truss rod on my Strat or my Tele. If I need a minor adjustment, I just raise or lower the strings a bit at the bridge.
Sunjamr Steve
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Well I adjusted the truss rod (had to actually turn clockwise to level the neck (reduce the gap). Turning Counter Clockwise actually created more gap. I can’t turn the truss rod anymore (appears to be maxed out in the clockwise direction). I don’t have a .002 feeler gauge (closest I have is .0015). I suspect there is approx .002 gap from Fret 4 to fret 13. I have a gap of .0015 at frets 3 and 14, 15. I can’t fit .0015 under Frets 16 and above or at Frets 1 and 2. So this is as flat as its going to get. According to Dan Erlewine I should be shooting for .002, so I feel I’m there. Thoughts?
"Love the life you live. Live the life you love" - Bob Marley
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ok well… nevermind it came out easier than I expected! Now the truss rod issue!
Truss rods can be a bit testy if they’ve never been adjusted before. Check for rust around the adjustment nut
I’ve had to slip something like a nut driver over the Allen wrench to provide more torque to break a truss rod loose initially but if it doesn’t readily turn with something like that on it, don’t crank on it. I’ll usually use only 2 fingers on the nut driver handle so I can limit the amount of pressure that I put on the truss rod. If you break the truss, you’ll likely be replacing the neck unless you want to do surgery on the neck in your woodshop
Also try loosening the strings before you try to adjusting the truss rod. That might help as well
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Thanks Steve! I really wish I didn’t have to adjust this truss rod because quite frankly it sort of scares me… It’s not turning easy and I dont’ want to strip it or break it… but there’s just a little buzzing I have to get rid of ! its bugging the sh** out of me! and I think its going to require a truss rod adjustment
"Love the life you live. Live the life you love" - Bob Marley
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Thanks GnLGuy! That helps to know I should be able to turn the truss rod that easily. I’m going to try a a few things tonight. I’ll let you know how I made out… hopefully I won’t be here tomorrow asking people if they have a spare neck to sell. LOL.
"Love the life you live. Live the life you love" - Bob Marley
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Thanks GnLGuy! That helps to know I should be able to turn the truss rod that easily. I’m going to try a a few things tonight. I’ll let you know how I made out… hopefully I won’t be here tomorrow asking people if they have a spare neck to sell. LOL.
Cory
Saw your Bob Marley quote and thought you might like this. It was written by Willie Dixon……..
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Sounds plenty flat to me! I like .007 relief at the 12th fret. You have way less. Don’ worry about that little bit. You could even back it off a bunch.
You don’t actually need a straight edge although it’s nice if you do necks a lot.
Capo the first fret and hold a string down at the last fret. There’s your straight edge. I measure from the top of the fret to the string, at the 12th I have the .007. If the neck was perfectly straight I would have none.
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