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Thread: How do I adjust the truss rod?

 

Lakewood guitars have an adjustable truss rod which is located under the fret board. The 5mm adjusting hex-nut is accessible via an aperture in the brace between the sound hole and fret board. Adjusting the truss rod affects the relief (bend) of the fret board. When correctly set, the fret board will have a slight, concave bend. The truss rod’s purposes is to stabilize the neck and fret board but should not, as a rule, be used to adjust the action.

To adjust the truss rod, you will need the following:

  • Capo
  • 5mm, long arm hex wrench (Allen key)
  • Feeler gauge, 0.1 mm thick


To adjust the truss rod, proceed as follows:

1. Place the capo on the 1st fret.

2. Fret the bass E string at the 14th fret.

3. Insert the feeler gauge at the 7th fret between the bass E string and the fret wire (img. 2)


A. If the feeler gauge fits into this gap snugly, the truss rod is correctly set up.
B. If the gap is too narrow, the truss rod needs to be loosened. Start by loosening one quarter turn (anti-clockwise) and then check the gap again with the feeler gauge. Repeat the process if required.

C. If the gap is too large, the truss rod needs to be tightened. Start by tightening one quarter turn (clockwise) and then check the gap again with the feeler gauge. Repeat the process if required.


Problems and Questions

1. You are unsure of your ability to make the adjustements.
Answer: Contact your dealer or distributor here.

2. You don‘t have the necessary tools for the adjusting the truss rod.
Answer: Contact your dealer or distributor here. If you live with the EU you can order the correct key and feeler gauge via email from Lakewood. Don't forget to tell us your postal address.

3. You sense that the truss rod adjustment nut is hard to turn.
Answer: Contact your dealer or distributor here. If you want to talk to Lakewood directly, use our contact form, please.

4. There is a creaking or clicking noise when adjusting the truss rod.
Answer: This is normal. Don't worry about it.

5. Despite adjustment, you cannot achieve the required gap between fret wire and string.
Answer: Repeat the process again and, if you are unable to achieve a satisfactory result, contact your dealer or Lakewood direct.

6. Can it be that the neck is convex (curved backwards)?
Answer: This is unusual but possible. This can be corrected by first setting the  the truss rod adjustment nut into the ‚nil‘ position (loosening) and then tightening it in the opposite direction (anti-clockwise) a quarter turn.

7. Can there be sonic vibrations if the truss rod is not tightened sufficiently?
Answer: Yes this can happen and for this reason it is important for the truss rod to be tightened at least minimally.

8. Can the truss rod be damaged during adjustment?
Answer: If the truss rod nut is over-tightened, the thread can be damaged.

9. Should the strings be loosened during truss rod adjustment?
Answer: This only applies (or is recommended) to adjustment of 12 string guitars.

Found in topic: Care and maintenance

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