If i attempt to adjust a truss rod on an acoustic, will deaths follow?

  • Thread starter Thread starter romanianreaper
  • Start date Start date
njshred said:
You are being literal, he is needing to adjust for humidity changes.
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It's an important distinction. Especially when communicating with others and trying to understand exactly what is occurring, imo. Action can only be changed by the saddle and nut. Relief can cause too high of action. String gauge changes can affect action, but to actually adjust action you can only do it from modifications to the nut and/or saddle. In this case it's an acoustic so not only are they not on the fly adjustable, but the intonation will also be off when not set to "factory" standards.
 
NowYou'rePlayingWithPower said:
It's an important distinction. Especially when communicating with others and trying to understand exactly what is occurring, imo. Action can only be changed by the saddle and nut. Relief can cause too high of action. String gauge changes can affect action, but to actually adjust action you can only do it from modifications to the nut and/or saddle. In this case it's an acoustic so not only are they not on the fly adjustable, but the intonation will also be off when not set to "factory" standards.
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And that is a whole other can of worms someone who has never even adjusted a truss rod should probably not attempt to fuck with.
 
Smash said:
No it isnt. But if you close your eyes and walk toward colorado, when you open your eyes, the mountains will have come to you
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Dude, why would anyone want to give ANYONE the advice to lower the action by adjusting the TR ? It's bad info. Just turn it 1/4 and check ? Check what ? Relief is not action. If what he means is he needs to adjust relief then someone should clarify to him that this is what he is doing.
 
I have never made 1/4 turn for a seasonal-temp-humidity adjustment. To me that would be a massive adjustment.
 
Floyd Eye said:
And that is a whole other can of worms someone who has never even adjusted a truss rod should probably not attempt to fuck with.
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Maybe not on their prized Martin to start, but I feel that everyone should learn these things so that they're not paying someone else and that they understand what is happening with each change. Even if someone has a tech that does everything, still def should understand how to communicate what you want so it doesn't end up being a back and forth or disappointment.
 
NowYou'rePlayingWithPower said:
Maybe not on their prized Martin to start, but I feel that everyone should learn these things so that they're not paying someone else and that they understand what is happening with each change. Even if someone has a tech that does everything, still def should understand how to communicate what you want so it doesn't end up being a back and forth or disappointment.
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Oh I totally I agree. But if you have never adjusted a truss rod, actually lowering the action by filing nut slots or saddle slots on an acoustic guitar is far above your skill set. So any advice I am giving is in response to him asking how to adjust a truss rod, not "Teach me how to lower the action on a guitar with a non adjustable bridge". If you know what I mean.
 
Ok, let's everyone calm down, lol. I did not know that the action needs to be adjusted via the saddle and nut. I'll send pictures here in a bit.

I just wanted to make my acoustic a bit easier to play. It is fine as is but thought some slight adjustments would lower the action and make it a bit better.
 
Smash said:
Man. 20 years ago, it was such a great place too
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I used to hunt Elk and Muley there every year. My uncle lived in Denver the whole time I was growing up. They totally fucked that up though. Started going to Jackson Hole.
 
romanianreaper said:
Ok, let's everyone calm down, lol. I did not know that the action needs to be adjusted via the saddle and nut. I'll send pictures here in a bit.

I just wanted to make my acoustic a bit easier to play. It is fine as is but thought some slight adjustments would lower the action and make it a bit better.
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Look down the neck from headstock to body or vice versa
 
romanianreaper said:
Ok, let's everyone calm down, lol. I did not know that the action needs to be adjusted via the saddle and nut. I'll send pictures here in a bit.

I just wanted to make my acoustic a bit easier to play. It is fine as is but thought some slight adjustments would lower the action and make it a bit better.
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Well determining relief is a different thing than action brother. You only learn these things by asking and trying it. Like Lisa said, not on a Martin though.
 
Smash said:
Look down the neck from headstock to body or vice versa
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Yep. The fretboard should look pretty flat until you get up to the first few frets and only slightly bowed forward there. At least on most guitars.
 
Smash said:
If you see it dipping in middle, then you need can straighten it up and that will make you feel like your action is lower. Some people play with a straight neck. But you shoouldnt have it bowing towards strings
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IME the best set up guitars are those with no buzzing and a very low action with little or no relief.
 
Also, when you chang strings, if the saddle falls out, then you can sand it down if the action being high is related to that. It is simple and you can do a little at a time
 
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