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Dual truss rod adjustment tips

J

JustDavid

Oct 21, 2008
2,133
61
Halifax, NS, Canada
#1
I'd say I'm past beginner level on setups, & have the proper tools.

And it's time for the hard one. Dual truss rod on a BTB 6.

Tips & techniques?

My guess is to adjust both in tandem (like 1/4 turn each at the same time), measure relief (capo on 1st, fret on last, feeler gauge on 8th) on both sides initially & at every step, & go running to a GOOD pro if things seem weird.
 
#3
JustDavid said:
I'd say I'm past beginner level on setups, & have the proper tools.

And it's time for the hard one. Dual truss rod on a BTB 6.

Tips & techniques?

My guess is to adjust both in tandem (like 1/4 turn each at the same time), measure relief (capo on 1st, fret on last, feeler gauge on 8th) on both sides initially & at every step, & go running to a GOOD pro if things seem weird.
Click to expand...

Good guess. :D

I was also a bit intimidated by dual rods the first time I ran into the situation. You've got the right idea already - the key here is measurement. Wait long enough for the neck to settle and measure with feeler gauges on both sides.

Some people say relief should be slightly less on the treble side. Considering the treble strings put significantly more pressure on the neck than the bass strings, the rod on that side would be that much tighter. In the interest of keeping a straight, untwisted neck, I shoot for identical relief on both sides.

And since you mentioned it's a 6-string, note that the 8th fret won't be the halfway point on a 35" scale. You can check this with a tape measure. Measure from the first fret (capo) to the last fret (finger), and locate the halfway mark. On a 35" scale it will be closer to the 9th fret than the 8th.

Hope this helps...
 
#8
Two flaws with your approach: try subtler tweaks on the rods at first - around 1/8 of a turn or so; and fret at the 1st and 13th fret when checking for relief. The truss rods don't have too much of an effect past the 15th fret or so, plus many fingerboards have a rise as they join the body, making you think you have more relief than you really do.
 

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