Adjust the Truss Rod on the Strat - do you take the strings off?

RaymondLin

Okay, after setting everything up with 10's. (I think I might try 9's next time) I can only get the Low E to 2mm above the 12th fret, High E a hair lower than 2mm, any lower it will buzz on the 12th fret.  I know that's completely normal but I want to get it even lower by tightening the truss rod.  Now the strings are already on, can I do it without removing all the strings?  i.s. loosen them, then put a capo on the 1st fret then take off the neck plate and twist the screw clockwise by 1/4 turn?

Musicwolf

That's what I did on my Baja Telecaster.  Thankfully it's the only guitar I have where the adjustment is at at that end.

Before you tighten it - have you measured the relief?  Easiest way is to place a capo on the first then depress the string at the point where the neck meets the body (17th fret on a Strat) and check the gap to the 7th or 8th fret using feeler guages (or a business card if you don't have guages).

ICBM

Yes. There's an old video somewhere showing how Fender used to do it at the factory - take out the two screws at the end of the neck, loosen the two at the outer end of the pocket by a half-turn, and tilt the neck up so you can get at the adjuster. I'm fairly sure they did it under full string tension too! Although I don't...

Philly_Q

Whenever I think I might need to adjust the truss rod on a Fender my heart sinks.  But if it's my hardtail Strat, I remember it has the bullet adjuster on the headstock.  It actually gives me a little moment of joy every time I think about it.

RaymondLin

Philly_Q said:

Whenever I think I might need to adjust the truss rod on a Fender my heart sinks.  But if it's my hardtail Strat, I remember it has the bullet adjuster on the headstock.  It actually gives me a little moment of joy every time I think about it.

I never had to touch the truss rod on my Tele but I did get it set up in Birmingham (the tech/people who made Tommy Iommis guitar) when I first got the guitar. I think it is strung on 10’s but it feels more slinky than the Strat some reason, and by just eye balling it down the neck, it has less relief yet I got the 12th fret to about 1.2-1.4mm on the low E and just under 1mm on the High E, yet it doesn’t buzz.   I am actually amazed myself.

Joe123

Hi, I always detune my strings before adjusting the truss rod. But I am not sure if adjusting truss rod is something you should do to get a low action. I set up all of my guitars with almost no relief ( there is a relief but not much ,I think it is approx 0.25 mm). But I set the neck like that not because I want to lower the action, it is just what I like it. My string action at 14th fret is always between 1.5-2.0 (high E side) and 1.75-2.25 (low E side). Anything lower than that, it doesn't buzz, but I just don't like to play with that very low action..

@RaymondLin, does it buzz at only one spesific 12th fret or does it buzz all over the fret above 12th fret? If it is only at the 12th fret, probably there is an uneven fret?
If all above 12th frets are buzzing..this is a sign of too much relief..if this is the case,  it is reasonable to adjust the truss rod..

RaymondLin

Joe123 said:

Hi, I always detune my strings before adjusting the truss rod. But I am not sure if adjusting truss rod is something you should do to get a low action. I set up all of my guitars with almost no relief ( there is a relief but not much ,I think it is approx 0.25 mm). But I set the neck like that not because I want to lower the action, it is just what I like it. My string action at 14th fret is always between 1.5-2.0 (high E side) and 1.75-2.25 (low E side). Anything lower than that, it doesn't buzz, but I just don't like to play with that very low action..

@RaymondLin, does it buzz at only one spesific 12th fret or does it buzz all over the fret above 12th fret? If it is only at the 12th fret, probably there is an uneven fret?
If all above 12th frets are buzzing..this is a sign of too much relief..if this is the case,  it is reasonable to adjust the truss rod..

Hi Joe,

It's the latter, it buzzes on a few frets hence i am thinking adjusting it.  It doesn't buzz on open string.

axisus

?? so we are talking about truss rod adjustment from the heel of the neck?? All the strats I've owned adjust at the headstock.

stonevibe

I just loosen the neck bolts and get on with it.

Philly_Q

axisus said:

?? so we are talking about truss rod adjustment from the heel of the neck?? All the strats I've owned adjust at the headstock.

So they've all been modern ones.  Or 1970s ones?

SteveRobinson

ICBM said:

Yes. There's an old video somewhere showing how Fender used to do it at the factory - take out the two screws at the end of the neck, loosen the two at the outer end of the pocket by a half-turn, and tilt the neck up so you can get at the adjuster. I'm fairly sure they did it under full string tension too! Although I don't...

Neither do I. Some modern Fenders have a habit of the finish delaminating from the body on the rectangular section below the neck pocket. Put any pressure on that edge and off it comes.

enjo

I built a channel into the cavity and scratchplate to be able to do it without loosening any screws/strings.

RaymondLin

Managed to do a 1/8 turn on the truss today before getting resistance and put it back together.  It’s a little better now  it still buzz one one fret, the very last one so next time I change strings I’ll just take an hair off of that then it’ll be perfect.

Blaendulais

Gig emergency chew off some scratchplate

Joe123

@RaymondLin glad to hear that. But I suggest after adjusting the truss rod, play a bit and consider adjusting the string action again. From my experience, straight neck can really allow very low action but it doesn't mean you will like it. Always do this in a sequencial manner : truss rod -> string action--> Intonatiom. I hope u get the best setup for the guitar soon.

RaymondLin

Joe123 said:

@RaymondLin glad to hear that. But I suggest after adjusting the truss rod, play a bit and consider adjusting the string action again. From my experience, straight neck can really allow very low action but it doesn't mean you will like it. Always do this in a sequencial manner : truss rod -> string action--> Intonatiom. I hope u get the best setup for the guitar soon.

I’ve got it set up now pretty much perfect, and as much as I could do without fret dress or cutting the nut.  It’s really easy to play but I need to get used to the shape.   I’m used to all the other guitars digging into my arm pit and raising the angle of my shoulder a bit but the Strat  obviously don’t do that so the angle of my arm is all off right now.  I’m sure it’s something I will get used to.