Dare I adjust my truss rod?

[macaibhistin]

This fall my SWD developed a bit of a bow in the neck, mostly on the bottom strings side. I've keep the humidity the same in the house, and I am not sure why this bow developed, but it has made the strings a bit higher off the neck the further up you go 7-10th frets.

 

My question is, would a half turn, or so, on the truss rod help? Dare I try this on my own?

 

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

[BigKahune]

quarter (1/4) turns - - if it's a change in relief and not a change in the saddle/bridge/belly. Don't use the truss to adjust action, only use it to adjust neck relief.

 

1/4 turn. give it some time to settle in (5 minutes or so). Check the relief. If you need more, go another 1/4.

 

If it has to more that a 1/2 or 3/4 turn total, I recommend you have it looked at by a competent repair shop or luthier to figure out what, if anything, is going on.

[sharon mk]

sure... I'm playing with the truss rod all the time(its a fetish I have) - just a touch - even 1/6 of a turn makes a big difference and there is really no harm in that.

[macaibhistin]

Thanks, Guys. Can I assume it is a clockwise turn? I am thinking it needs to be tighter.

[ksdaddy]

Yes, clockwise will reduce relief in the neck.

 

The good thing is that Gibson truss rod work very well and a little turn will usually yield results. Echoing what BigKahune posted, 1/4 turn might be all you need.

 

Personally, I loosen the strings before tightening the truss rod. Can't speak for anyone else.

[macaibhistin]

Thanks, guys. A quarter turn and my neck is more or less back to normal. Wasn't such a big deal after all.