- Kentucky mandolin truss rod adjustment how to#
- Kentucky mandolin truss rod adjustment full#
- Kentucky mandolin truss rod adjustment professional#
The truss rod only impacts the neck relief (curvature) from the nut to the body joint (usually 12th fret on a mandolin). do as Don says and check the straightness of the neck, and if you find it to be straight or having slight relief, leave the truss rod alone and adjust the action at the bridge or nut or both. The problem arises when high action is not a result of the neck relief needing adjustment, but instead is because the action needs to be adjusted at the bridge, nut, of both, and people who think the truss rod is meant to adjust action start cranking away on that thing, and the neck becomes back bowed, yet the action is still to high. They: So the truss rod does adjust the action! They: But when I tighten it the action lowers. Me: No, the truss rod is not meant to adjust the action. I've had the argument many times with various people Tightening the truss rod (if it works correctly) will restore the correct neck relief, and in the process restore correct action height, but only if the action height was set correctly when the neck had proper relief. Later, in response to string tension, the neck bows forward, so the action becomes too high. Here's the usual process: During set up, the rod is adjusted for proper (or preferred) neck relief, then the action height is set using the adjustable bridge, or whatever method needed to adjust the action to the preferred height. An improperly set up mandolon is no fun to play.ĭon is correct that the truss rod is not meant to adjust the action, but adjusting the rod does, in fact affect the action indirectly. If you are thinking that a truss rod adjustment will affect the action on the upper frets it sounds to me with all due respect you have a bit of studying to do.
Kentucky mandolin truss rod adjustment how to#
You should get Rob Meldrum's free e book on how to properly set up a mandolin.
Kentucky mandolin truss rod adjustment professional#
A professional could check and adjust the nut truss rod bridge frets etc and look it over for problems. Your mandolin could probably benefit from a complete set up. This should be done with the strings loosened. That all having been said the truss rod is not the problem if the action is high on the upper frets.
Kentucky mandolin truss rod adjustment full#
You probably should loosen your strings a little before adjusting but you have to measure at full tension.
![kentucky mandolin truss rod adjustment kentucky mandolin truss rod adjustment](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41AncqVf8CL.jpg)
I like just a little relief so the smallest gauge will slip in between the fret and thr string with the string held down as described above. If neck is straight even the smallest gauge wont fit. Capo the first fret hold down the other end of the string and use a set of feeler gauges (5 bucks at an auto parts store) to measure action at the 7th fret. You have to measure that with a straight edge but you can use the strings themselves as a straight edge. Many mandolin players like a dead straight neck others like a tiny bit of upbow just enough to prevent buzzing. It is to adjust the amount of relief or neck bow.
![kentucky mandolin truss rod adjustment kentucky mandolin truss rod adjustment](https://i0.wp.com/beyondguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/bak-2.jpg)
The meticulous attention to detail, and high build quality by expert luthiers assures effortless playability and world-class tone in a classic design.Adjusting the truss rod does nothing for action. It has several desirable professional features like a tobacco sunburst finish, High-end tonewoods and inpiring design features. This newly redesigned KM-650 F-Model Mandolin meets all the needs of the modern musician without sacrificing it's legendary vintage character and appearance. When it comes to great mandolins, Kentucky leads the way at every price point.