Adjusting The Neck On My Guitar?

Question

I have a Gibson SG standard and the neck needs some adjusting. I don't feel like paying $60 to have someone set it up so I'm wondering if this is something with the right tools I might be able to do myself. If so, how would I go about it?

Answer 1

Very easy to do

First, look at the middle of the neck from the headstock. Put your finger on the 1st fret and another finger on the 12th fret.

You now have a perfect straight line. The clearance in the middle of the neck should be about 1/16" between the string and the fingerboard.

-Now, loosen the 2 middle strings only...

-Now, if their is more than 1/16" spacing string and fingerboard, you will have to tighten the truss rod 1/4 turn clockwise.

-now retune the 2 middle strings and check the clearance. if it still needs more, give it another 1/4 turn. That should do it.

Now , if the string is bowed and the strings are touching in the middle, then you will follow the same procedure except, you will turn the truss rod counter-clockwise. Keep turning 1/4 until you get that clearance and always, tune the guitar before checking.

That's it...

Note, that after a few days of playing and applying pressure, recheck the neck. It sometimes needs a slight adjustment.

Answer 2

if it were a $149.99 squire I's say get yer allan wrench and cranker till the truss rod snaps! it was junk before you started, but turning an SG into junk is against the rules, take it to someone that knows what there doing!!

Answer 3

I would take it to someone who knows exactly what they are doing. A Gibson SG is worth a lot of money and you dont want to s***w it up. I if you s***w it up you might have to pay a lot more than $60 to get it fixed. If you do it yourself, be very careful.

Answer 4

Don't take chances on ruining the neck of your Gibson. Take it to a qualified and reputable music store and ask the technician to make the proper adjustments.

Yes, they use an adjustable rod tool, but they know what they're doing.