guitar help!!! strings are too far off the fretboard?

Question

okay so im fixing my guitar, im not good with these terms lol, but the strings are too far off the fretboard, and so i need to turn that thing in the neck and i cant remember if my old guitar teacher said to turn it clockweise or counterclockweise, can anyone help me??

Answer 1

Action (the distance between string and fret) should be something left to a pro. Truss rod adjustment should NEVER be used by itself to correct action.

I always say DO NOT try to adjust your truss rod yourself. However, if you INSIST on trying, heres what you can do. Proceed with these steps in order, and don't skip anything.

1. Tune the guitar to pitch.
2. Fret (push down) a string at the first AND last fret.
3. Look at the gap between the string and top of the frets. If the greatest distance (probably around the 10th fret) is about 1/32" (the thickness of a credit card) then your neck is fine and adjustment must be made at the bridge.
4. If the distance is 1/32" or LESS then the truss rod is too tight. Loosen it (counterclockwise) NO MORE than 1/2 turn. If the truss rod is already loose you'll need to take it to a shop since most truss rods don't work to add neck relief (the slight bow in the neck necessary on all guitars).
5. If the distance is MORE than 1/32" then the truss rod is too loose. Turn the rod clockwise until you feel tension on it, then turn NO MORE than 1/2 turn more. Follow steps 1 through 3 again. If the distance is still more than 1/32" then you can turn 1/2 turn more. If that still doesn't do it you'll need to take it to a shop.
6. If the condition in step 5 exists and there is already tension on the truss rod you MUST take it to a shop. Breaking a truss rod will mean a VERY expensive repair.

Answer 2

You are talking about adjusting the truss rod. However, and I'm sorry to disagree with your old teacher, you should NEVER adjust the truss rod to change the action (string height) on your guitar. The purpose of the truss rod is to counter the pressure the strings create on the neck of your guitar. If the neck of the guitar is too bent or too flat because of the string tension then you adjust the truss rod. You don't adjust it just because the strings are too far off the fretboard.

If your action is too high (strings are too far off the fretboard) then you can lower the bridge and the nut of the guitar. How you do that depends on the model and type of guitar. You may want to take it in to get setup at a guitar shop. It's a good thing to have done and it's relatively cheap. Just make sure you don't adjust the truss rod for that! It's a rookie mistake.

Good luck to you!

Answer 3

It's known as Action, too top off the fretboard is simply too top and whilst the strings are too virtually the fretboard it is too low. Unfortunately it isn't very effortless to repair, I propose having a professional manage it and take it to a store.

Answer 4

String your guitar so the top 3 and bottom 3 strings enter the hole in the tuning peg from inside to outside and then turn all counterclockwise. Make sure the strings are laying snug in the neck grooves and bridge grooves and are not crossing over each other.