A question on a truss rod adjustment?

[CyberStrat]

Hi All,

I let my squier 51 sit for a couple of months. I want to start going through the set up as things are way out on this one.

My first question is about a truss rod. The string height is good at the 2/3 fret, then it changes. By the 12th fret the gap from the fret wire to the bottom of the string is 6/32nds and at the 22nd fret it's 4/32. Ineed to lower the action for the way I like my string height. I'm ok with that, but since my neck looks concave, should I make a truss adjustment? How much of a turn should I start with? I assume I should turn it to the left when looking at if from the headstock end? correct?

Thanks

Cyber

[Offshore Angler]

Truss rod adjustment is for relief in the neck. It's a personal preference. If you end up with more relief in the middle of the neck than at the upper and lower frets you need a shim in the front of the neck pocket. That's a general statement, not an absolute one. For starters, adjust your truss rod by tightening it until you have about the thickness of your high E string in the middle when fretting a string at the 1st and 22nd frets simultaneously, and then adjust your saddles for proper action. If it frets out on the higher frets you'll need to insert a shim. It's no biggy. Just takes a few minutes. Spending a twenty minutes getting the neck angle right will reward you with years of playing a well setup guitar.

[CyberStrat]

Thanks offshore,

I feel kind like a DA for even having to ask... After I worked on it a little, the truss rod adjustment was simple. Now to lower the saddles.

Thanks,

Cyber

[Wilko]

When you're done, you may find the saddles are too low with screws sticking out and cutting your hand. That's what a shim at the butt end of the neck will fix.