software

So today I decided to put a set of DR 9-46's on my guitar, because I've had 10's on it for the longest time. And I thought... hmm there's been a lot of fret buzz so maybe if I adjust the trust rod a little...

There I go, unscrewing the truss rod cover and getting the allen wrenches for adjusting it... I put one in and try to turn the rod but to no avail; it seems like it's stuck and won't move... so I keep trying to turn it and then finally the rod gives and turns about 1/4 turn. So I put the cover back on, strung up, and noticed there's a lot MORE buzz now.... with the open low 3 strings, and with every note I fret on the fretboard on ANY string!! I obviously screwed something up... what can I possibly do to fix it?

Oh, and I know it's not that the action is too low because I've already tried adjusting it.

First, get Dan Erlewine's book quot;How to Make Your Electric Guitar Play Greatquot;. Then, follow his set up instructions. Proceed cautiously - there are a lot of bad things that can happen from adjusting a truss rod that doesn't want to be adjusted.

Dan pretty much recommends that whenever you adjust, you loosen the nut, take it completely off, clean amp; lubricate, and replace it. Of course there's about a bazillion different kinds of truss rods, so make sure you know how yours works before you take it apart.

sounds to me like you turned the rod the wrong way


Originally Posted by jeremysounds to me like you turned the rod the wrong way

1... leading me immediately to respectfully saying quot;Please bring it to a tech or buy Erlewine´s books before risking damagequot;

aaaaargh... lol I knew I shouldn't have touched it... but at least I know I didn't do any permanent damage

The only problem is I have no money for a tech


Originally Posted by Metalman_666aaaaargh... lol I knew I shouldn't have touched it... but at least I know I didn't do any permanent damage

The only problem is I have no money for a tech

You don't know that. Even minor adjustments to a truss rod can be disastrous. Especially since you said you had to force it. You should never have to force a truss rod. If you heard a wood creak when you did it that's even worse.

You're going to have to buy that book and learn how to do it the right way or take it to a tech.

Was the neck too straight or bowed the wrong way?

Lighter strings buzz more than thicker.

If it wasn't really tough to turn and you didn't feel or hear any weird things, and it doesn't play odd, you probably didn't **** it up in anyway. Just turn it the other way round. But please be careful.

You tightened the rod when you needed to loosen the rod all along! If you go to a lighter guage strings, you need to compensate for the lesser tension by loosening the rod a bit. Righty tighty, lefty loosey!!! BTW, the reason it was very hard to turn is because you tightened it. When you do that it is hard to turn becasue it is fighting against string tension. It should be alot easier to loosen! Back it out little by little, and tune it up, let it sit for a bit, then play it in between turning it to check it.

Go to the Intonation thread in The Vault, where I posted a long tutorial and copy it, so you can read it while you're working on your guitar.

Before you do, I'd ditch the 9's, and put 10's back on.

Truss rods are fairly easy. Hold down the low E at the 1st and 14th fret.
The space between the 7th fret and E string should be a glimmer of light, just enough to slide a thin pick into.

I took it to a tech and had the problem looked at.... turns out it was just my idiocy all along.... too low string action ... I could've sworn that wasn't it!!