Truss rod adjustment - detune strings?

[Axewielder]

When making adjustments to the truss rod on a guitar, is it the "best practice" to detune all the strings first?

[SlasZ]

On the contrary, you have to keep them tuned.

[Axewielder]

On the contrary, you have to keep them tuned.

What's the logic behind that?

[SlasZ]

How can you know if the action will be ok if the strings are loose? If there is no tension on the neck you can never know how much to adjust.

[Axewielder]

How can you know if the action will be ok if the strings are loose?

loosen/adjust/tighten/check....loosen/adjust/tighten/check

[SlasZ]

There's really no reason why you'd go through that much trouble for a neck adjustment.

[Nazgul]

SlasZ is right. It says so on many websites too.

[mhalsey]

I just loosen the D string a lil' bit so I can get the wrench on there more easily and then retune it after making the adjustment.

[Axewielder]

Thanks guys. I'm just a little paranoid as I had a MIK BC Rich beater guitar, and the truss rod got stripped when adjusted under tension (by a luthier using the correct toolz). Basically totalled the guitar.

[rjohnstone]

Nah it's not totaled... you can fix a stripped truss rod bolt.

Just get one of these and be done with it.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_tools_for:_Truss_rods/Truss_Rod_Rescue_Kit.html

It was probably stripped out because the material the truss rod is made of is crap. It could have also had the nut cross threaded at the factory.

[Axewielder]

Just get one of these and be done with it.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_tools_for:_Truss_rods/Truss_Rod_Rescue_Kit.html

Good to know for future reference! This time I was fortunate and still had the warranty. BC Rich swapped it out with a brand new guitar.

[kelly user]

that only works on certain guitars. like gibson or fenders, something like that.

[j2379]

yeah keep it tuned, that why truss rod adjustments on guitars with the adjustment at the heal suck ass.
BTW BCR truss rods are POS lately. even the handmade customs use cheap POS truss rods. thank jr for that change.

[Axewielder]

thank jr for that change.

Grr!

[hksb_alex]

just do it ...and try to stay tuned!