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Adjusting String Action:
If you feel that you have difficulty in fretting or hear a buzzing noise, the strings may be set too high or
too low. In this case, the action (the space between the strings and the fretboard) will have to be
adjusted. Adjusting the action will let you achieve the desired string level. This can easily be remedied by
lowering or raising the string saddles located on the bridge. The saddles are the parts in front of the
bridge where the strings sit. You can raise or lower the saddle by turning the hex screws on the saddle
with a hex wrench. Turn the screw clockwise to raise the saddle and counterclockwise to lower it. If the
saddle has two hex screws, be sure to turn them the same amount.
Adjusting String Intonation:
If you notice that your strings are fretting sharp or fretting flat, or that your guitar is in tune near the
bottom of the guitar but loses tune the further up the frets you go, you may need to adjust the intonation.
First, determine if all strings are having the issue or a particular string. You can adjust the intonation of a
string by moving the saddle away from the nut if the string is fretting sharp, and toward the nut if the
string is fretting flat. Don’t forget that adjusting the saddle for a string only corrects that string. You may
need to adjust intonation for each string. Check the strings as you adjust the intonation to keep the guitar
in tune.
Adjusting Truss Rod:
The neck of your guitar can go out of adjustment, or you may want to readjust the neck to get a different
sound. The neck on every guitar will eventually need to be readjusted – this is normal guitar maintenance.
Inside the neck of the guitar is a “backbone” of the guitar: a truss rod. This rod helps keep your neck
adjusted. If your strings are creating too high a sound and are hard to fret, or create a low, buzzing noise,
these can signal the guitar neck needs adjustment. If the sound is too high and the strings are hard to
fret, the truss should be tightened. If the sound is low or “buzzy,” it should be loosened.
You can adjust the truss rod with a nut located on one end. It should be located on the headstock, under
a cap just behind the nut or where the neck joins the body under the fingerboard. You may need a
truss-rod wrench to adjust it, which can be purchased at any local music store. To tighten the truss rod,
turn the nut clockwise a quarter-turn at a time, giving the neck a few minutes to adjust. To loosen the
truss rod, turn counterclockwise a quarter turn at a time, giving the neck a few minutes to adjust.
Remember that over-tightening or over-loosening a truss rod can potentially damage the neck and body,
so please do so with care!
If there are any electrical components on your guitar which you think need to be fixed, please be aware
that we recommend taking your guitar to your local music store to fix it. Beginner musicians and
people unfamiliar with repairing the electrical parts of a guitar should not attempt to do so, especially
without supervision.
If you hear any rattling or buzzing noises while playing, some hardware may be loose. You can tighten
any hardware with the appropriate tool. It could be possible that a nut on the bridge post may be
loose. If you hear a rattling noise, try strumming the guitar with one hand to re-create the noise while
touching various parts with your other hand. The rattling should stop once you touch the affected part,
and then you can tighten the part that is loose.
Dust and other foreign matter can harm the quality of your electric guitar. Make sure to regularly clean
and maintain your guitar, including around the tuning pegs and bridge. Do not leave your guitar
exposed to the elements, and be aware that guitars are sensitive to changes in temperature, humidity,
and altitude.
GUITAR HARDWARE & CARE
