How to Loosen the Strings to Adjust a Truss Rod
- 1). Locate the tuning key on the bottom right of the guitar's head when you are facing the guitar.
- 2). Turn the tuning key in a counterclockwise direction to loosen it. Pluck the string as you do. You should hear a drop in pitch. If you hear the pitch going up instead, then turn the tuning key in a clockwise direction. Some musicians string their guitars differently, and the string may be wound opposite of what you anticipate.
- 3). Continue to loosen the tuning key until the string has enough slack in it to allow you to comfortably slip your hand underneath it.
- 4). Loosen the rest of the guitar's strings in the same manner.
- 5). Tighten the strings back to their pitches (E, B, G, D, A and low E) after you tighten or loosen the nut on the end of the truss rod.
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