How do I check neck relief?

Q: How do I check neck relief?

Fret the string at the first fret (or use a capo there), then hold it down at the fret where the neck meets the body. Look at the gap between the string and the top of the frets around the 7th to 9th fret. A small gap, roughly the thickness of a business card, is a normal starting point. No gap means the neck is too straight. Relief is the slight forward curve in the neck. String pull bends the neck forward, and the truss rod pushes back. A little relief gives the string room to vibrate without buzzing.How to check it:Tune to pitch with the strings you normally use.Hold the guitar in playing position, not lying flat, so the neck behaves as it does when you play.Capo or fret the low E string at the 1st fret.With your other hand, fret the same string at the fret where the neck joins the body.Look at the gap at the 7th to 9th fret and tap the string down gently to feel it.What you'll find:A small gap: normal relief.No gap, or the string touches the frets: too little relief, often causing buzz in the first few frets.A large gap: too much relief, causing high action in the middle of the neck.Check bass the same way on the lowest string. Relief changes with gauge, tuning and weather, so recheck it after a string change. If it needs adjusting, see our article on what the truss rod does, and use a qualified tech if you're not confident.

Quick Answer

Fret the string at the first fret (or use a capo there), then hold it down at the fret where the neck meets the body. Look at the gap between the string and the top of the frets around the 7th to 9th fret. A small gap, roughly the thickness of a business card, is a normal starting point. No gap means the neck is too straight.

Relief is the slight forward curve in the neck. String pull bends the neck forward, and the truss rod pushes back. A little relief gives the string room to vibrate without buzzing.

How to check it:

Tune to pitch with the strings you normally use.
Hold the guitar in playing position, not lying flat, so the neck behaves as it does when you play.
Capo or fret the low E string at the 1st fret.
With your other hand, fret the same string at the fret where the neck joins the body.
Look at the gap at the 7th to 9th fret and tap the string down gently to feel it.

What you'll find:

A small gap: normal relief.
No gap, or the string touches the frets: too little relief, often causing buzz in the first few frets.
A large gap: too much relief, causing high action in the middle of the neck.

Check bass the same way on the lowest string. Relief changes with gauge, tuning and weather, so recheck it after a string change. If it needs adjusting, see our article on what the truss rod does, and use a qualified tech if you're not confident.

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