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neck relief question
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=36978		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  coach [ Sun Jul 01, 2012 5:28 pm ]
Post subject:  neck relief question
Hey guys,

Seeking advice from the crew again.:) I finally strung up my guitar and was really excited to do so, only to find a big problem. I have no neck relief! I have never had this problem. This is only my third guitar, but still. :) I took the strings off to find I actually have a bit of a back bow. Lucky for me, I have a two way truss rod, so I started turning my truss rod. I'm being very careful, and have heard a few little tweeks in the neck from what I believe was glue in the rod channel. I re-strung it and now have a very little relief, but I don't think it's enough, since I still have a little buzzing when strings are plucked hard. Should I keep going on the truss rod, or should I remove my frets, sand the fretboard to level, and re-fret?

As always, all advice is welcome.

Thanks,

Sean
Author:  B. Howard [ Sun Jul 01, 2012 6:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: neck relief question
Keep carefully adjusting the rod, that's what it's there for. I personally check my truss rods before and after I glue on the fretboard to ensure they will pull the neck either direction more than I would ever want without any glue joint failure.
Author:  meddlingfool [ Sun Jul 01, 2012 6:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: neck relief question
+1...
Author:  Kent Chasson [ Sun Jul 01, 2012 6:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: neck relief question
I definitely would not re-fret at this point. The neck will likely relax a bit over time with tension.

How much relief and where? Most people only need .005" at the 6th-7th fret and anything more than .010" is too much in my book (although there are those that disagree).

If you've got .005" relief, high action, and buzzing, I'm betting the problem is either frets that aren't level or a relief curve that is less than ideal.
Author:  coach [ Sun Jul 01, 2012 8:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: neck relief question
Thanks guys for the advice. I did put the wrench on the truss rod again. I was surprised how the neck had already relaxed a little since the last time I adjusted it. I then lowered my action at the nut a little more, did a little more filing on the slots and this took care of my "sitar" sounding B and high E string. I tuned it back up, and started playing.....and I'm super stoked!!! It plays much better. It's not quite there yet, but a hugh improvement. I imagine once it opens up a little more it's gonna be great! Thanks again.

Sean
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