Maintenance of neck adjustment

tw001_tw · Tadpole Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 26 Location: St. Louis

Well, since I'm here... I got a question.

I have played 9's on my LP since I bought it. I recently put on a set of
10's just to try it out. I then noticed my action above the 5th fret isn't
so great. So I got to thinking - 2 possibilities.
1 - the action wasn't so great all along and I just didn't notice
or
2 - the 10's added additional presure to the neck which made it flex a
little, thus increasing the height of the strings higher up the neck.

So... should I have adjusted the neck while putting on the 10's or am I
just oblivious to the obvious??

herb · Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 7:40 pm Post subject:

2. The 10's put more pressure on the neck. But the change is not immediate, it takes a few days for the neck to move its bow to where it wants to be. After a week or so, you need to readjust the neck. If you've never done this on a set neck guitar like a Gibson before; I highly recommend you have someone do it that knows what he's doing. It involves a bit more than just tightening the nut, usually.

Strat Man dwight · Big Guppy Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 48

tw, you're talkin' the talk!

That would require a little truss rod tightening, because you've added tension and positive bow. Loosen the strings of course, push them aside at the nut and use a Gibson or generic truss rod adjustment tool to turn a little clockwise. You need to get the strings out of the way as I say, to slide the truss rod cover out, and so that you don't indent them with the tool, if you're fussy like me.

An alternative which is not most appropriate here, is that the tune-o-matic could be thumbwheeled down a bit. But that lowers action closer to the top, and may cause a buzz in your case, because you realized correctly that the neck was the issue.

If unsure, and I'm glad you're not, a good tech will do it for you, for a thousand million billion dollars. They'd probably want to level all frets and charge you another arm and a leg. Oops, don't tell techmeister Daniels that I said that too! Embarassed

tw001_tw · Tadpole Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 26 Location: St. Louis

First - thanks you two for the info. Its MUCH appreciated.

herb · Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 11:40 am Post subject:

You need to tell them all you need is a neck adjustment, you do not need fretwork or a dress and polish. This should fall between the $25 and $50 range and take them all of 30 minutes at the most. That store is guilty (as far too many of them are anymore) of trying to sell what you don't need. And you will also find that most stores that do this are also staffed with non-competent techs.

firedude

tw001_tw · Tadpole Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 26 Location: St. Louis

Hey there buddy. I don't know.
I'm considering going back to 9's.
I didn't notice that much of a difference.. but I do like the high E being
a 10, the 9's seem a little thin.

SAguitar · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 9:06 am Post subject:

With the difference in scale length, a set of 10s on a Gibson feel close to the same tension as a set of 9s on a Fender, IMHO.

And in my "why not" humble and reckless opinion, if it were mine I would just detune the guitar to loosen the neck tension and then tighten the truss rod nut about 1/8 to 1/4 turn. That might just clear up the whole thing. If it gets worse, then return it to where it was and take it in to real, genuine, Qualified Tech. Cool

tw001_tw · Tadpole Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 26 Location: St. Louis

Well.. I do get reckless sometimes. I won't lie - I gravitate towards
recklessness sometimes. You know, nothing ventured, nothing gained and
all of that. First I'm going to put some better 10's on, they didn't have my
brand of strings (Gibson strings of course) in 10s in stock, so I got a diff.
brand - I do NOT like them. I'd name names, but I honestly don't remember. Rolling Eyes

firedude · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 5:14 pm Post subject:

Hey T-dub, I just don't like the feel of 9's. Too wimpy feeling for me. I've got 10's on my 137 and even my Tele. I use slinky's quite often.

herb · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 6:06 pm Post subject:

Hey tw, You'd probably like Gibson Brite Wires 10-46. I use the flatwound version of them for jazz and I love them. I got mine online at Guitar Galleria in Chatanooga, Tennessee.

tw001_tw · Tadpole Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 26 Location: St. Louis

Got some on order Herb. Getting both the bright wires and a few sets of
'vintage' to try them out too..both in 10's. I'm getting anxious to sort all
this out. I'm a 'grab it and play' type of guy - not use to spending such
time and thought on details.

Maybe I'm getting pickier in my old age Cool

tw001_tw · Tadpole Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 26 Location: St. Louis

Update -
I now have 10s on there (I don't like the sound of new strings - got to give 'em 2 weeks or so, I think. )
Anyway, the action is almost TOO low Razz

no fret buzz & happy playing.. thanks folks!

Strat Man dwight · Big Guppy Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 48

That was a close call.

I thought you'd need a new guitar. Shocked

tw001_tw · Tadpole Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 26 Location: St. Louis