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Post subject: Re: 1997 Roadhouse Set up help
Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2017 6:56 pm
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Hi All,
I need some help. I started the setup. I tuned up and then with 1st fret capo, low E at 17th fret held down at 8th fret low E height was .21. I tried turning truss rod to bring strings lower but not getting any real movement. Can a floating tremolo be causing problems? I locked the tremolo down (flat against body) and still no real change in height with very small increments of turns on truss rod. The truss rod feels fine and guitar holding tune.
Did I need more turns of truss rod to get down to .13- .10 ? Is there something I'm missing? Is bridge setup radius a problem?
I don't want to go crazy on truss rod, taking it very gingerly. I figure best to ask for help.
It is unfortunate I am 100% disabled from work accident at 37. 15 back surgeries all metal and screws. I can't afford to bring to guitar tech unless in dire need.
So any help would be Greatly Appreciated.
Thanks,
John


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Post subject: Re: 1997 Roadhouse Set up help
Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2017 7:40 pm
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Turning the truss rod doesn't always have an immediate effect. Depending on the wood, it can take hours before the full effect is apparent. Playing it can speed it up.

And no, the trem would have no effect on this. Only the neck itself, the truss rod, string gauge and humidity.


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Post subject: Re: 1997 Roadhouse Set up help
Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2017 7:51 pm
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While some may disagree I consider that to much relief and believe its easier once measured, strung to pitch, etc. that completely loosing the string tension and making the truss adjustments incrementally is the fastest way to get it straight. You may have to loosen/adjust/tune/measure several times to get it right. You can just do both E strings for this part but you may go to far and not realize it until completely restrung w/ full tension. You don't remove the strings completely, just completely loose-no tension when making the adjustments. If you do go to far, its much easier to add relief and the string tension assists you. 1/4 turns is a good rule.


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Post subject: Re: 1997 Roadhouse Set up help
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2017 1:12 am
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It's an old (relatively...) guitar, so there is the possibility the neck has "set" to a certain curve, and it takes time before it cooperates with the truss rod. Sometimes it can be helped with clamping the neck straight, but I'd first suggest just loosening the strings and waiting.

And, you probably are missing a zero; a .21" (over a half cm) relief should be .021" (about a half mm) etc. The latter still is really a lot (even SRV got along with a .012" relief). I recommend you first adjust the neck totally straight, then add as little relief as needed - if any.


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Post subject: Re: 1997 Roadhouse Set up help
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2017 3:40 pm
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Hey All,
After some research and re-checking it looks like the neck isn't set in right. The screws were a little loose also. Update to follow.
Thanks for all the Help!
John


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Post subject: Re: 1997 Roadhouse Set up help
Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2017 7:37 am
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Hey All,
Thanks for all the advice! Still having problems with neck and truss rod. I followed advice and let it sit out for @ week I was able to loosen the truss rod up very easily, but tightening is still a battle. I going to wait a little more for fear of doing damage to rod. I have seen some videos where they were using wood and clamps to help relieve some tension and bring neck back. Sounds dangerous.
I put the guitar back to Fender recommended specs as close as I could. Working with the standard tremolo, tilt neck and bridge.
The problem is the low E is about 7/64ths, high E a little over 5/64ths.
Any tips would be appreciated, GREATLY.
Thanks, John


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Post subject: Re: 1997 Roadhouse Set up help
Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2017 9:42 am
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Quote:
low E is about 7/64ths, high E a little over 5/64ths

I take it you measured according to the Strat Setup guide = distance between string bottom and 17th fret top?

Anyways, this is getting a bit hard to diagnose in the net. There may be trouble with frets, fretboard shape etc; or even the neck angle...
I assume you get string buzz if you adjust the guitar to lower action. But: where does the buzzing occur - everywhere, open strings, first frets, last frets, just some frets? And, what is the relief now?

On the truss rod tightening issue:
One possibility is that the wood has compressed under the truss rod nut, so the adjustment is "maxxed out". This can be corrected by adding washers under the truss rod nut.
The clamping to shape, then tightening the truss rod operation (if that's needed) must be done with proper care.
Doing either of those operations may damage the neck, so these might be the "dire need" situations where you should use a good pro.


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Post subject: Re: 1997 Roadhouse Set up help
Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 1:34 pm
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I want to Thank You All for your help! The advice and methods posted helped tremendously. I had to back off the Micro-Tilt and reset the neck into the pocket. I left the guitar out for weeks, played it, kept it in tune and made minor adjustments.
The neck finally came back, I was able to get within the Fender specs on string height and action. The guitar plays real good and sounds great. I'm giving it a little more time and will put on another set of new same size strings and check everything again.
I Big Thanks for all the help!!! I don't get out much with my injury and couldn't afford to take to authorized dealer. I got the Roadhouse on such a great deal, I couldn't pass it up. The price and payment plan was great, but I will be paying extra now. The Wife wants jewelry, LMAO.
Again Thanks Again,
John
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Post subject: Re: 1997 Roadhouse Set up help
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2017 3:14 am
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OK, I officially agree that jewels/happy wife should come before pro setup/perfect guitar.
For long time planning: a quarter a day in a can hidden in the man-cave/garage/yard/garden/end-of-the-rainbow adds up to a yearly maintenance/setup price. Of course, some guitar techs frown when they're paid with 365ish coins. :wink:

Glad if we could help.


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Post subject: Re: 1997 Roadhouse Set up help
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2017 6:50 am
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jmattis wrote:
OK, I officially agree that jewels/happy wife should come before pro setup/perfect guitar.

There aren't enough jewelry/luthier shops around. :D

But my general experience is that present dropping on the wife/girlfriends along with small hints of what would make oneself happy may lead to reciprocal actions.
It will still be a net monetary loss, but you'll at least get some of what you want without getting the basilisk stare.


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