Hi everybody, I am asking your help! Recently, I noticed that my American Deluxe Strat neck was very very lightly moving (it seems to move) when I push my arms on it and it makes a cracking noise. So I tried to move it carefully, up and down etc. . So now I am asking you what you think it can be? I am only a guitarist, not a luthier!

I have screwed these four bolts behind the neck and nothing changed.

Thank you!

You could of over tightend the neck screws.

Things like this are hard to diagnose without physicaly putting your hands on the guitar. I'd take it to someone.

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No no and no

First and foremost, stop trying to move the neck!! You can create additional problems by doing that. Secondly, get the guitar to either a qualified tech or simply someone who is extremely knowledgeable about the quirks of a Strat and how to correct them. Sight unseen, it sounds like your neck simply needs to be realigned and tightened.

And excuse my manners (or lack thereof); Welcome!

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You dig?

Hi malmsteen116: welcome to the Forum.

As others are saying, if you're not experienced in this stuff get that guitar to a doctor immediately.

Cracking sounds are not good! Most likely it's the wood of the neck heel moving against that of the neck pocket. Or it could be wood getting stressed to breaking point. Either way, bad news!

Put that guitar down till it's been put right...

Good luck - C

Thank you for your help. When I said that I move the neck, it was only to see what's wrong with it. I will get it to a doctor as soon as I can. My backup guitar does not have a case yet. So, it is a bit upset!

Thank you!

Having a professional look at it is not a bad idea. However, what you are describing sounds normal for a bolt-on neck. I have two, and they both will make a creak if I try hard enough to move the neck and body in different directions. Don't continue to try this. My opinion is that if it plays and sounds good, leave it alone and try to avoid putting pressure in opposite directions. Obviously of you had a set neck or neck thru guitar that did this, I would be concerned, but not on a bolt on neck. There is inherently some movement if enough pressure is applied in opposing directions, and the creak is the typical sound of woods moving against each other under pressure.

Does it stay in tune normally? Does it play ok or is the neck moving under normal conditions?

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Guitars:
1. mid 70's Ventura MIJ Gibson l6-s clone (Pre-lawsuit) in Black with Rosewood FB and EMG 81 BR/ 85 Neck
2. ESP KH2 Neck Thru
3. 2008 Am Std Strat in 3 tone sunburst

The guitar remains in tune. Maybe it is due to humidity in the room. To be sure, I am gonna send it to an experiment luthier. So he will check it up and make some adjustments!

Premising you meant, "experienced" rather than, "experiment", you've surely made the right choice!

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You dig?