It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 1:38 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 23 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
Post subject: Is it worth saving? Can it be saved.
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 6:07 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Fri Sep 16, 2011 7:10 pm
Posts: 5057
Location: The Capital Wasteland
Now, I'm no pro at setting up a guitar, but I can do it pretty well from the oldschool tricks. (eyeball it, quarter at the 12th, eraser in the trem cavity, the list goes on)

Lately, my 1992 Fender Stratocaster has been a pain in the neck. The neck seems to fluctuate every couple days. The truss rod is fully functional in both directions, but it just isn't helping much, I get it straight and then it just twists or bows again.

The big question I pose is, should I replace the neck? Is there a certain point where a neck just isn't worth saving?

I'm no good at capturing what's happening to the neck in photos. It just doesn't show well. But, this is the guitar as it sits.

Image

_________________
1984 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster
1986 Peavey Envoy 110
1967 Kingston Acoustic


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Is it worth saving? Can it be saved.
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 6:18 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue May 15, 2012 2:49 am
Posts: 560
Location: Perth, Australia
That's a lovely looking guitar,

If it's flexing a lot then you must be experiencing large temperature fluctuations because a neck will stay set if string tension and temperature remains constant within reason. On a cold day your hand will warm up the neck, so it might be worthwhile setting it after playing it for a while. Also if you have a really low action you will notice the neck bow more easily. Try setting a higher action so that changes are less obvious.

A twisting or warped neck might be requiring a luthier to fix.

_________________
GUITAR: Fender USA JazzMaster.
BASS: Fender USA 58'AVRI
AMP: Fender USA SuperSonicTwin - Blonde.
Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Is it worth saving? Can it be saved.
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 7:05 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2007 4:57 am
Posts: 13164
Location: Peckham: where the snow leopards roam
Hi Buxom. To add to what Aaron said...

Very hard to diagnose this particular issue over the internet. But I notice you say you set the neck so it's straight - I wonder if that might be a contributory factor? Perhaps you're setting it too straight?

What do I mean by that?

Well, to be perfectly straight for this particular neck might mean having the trussrod entirely disengaged, so to speak, exerting no backwards tension on the wood in counterforce to the string tension. Usually, bringing the strings to pitch pulls the neck into frontbow and then we tension the rod to counter that force and bring it nearly straight again, leaving a slight frontbow to give relief at the middle fret positions. But some necks are so hard the string tension doesn't pull them into frontbow, and then you have no scope for backward tension from the rod.

Necks are rather like a seesaw, with forces on either side counteracting each other. Normally you have the strings pulling one way, the trussrod the other, with a force of over 50 kg / 100 pounds in each direction, and that has a tendency to hold the neck rigidly in place. If the timber of your neck happens to stay straight without positive tension from the trussrod that might seem to be a nice thing, but it may leave it vulnerable to movement from other forces, namely, the fluctuating pressures your hand subjects it to during playing.

It can be a bit like a tall radio mast that is only supported by guy ropes on one side. Fine - until the wind changes direction.

This all sounds highly hypothetical, but actually it is a situation I've come across several times, most recently just a few days ago with a neighbour's guitar. So it could be what's happening on your Strat.

The solution is to tighten the trussrod gradually till it begins biting and exerting firm tension, but not enough to pull the neck into backbow. That's a fine judgement and is best done over a period of hours in very small increments of an eighth turn clockwise at a time. And it is really important that you slacken the strings right off each time you adjust the rod, so the wood is free to shift very slightly.

...Of course, it may not be this at all. So hard to tell without the guitar in front of us.

I take it you've already tried slackening the strings and then checking the neck bolts are all torqued good and firm...?

Keep us posted.

Good luck - C

_________________
Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Is it worth saving? Can it be saved.
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 7:50 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:10 pm
Posts: 13467
Location: Palm Beach County FL
Image[/quote]
Box it up and ship it to the land where the snow leopards roam. Include a self-addressed pre-paid return box.:idea: Include a case of Guinness 8) :lol: Be patient. 8)

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Is it worth saving? Can it be saved.
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 8:39 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2011 6:54 pm
Posts: 1175
Buxom wrote:
Now, I'm no pro at setting up a guitar, but I can do it pretty well from the oldschool tricks. (eyeball it, quarter at the 12th, eraser in the trem cavity, the list goes on)

Lately, my 1992 Fender Stratocaster has been a pain in the neck. The neck seems to fluctuate every couple days. The truss rod is fully functional in both directions, but it just isn't helping much, I get it straight and then it just twists or bows again.

The big question I pose is, should I replace the neck? Is there a certain point where a neck just isn't worth saving?

I'm no good at capturing what's happening to the neck in photos. It just doesn't show well. But, this is the guitar as it sits.

It's unlikely that the Neck has warped without excessive influence: violent crash, heat and moisture, etc. A more likely culprit, IMHO, is the neck/body join. Are the screws tight?

Sometimes these things SEEM all out of proportion due to the aggravation.

It's hard to tell "over the airwaves" as the previous posters have stated. You might put it aside a day or two and re-assess.

Sometimes the changes in weather at this time of year are extreme. Heated air can be very dry as opposed to warm & humid nature. Each can affect the neck. You know your climate best.

Are you adjusting the Truss Rod each time and find after a while it's out of whack again? Could be the neck settling after being adjusted too far.

Maybe you need a professional "hands-on" evaluation. Get a good description of the problem and THEN ask for some advice.

Don't throw the neck away! :D

_________________
Took me a long time to learn that a Good Set-Up is the best Parts money can buy


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Is it worth saving? Can it be saved.
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 4:31 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Fri Sep 16, 2011 7:10 pm
Posts: 5057
Location: The Capital Wasteland
There's been some crazy weather lately in DC. The last time we had snow was like April 15th iirc.

And yea, I know about setting things too straight. Most of what I know comes from watching davey4557 on YT.

The main reason I'm worried is because of the awful condition I got this guitar in. Believe me, I love the guitar, no matter if the guy dumped a dog on me. I'm just unsure of whether it's a dog or not at this point. It's been played to hell, so I'm assuming when everything is proper, it's a great guitar.

I had it right where I liked it, but the neck is all wacked out. I may have to swallow my pride and take it in for a setup.

_________________
1984 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster
1986 Peavey Envoy 110
1967 Kingston Acoustic


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Is it worth saving? Can it be saved.
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 4:35 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Fri Sep 16, 2011 7:10 pm
Posts: 5057
Location: The Capital Wasteland
And to be clear, it's not bowing as much as twisting. I can't really see it, but I can feel it running my hand down the neck. I'll have to get on this on my upcoming days off.

Stay tuned. :|

_________________
1984 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster
1986 Peavey Envoy 110
1967 Kingston Acoustic


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Is it worth saving? Can it be saved.
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 4:22 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
That looks like a Squier, and if so, I would expect the neck to easily flex. some of those Squier necks give new meaning to the term "rubber neck". :?:

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Is it worth saving? Can it be saved.
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 5:54 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4242
shimmilou wrote:
That looks like a Squier

Just out of curiosity, how'dya come to that conclusion based on that one pic?
(My first impression when I saw the pic was LPB-MIM with new electronics... :wink: )


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Is it worth saving? Can it be saved.
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 6:06 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Fri Sep 16, 2011 7:10 pm
Posts: 5057
Location: The Capital Wasteland
Both wrong but shim is half right

Korean Fender Squier series. Maui Blue

_________________
1984 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster
1986 Peavey Envoy 110
1967 Kingston Acoustic


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Is it worth saving? Can it be saved.
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 6:17 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2011 6:54 pm
Posts: 1175
Buxom wrote:
Both wrong but shim is half right

Korean Fender Squier series. Maui Blue

I disagree, I think Shimmilou is Allright. :lol:

_________________
Took me a long time to learn that a Good Set-Up is the best Parts money can buy


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Is it worth saving? Can it be saved.
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 6:41 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Fri Sep 16, 2011 7:10 pm
Posts: 5057
Location: The Capital Wasteland
I'll be making a trip down to my local music store soon. The high E snapped, which is a sign I guess.

_________________
1984 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster
1986 Peavey Envoy 110
1967 Kingston Acoustic


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Is it worth saving? Can it be saved.
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 5:17 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Fri Sep 16, 2011 7:10 pm
Posts: 5057
Location: The Capital Wasteland
April 28th, suddenly cold. :?

_________________
1984 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster
1986 Peavey Envoy 110
1967 Kingston Acoustic


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Is it worth saving? Can it be saved.
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 6:15 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2011 6:54 pm
Posts: 1175
Buxom wrote:
April 28th, suddenly cold. :?

Yup and with 5"+ rain over the next three days it's gonna be hooomid!

See if that neck twists or even bucks on ya. :lol:

Listened to a couple of your vids, keep up the good work Bux.

_________________
Took me a long time to learn that a Good Set-Up is the best Parts money can buy


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Is it worth saving? Can it be saved.
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 7:03 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
jmattis wrote:
shimmilou wrote:
That looks like a Squier

Just out of curiosity, how'dya come to that conclusion based on that one pic?
(My first impression when I saw the pic was LPB-MIM with new electronics... :wink: )


The forearm contour on the body, and the twelfth fret dot spacing.

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 23 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: