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Post subject: neck alignment
Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 7:47 pm
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Hey guys...new here...recently picked up a used strat and after the excitement died i realized that the neck was slightly out of alignment, that is to say where the neck sits in the pocket the low e string is closer to the edge of the neck than the high e...not so much that it's unplayable just out of alignment...what's the easiest thing to do to make the strings in alignment with the neck from bridge to head??? i've done some research and it seems that a loosening of the neck screws with strings in tension could/would align the neck...seems odd if the pocket and neck could be incorrect to begin with???
any suggestions here would be appreciated...thanx


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Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 7:51 pm
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I've never done it with the strings at concert pitch. I've always tuned way down to where you can't hear a note properly, but the strings are still pretty much in line with where they'd normally be.

Call me a scaredy cat but I bottle it at the thought of undoing neck screws on a concert pitch tuned instrument to even the slightest degree.

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Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 7:57 pm
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ya, i agree...maybe there was more to the folks methods but it kinda does make sense...in any case, how can i get the neck better aligned??? i've also read that loosening the screws and with the body secured, put pressure on the neck at the head in a pulling fashion in the direction where the result would make the neck align better then tightening while in that position...would that work or is this even possible???
thanx


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Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 8:05 pm
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oops sorry...are you saying that un-tensioning the strings then doing the neck screw thingy would work??? if so...thanx man i'll try that...but could you confirm...just so i'm on the right path here...thanx


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Post subject: Neck alignment
Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 8:22 pm
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Slack off completely the 2,3,4,5 strings. leave a bit of tension on the 2 E's, loosen the screws and move the neck back and forth. You should be able to watch it align in reference to the E's. If someone really messed up when drilling the screw holes, you may have to sand some of the neck off so it will move laterally in the pocket.


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Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 8:50 pm
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Thanx joe, niki, i'll give it a shot...appreciate it!


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Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 9:03 pm
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ya know, i think moving the bridge laterally would be a better choice...or a little of both...is the bridge adjustable that way???
thanx


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Post subject: Re:
Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 4:38 am
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Jimmied wrote:
ya know, i think moving the bridge laterally would be a better choice...or a little of both...is the bridge adjustable that way???
thanx

You might be able to shift the saddles slightly, but the accepted method of repair for this problem is as nikininja and Joe described it.

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Post subject: Re: neck alignment
Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 4:56 am
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There's no real scope for moving the bridge. Unless you want to remove it, fill the holes, reposition it. Reposition the scratchplate/pickups too, so the polepieces of the pickups sit right.
The neck is a much easier option.

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Post subject: Re: Neck alignment
Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 4:40 pm
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Joe Sikora wrote:
Slack off completely the 2,3,4,5 strings. leave a bit of tension on the 2 E's, loosen the screws and move the neck back and forth. You should be able to watch it align in reference to the E's.


+1

This usually works for me. 8)

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Post subject: Re: neck alignment
Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 1:08 pm
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Niki and Joe!!!
yes.

Bigger screw holes in neck....hence...more possible play.
(careful...don't crack the paint by torqueing too much)

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Post subject: Re: neck alignment
Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2010 4:44 am
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Ha! That is very cool - thank you for sharing that!

And thank you for those 30 years too! :D

Cheers - C

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Post subject: Re: neck alignment
Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2010 10:45 am
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LOL!!! ahhh now if only I still looked like that ( grumbles to himself and notices kids on his lawn)

and Ceri, without you folks, I wouldnta had those 30 years. Thank you too!
and now...... a recent picture.. :O)
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Wha hoppppened.....?

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Post subject: Re: neck alignment
Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2010 5:23 pm
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Hey! I remember you,where's Mr.Greenjeans?
been a long time :D


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Post subject: Re: neck alignment
Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 2:23 pm
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brought the strat to the dealer and had their tech look at it...turns out the neck was somewhat loose and he aligned it quite nicely...also realigned (adjusted) the bridge saddles so they are now sitting pretty straight...all's good now. if only my playing could be aligned, hehe...thanx guys


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