Do I have to much neck relief??

[titan7]

I really like strait necks, bad memories of cheap banana neck guitars when I was a kid. So anyhow, I am looking at the neck of my 750xl, it's got some slight relief, when I fret the first and last fret my feeler gauge is at .010-.12 measured at the 5 and 6ths frets?

I did adjust the truss rod about 1/8th of a turn, how long should I wait to review my progress.

The action height measure just over a 1/16" at the 12th fret on the low E string.

[JetFixxxer]

The relief is what you like... I would adjust the truss rod, tune, and wait 24 hours or so. I set my Les Paul relief to .012 and my Strats and Teles to .010.. As far as my Jackson I like them .008 or straight.

[DonP]

Wait a day.

Get Dan Erlewine's book before you do some damage....

[JetFixxxer]

Wait a day.

Get Dan Erlewine's book before you do some damage....

and do a google search for neck relief there are many websites out there that will guide you through it safely.

Remember a little does a lot.

[JACKSONFREAK]

I've always used the mental gauge the thickness of a business card. At the 5 through 7th frets when pressing the 6th string down at the first and last frets. Not sure what that measurement actually is. But its always worked for me.
Gil

[UFORocks]

Wow, you guys get real techical with it I just go off of feel and sighting down the board. I dont measure shit. lol

When I recently setup my SL1 I did the following: Adjusted the truss so the neck was as straight as possible, then let it sit over night.

The next day I adjusted the bridge so the action from fret 12 to 24 was where I wanted it, and then adjusted the nut to match for the lower frets. Remember, if the nut is too low then you'll have to set the bridge higher so the notes dont fret out. To really do the setup right you need to make sure that the strings are the same height at both ends.

The trick is to do very small adjustments at a time. If you know how you want it to feel before you even start out then you'll have a goal. Otherwise you're just shooting at a moving target you can't even see

I have no idea what the measurements are on my action, but the guitar plays awesome, and that's what I care about.

-Steve

[titan7]

Well I want a straight neck, I will adjust a little more tomorrow.

[straycat]

Jackson on their trem guitars set the neck as straight as possible.I use a small ruler to set mine for height I marked it where I like it and thats about .008 at the last fret.
I don't get too technical each guitar is different and each customer has their likes and dislikes so I go by how the guitar plays after the set up and adjust from that base point.

[titan7]

Well, moved the truss nut about a quarter turn, 1/8 then waited 24 hours then another 1/8 turn. It helped but I am going to wait a couple weeks to see if I get any more movement, this neck has not been adjusted since it left the the factory 19 years ago.

[UFORocks]

Wow, i've never had to turn one that much. If you're not seeing any improvement then it could be warped. If the rod gets hard to turn then dont force it. At this point I'd take it to a luthier.

[titan7]

I did see some improvement, as far as hard to turn?? not sure it did not seem too hard. The neck in not warped or twisted, it looks the same on each side and the bridge is level. Also, when I an talking 1/4 turn, I mean I moved the mark I put on the nut from 6 o'clock to 8:30 if that makes sense.

[CharvelRocker]

Here is my rule of thumb with neck relief: First, set your action. In general, the lower the action, the straighter you will need your neck. Then see how much relief, using a .01 feeler gauge as a guide. .01 is an ideal medium for relief, so go from there. You measure it, put a capo on your first fret, press down the low E on the 14th, and measure above the actual ninth metal fret. Be sure to do this in playing position to get an accurate reading.

You want to get just enough relief in the neck the action is smooth, low and practically buzz free. First adjustment make a 1/4th turn, and wait overnight or about 8 hours. Then make slow, small adjustments. If you need to go more than another quarter turn; the guitar has not been adjusted in a LONG time, or the neck is warped. Once you have your relief about where you want it (and eyeballing doesn't hurt), recheck your action, make sure it intonates, and finally replace the truss rod cover.

I have used this method on all my guitars, and I would say it's pretty much "no fail" unless you do something out of order.

[titan7]

thanks!

[Phantom Hawk]

Wow, you guys get real techical with it I just go off of feel and sighting down the board. I dont measure shit. lol

When I recently setup my SL1 I did the following: Adjusted the truss so the neck was as straight as possible, then let it sit over night.

The next day I adjusted the bridge so the action from fret 12 to 24 was where I wanted it, and then adjusted the nut to match for the lower frets. Remember, if the nut is too low then you'll have to set the bridge higher so the notes dont fret out. To really do the setup right you need to make sure that the strings are the same height at both ends.

The trick is to do very small adjustments at a time. If you know how you want it to feel before you even start out then you'll have a goal. Otherwise you're just shooting at a moving target you can't even see

I have no idea what the measurements are on my action, but the guitar plays awesome, and that's what I care about.

-Steve

Thats my method as well. Maybe we should write a tech manual