#1932796 - 04/26/08 12:45 PM
New Strat neck truss rod will not budge
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cool9
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Registered: 03/06/08
Posts: 25
Loc: Philadelphia
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I bought a new 2008 American Standard Strat neck and just set it up. I have action as high as I can stand it and have a few buzzes in the lower positions.
I checked the neck straightness per Fender manual: hold strings down at 1st and last fret and measure distance between 1st string/8th fret & 6th string/8th fret. The distances are 0.381mm. For this 9.5" radius neck it should be 0.25mm according to Fender. Manual says to turn truss clockwise if neck is concave. I tried that and truss rod will not budge. (counterclockwise, as well).
Looking down the neck from headstock the bass looks good, the treble side has a small dip with a low point around 9th fret.
Not sure how to straighten this neck. I added some light oil to the rod and it will not move.
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#1932804 - 04/26/08 01:06 PM
Re: New Strat neck truss rod will not budge
[Re: cool9]
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miroslav
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First off...regardless what Fender says... .25mm is VERY low IMO, and odds are you will get buzzing unless the neck is absolutely perfect from end to end.
I set all mine at between .3mm & .4mm...depending on the guitar...but even up to .5 is OK.
Also...when you hold down the string...it's not between the 1st and last fret...but rather between the 1st fret and the one where the neck meets the body...that will vary from guitar to guitar.
It is between those two anchored points that you check neck relief.
AFA that truss rod not moving...try turning it with a bit more force counterclockwise first (1/4 to 1/2 turn) which will loosen it and give you more bow (and less chance of damage)....then slowly bring it back.
BUT....!!!....if you hit the end when you go clockwise, and that's as far as she goes...DO NOT FORCE IT...you may snap the rod!!! Then you can throw away the neck....
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miroslav - miroslavmusic.com"Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
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#1932853 - 04/26/08 04:11 PM
Re: New Strat neck truss rod will not budge
[Re: miroslav]
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cool9
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Thanks for info. Why would Fender give out poor information on neck relief? If I get any buzzing it makes it a drag to play. Maybe Ibanez makes better necks?
Edited by cool9 (04/26/08 04:11 PM)
Edit Reason: add
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#1932913 - 04/26/08 07:34 PM
Re: New Strat neck truss rod will not budge
[Re: cool9]
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miroslav
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I wouldn't say it's "bad info"...rather optimal in a *perfect* set-up...with a *perfect* neck.
Ibanez suggests .3mm to .5mm for their guitars.
You have the find what works best for your guitar and your preference for string height.
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miroslav - miroslavmusic.com"Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
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#1932965 - 04/26/08 10:14 PM
Re: New Strat neck truss rod will not budge
[Re: miroslav]
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Fumblyfingers
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I would cease and desist all attempted truss rod adjustments immediately and pull out of the region...........sorry just watched Charlie Wilsons War.....listen, if it is a 2008 and you just got it it is under warranty.
Could it be possible that truss rod nut is cross threaded. You might mess it up more and perhaps compromise the warranty. I would contact the shop you got it at and tell them. I would also send an E mail to Fender. Maybe you get a replacement guitar or have a reputable Fender authorized repair place take care of the problem AND set it up the way you want.
No disrespect intended but you don't sound like you are really knowledgeable about guitar repair. Let an expert work on your new guitar.
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#1933025 - 04/27/08 06:40 AM
Re: New Strat neck truss rod will not budge
[Re: Fumblyfingers]
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A String
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Yeah, Fumbly is right...
Could be a stripped thread. If you've already tried and it won't budge, I wouldn't be messing around with it. Being new, there are all sorts of options for having it fixed. I would certainly contact Fender first.
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#1933036 - 04/27/08 07:00 AM
Re: New Strat neck truss rod will not budge
[Re: A String]
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miroslav
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Well...yes...that could be the case…that it got cross-threaded during manufacture.
But going from my own experience with quite a few new guitars in the last couple of years, and certainly in the last few months with all the new Hagstrom guitars I got...
...I found several of them with the truss rods kinda "frozen".
They did not spin easy like a loose bolt would, and I had to somewhat “break the friction” before it moved in either direction.
Some rods remained rather "tight" even after they were unfrozen.
I think a lot of it has to do with the finishing process that comes after the rods are sealed inside the neck. IMO…some stain/glue/polish will get in at the end where the rods are exposed, and then when all that dries out the rod tends to stick.
Also…if the rod was place during more humid conditions…and now you have the guitar/neck in a very dry situation…the wood will also tighten up a bit and maybe cause further friction….
Buy yes, you have to be very conscious of the feel in your hands as you attempt to turn it...and know when not to go too far.
If you are not comfortable with that...then by all means, take it to a luthier or send it in to Fender.
Please post back and let us know what happens and the cause...
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miroslav - miroslavmusic.com"Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
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