Neck Alignment
I just bought a '73 Strat and there is an issue with the neck that I can not find any info on the internet about. The 1st string (High E) is very close to the edge of the fretboard, while the 6th string (Low E) is farther from the edge than it should be. If I had to guess, I would say that 3/16" adjustment would put the strings back where they whould be but how do I do that? Does tampering with the micro-tilt adjust fix this problem or does it sound like something that is an issue with the mounting holes on the body? If you have ever had an issue with this before or have any input, please let me know how to remedy this situation. Thanks...
# 1
I've just been looking at my fender squire and you might be able to move the neck slightly to the right ( towards the floor ), by simply slackening off the screws - making sure the screwdriver is big enough so as not to chew up the screw AND no shims fall out between the neck and the body - I would slacken off all the strings first - but I have never done it
if you always take the lazy route
The Devil knows your every move ![COLOR=RoyalBlue]
The Devil knows your every move ![COLOR=RoyalBlue]
# 2
Think Grambo's right dude, i read somewhere that you can sometimes slacken the screws and move the neck slightly.
Strat totin
Six string slingin
Son of a gun
I met my maker, i made him cry, and on my shoulder he asked me why, his people won't fly thru the storm, i said, listen here man they don't even know your born.
strat-man rocks with vox
Six string slingin
Son of a gun
I met my maker, i made him cry, and on my shoulder he asked me why, his people won't fly thru the storm, i said, listen here man they don't even know your born.
strat-man rocks with vox
# 3
I've never worked on a micro-tilt neck, so take this with a grain of salt.
I assume the measurements you gave are made at the body end of the neck, and that the nut slots are spaced correctly. In that case, you should be able to align the neck by slacking-off the strings and slightly loosening the neck bolts. You can check the alignment by pulling the E strings snug from behind the guitar body. Then tighten the bolts again.
Good luck. Let us know how it turns out.
I assume the measurements you gave are made at the body end of the neck, and that the nut slots are spaced correctly. In that case, you should be able to align the neck by slacking-off the strings and slightly loosening the neck bolts. You can check the alignment by pulling the E strings snug from behind the guitar body. Then tighten the bolts again.
Good luck. Let us know how it turns out.
# 4
# 5
There are a couple red flags that are raised to me... 1. The guitar is a vintage instrument purchased second (or third, fourth or fifth) hand... 2. 1973 was a 3 bolt year... if remember correctly... 3. String spacing...
1. Vintage guitars are tricky. Especially when you aren't the original owner. You never know what kind of modifications have been done... unless you know exactly what to look for and exactly what you're looking at. The neck could have been replaced at some point and incorrectly installed... or simply the wrong width of neck could have been used. Or the neck that was used wasn't an original neck and the measurements of the neck aren't spot on... causing small changes in the way the strings sit.
2. The 3 bolt necks are more rare... They are also known for snapping out of the neck pocket... meaning there is a good chance it has been replaced or reset.
3. The string spacing is important on a nack as well. The nut is main adjustment point for misalligned string spacing... If the neck can't be moved from side to side... General the alignment is done by making a new nut that compensates the string spacing.
The Micro-Tilt system is for adjusting the neck tounge up or down... not side to side. I have a Strat with a similar ailment but it's not serious enough to have to do surgery... If you think yours is bad enough to have to put it under the knife I would do it this way...
Take the neck completely off the body. Plug the existing 3 holes for the neck with some kind of dowel rod or something similar... Apply glue around the sides so the rod stays in place. Next sand the excess glue off from around the plugs and even everything out. Next... You'll want to test fit the neck. you can use yarn... or guitar strings as the guide to see if its straight. Mark where the new holes should be. Drill them out and screw your neck in place. You should have a nice straight neck now if everything went as planned...
Good luck, hope you get your troubles figured out.
1. Vintage guitars are tricky. Especially when you aren't the original owner. You never know what kind of modifications have been done... unless you know exactly what to look for and exactly what you're looking at. The neck could have been replaced at some point and incorrectly installed... or simply the wrong width of neck could have been used. Or the neck that was used wasn't an original neck and the measurements of the neck aren't spot on... causing small changes in the way the strings sit.
2. The 3 bolt necks are more rare... They are also known for snapping out of the neck pocket... meaning there is a good chance it has been replaced or reset.
3. The string spacing is important on a nack as well. The nut is main adjustment point for misalligned string spacing... If the neck can't be moved from side to side... General the alignment is done by making a new nut that compensates the string spacing.
The Micro-Tilt system is for adjusting the neck tounge up or down... not side to side. I have a Strat with a similar ailment but it's not serious enough to have to do surgery... If you think yours is bad enough to have to put it under the knife I would do it this way...
Take the neck completely off the body. Plug the existing 3 holes for the neck with some kind of dowel rod or something similar... Apply glue around the sides so the rod stays in place. Next sand the excess glue off from around the plugs and even everything out. Next... You'll want to test fit the neck. you can use yarn... or guitar strings as the guide to see if its straight. Mark where the new holes should be. Drill them out and screw your neck in place. You should have a nice straight neck now if everything went as planned...
Good luck, hope you get your troubles figured out.
# 6
