Adjusted my neck today.

The action on my guitar was a little high for my liking, the bridge had already been set as low as it would go. So, what I did was...

1) Removed strings
2) Removed neck
3) put about a 1" strip of 60 grit sandpaper in the neck pocket all they way in the back
4) Put the neck back on
5) Put new strings on
6) Tuned it up, got it just right
7) Crap, forgot to adjust the fine tuners to balance them out
8) Balanced out the fine tuners
9) Tuned it up again


What did I learn?

1) Watch out for snapping strings. They could poke an eye out.
2) It's EVERY easy to take the neck off. A monkey can do it.
3)There are small little blocks that will fall out of the floyd rose trem. Be carefull.
4) If your low E string is 3/32" away, 1 strip of 60 will get you down to about 3/64"
5) Don't be worried if your bridge isn't level at first. Tuning levels the bridge out.
6) It takes a while to get it back in tune.
7) DON'T FORGET TO LEVEL OUT YOUR FINE TUNERS BEFORE you tune up.

Ok so now that it's done. Here are some things of concern.

When I started this, my bridge was lowered all the way down. Fine, no problems. There was no buz at all. But the strings were still sitting high. Higher than I wanted anyway.

After I got the strings on and started tuning, I noticed a lot of buzz, thus, I've ended up having to raise my bridge 1 and a half turns on both sides. Rising the bridge after trying to adjust the neck seems to counteract what I just did.

Also, there is about 1/64" difference in the middle of the fretboard from the ends. So, I'm assuming there is a slight bow.

I think you need to tighten the truss rod at the top of the neck, Rick

Originally Posted by: GramboI think you need to tighten the truss rod at the top of the neck, Rick

That will raise the middle of the neck? What incriments would you suggest?

You''ll need an allen key

It'll pull the top of the neck back and lower the action on the higher frets

I usually give it a quarter of a turn at a time

Ok, 1/4 turn. I've read that it can take a while for it to settle that it won't happen immediatly? Don't recall where I read that, nor do I recall where I read how long it usually takes for it to settle. Do you happen to know how long it takes?

You'll probably find it's quite loose - crank it up

It's a bit trial and error - get it the best you can and leave it overnight

Normally it has to go quite tight

it's likely that it's never been adjusted before

The only other problem might be the bridge sticking up at the back (on the body)

Originally Posted by: GramboThe only other problem might be the bridge sticking up at the back (on the body)

Which would be bridge spring adjusment - tricky on a floyd rose

If the bridge is sticking up too high at the back, you'll never be able to set up the action

The bridge spring adjustment is on the back of the body - you tighten the screws and put more tension on the springs - this will pull the bridge down - at the back

Hey Rick,
I would start by checking that the bridge is parallel to the body of the guitar. before doing anything with the truss rod.

The best way is removing the back plate and blocking the bridge from behind.
There are some good tutorials on youtube.

I'll find them and post the links in a sec.
Be right back :D

Here you go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qSzjBY_LLE

Watch all his videos, this guy knows what he's talking about. I learned alot.

The bridge is actually parallel right now.



Here is some more tweeking i did... This is NOT through an amp. Just plane old guitar...


With my bridge all the way down as it was prior to this who procedure
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There is fret buzz all the way up the neck, but it gets worse after about the 3rd fret. I can hear it a LITTLE in the amp when I play it clean.

With my bridge raised 1.5 turns
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There is still a bit of buzz up the entire nect, not as bad. I can very bairly hear anything through the amp

With my bridge raised .5 turns
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There is buzz up the neck, not as bad as all teh way down but not as good as with it raised 1.5 turns, can hear a little buzz. It actually sounds more like slap bass actually.







Now with POD x3 and headphones
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I'm actually quit happy. This plays a little nicer now. Also, the strings feel so much better, brigther, cleaner sounding. I was skeptic when people said that you should change your strings often... Well, I have to admit, they DO need to be replaced. Those were the original strings I had on it when I bought it from the showroom. No idea how old those other strings were, or how many people had their grubbies on them. Or what crap they had on their hands... All I know is that new strings feel NICE!!!!



However, we will see... Gonna let it sit the way it is for now. Give it a week or two and see how I think about it. I may try to adjust the truss... But for now, I don't think so.

Thanks for the link equator... I will check them out!!!!! :)

Oh and you know what one of the best things about all this is????

I can friggen play the F Major chord a LOT easier now. :D... That alone makes it all worth while. :p