checking neck relief

[Christopher Caruana]

does it make a difference if you check the the truss rod using the 1st and last fret and checking at the 8th fret or using the 1st fret and where the neck and body meet and checking at the 8th fret?

Ive seen it described both ways........does it really make a difference?

 

[Archer250]

Re: checking neck relief

Yes, by a bit. The relief is less when you fret where the neck meets the body. I always fret the last fret.
Sent from my RM-915_apac_thailand_213 using Tapatalk

 

[Ayrton]

Re: checking neck relief

You press the string down across the first and last fret. Measure the distance between the bottom of the string and the top of the 10th fret. Start with .010 and see how you like that. Some people like more relief, some like less.

I use a capo on the first fret so I can have a hand free to measure.

 

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: checking neck relief

You press the string down across the first and last fret. Measure the distance between the bottom of the string and the top of the 10th fret. Start with .010 and see how you like that. Some people like more relief, some like less.

I use a capo on the first fret so I can have a hand free to measure.

Ive been doing: Capo @ 1st and fretting @ 17th and measuring @ 8. Thats what the EVH manual says. But I've seen other ppl say the last fret, so i was curious. I et all my guitars with .010 relief. Thats king of the sweet spot for me

 

[Ayrton]

Re: checking neck relief

I suppose that works as well...

I tend to like .010 or less myself.

I highly recommend the Stew Mac string action gauge for those that do not have one.

 

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: checking neck relief

I suppose that works as well...

I tend to like .010 or less myself.

I highly recommend the Stew Mac string action gauge for those that do not have one.

I have that exact one! love it

 

[darthphineas]

Re: checking neck relief

I grabbed one of those neck-check tools a couple of years ago. Strat scale on one side. LP scale on the other. Quicker and easier than the capo and feeler method. They are long enough to span 22 frets so you can check the entire neck. Then you can pop it up on top of the frets and see if all the frets are level as well


Sent from my armored space station via iPad using Tapatalk

 

[greekdude]

Re: checking neck relief

I measure 1st and last. I tend to be on the 0.15mm territory (about 0.006 Inches).
Note, however, that relief from string to string might differ. This might be to neck twist imperfection or just local fret height imperfection.
You gotta measure the same string consistently to have an accurate assessment of the situation regarding bow/relief.

 

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: checking neck relief

I always use the Low E to check the relief

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: checking neck relief

I always use 1st & body fret (usually around the 17th fret). My relief tends to be between .008-012". I basically follow what Dan Erlewine does.

 

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: checking neck relief

I always use 1st & body fret (usually around the 17th fret). My relief tends to be between .008-012". I basically follow what Dan Erlewine does.

I really need to get his book

 

[greekdude]

Re: checking neck relief

While the part of the neck after the neck joins the body does not contribute (normally) to bow or relief, including this part into measuring relief (hence measuring from 1st->last fret) can reveal problems in a wider spectrum. Hence as a test, i think the 1st->last is more adequate.

A great guide is here : http://www.ibanezrules.com/tech/setup/action.htm