COMPOUND RADIUS NECK QUESTION

J

jackson111

New member
Ok i was going to take a look at my charvel wildcards neck. i am having a problem with the low E string not having any sustain, and almost has a weird sitar like sound after i get around the 12th fret. it doesnt completely fret out but it sounds like it is slightly hitting a high fret possible. i am going to take the neck off, level the neck out and check for a high fret. if i decide to level the frets do i need to worry about the fingerboard having a compound radius? if i remember correctly its 13" to 16" radius. or do i treat it like any other neck that i would level the frets on? just curious cause i love this guitar and dont want to mess it up. thanks
 
Re: COMPOUND RADIUS NECK QUESTION

Before you go and try to level frets to see if that's the problem, I'd change the string. It doesn't happen often, but I've gotten a bad string before, with the exact same problems you are having. Just threw the string away, popped on a fresh string and back to normal. Another thing you can check for that "sitar" like sound is that the nut and bridge saddle are both nice and smooth. Sometimes little burrs build up on them and cause that sound. Is this a standard nut guitar or Floyd? What type of bridge do you have?
 
Re: COMPOUND RADIUS NECK QUESTION

its got a flyd rose nut and bridge. i have changed strings numerous time will having this problem, since i dont really play on the 12 fret much on the low e i have lived with it, but its starting to bug me. when i got the guitar it originally didnt do it. i have had the probelm for about the last 8 months. i have adjusted the neck raise the bridge and it will get much better but then the action makes the guitar hard to play. i was going to try to tackle it this week end to see if i have 1 hight spot or multiple, i was also thinking of checking the neck alignment to see if the neck angle has moved back if so i am prepared to slightly shim to try to get back where it needs to be. i will also check for burrs, while i have it apart i was going to dismantel the flyd and give it a good cleaning.
 
Re: COMPOUND RADIUS NECK QUESTION

it may be the way the nut is sitting in the bridge saddle. If it were the open string, it would be the nut, but since its a fretted note, its most likely the bridge. Make sure the string is sitting in the center of the saddle slot.
 
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Re: COMPOUND RADIUS NECK QUESTION

Keep us informed on your progress and we'll try and help troubleshoot some more if that doesn't fix it.
 
Re: COMPOUND RADIUS NECK QUESTION

yep I will I hope to get to work on it tonight, atleast I have a few areas to check. thanks
 
Re: COMPOUND RADIUS NECK QUESTION

Take a look at the nut slot and see if you have any finish that has chipped up on the nut.
 
Re: COMPOUND RADIUS NECK QUESTION

Check for high frets, then re-install the neck but do NOT overtighten the screws, then lower relief a hair. The more relief you have, the likelier you are to buzz at the 12th fret. Considering that the Wildcard is a bolt on, it could exhibit a fretboard hump where the neck meets the body.
 
Re: COMPOUND RADIUS NECK QUESTION

ok thanks guys I will check on all of these, and yes the wildcard is nothing more then a special edition san dimas they made and made limited runs of them based off custom models they had made. it is a bolt on so I will check it out, I will try to get a picture of it and post it.
 
Re: COMPOUND RADIUS NECK QUESTION

ok I have one question if the fret board does exhibit a hump where the neck meets body how can that be fixed?
 
Re: COMPOUND RADIUS NECK QUESTION

jackson111 said:
ok I have one question if the fret board does exhibit a hump where the neck meets body how can that be fixed?
Click to expand...

It is called a "rising tongue", and you have to pull the frets, plane the fretboard, and refret. This is a problem on older necks, and is unlikely on a newer quartersawn neck.
 
Re: COMPOUND RADIUS NECK QUESTION

you could probably either file down the frets at the hump to compensate or take those frets off, sand the fret board, and put new frets on
 
Re: COMPOUND RADIUS NECK QUESTION

20140809_185135.jpgwell starting to look at my wildcard, heres some pics, I took on of the nut, I haven't taken the strings off that's coming next.
20140809_185135.jpg
 
Re: COMPOUND RADIUS NECK QUESTION

on the lock nut on my wolfgang, I have to make sure the strings are going straight through the slots (and stay that way when I lock them down) and not pressing against one side of the slot because then they rattle against that side as they vibrate. Same thing at the bridge. Not sure if that's your problem or not, but worth a shot
 
Re: COMPOUND RADIUS NECK QUESTION

I don't remember ever have to retune it after I put the lock downs on the nut. if it does it is extremely slight. I have taken the neck off and adjusted to be flat. I took my fret rocker and I have a few high spots, but I also noticed a lot of my frets have flat spots all the way across, frets 1-3 show wear marks where I have played it so much. I have owned this guitar for about 4 years and I have done nothing to it but change strings and clean it, and there have been a few truss rod adjustments due to weather changes. here are some pictures of the frets I am speaking of.
20140809_195725.jpg
20140809_200432.jpg

and here is a picture of the bridge saddle. I hope these pictures help
20140809_192539.jpg
 
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