Do I need to lower my neck angle?

[XtrGamer]

I think the neck angle of my RG421 is too high, which is causing my headstock to be at a higher level than my body. You can see in the attached photos the difference in width between the neck and the body as you look towards the left.

I took the neck off, but there were no shims. There was a lot of dust though, that I shook and blew off.

What can I do now to lower neck angle? Should I try tightening the screws as much as possible? I have not reattached the neck yet. Could someone also give me instructions to do that without any equipment?

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Do I need to lower my neck angle?

It sounds like you need to look at other possible problems. The angle looks factory fine to me.

 

[XtrGamer]

Re: Do I need to lower my neck angle?

It sounds like you need to look at other possible problems. The angle looks factory fine to me.

In the following pics, you can see excessive warping nearer the headstock.

My relief, however, is just enough, on the lower side, in fact. I adjusted my action according to the standard measurements I found online and found a buzz on the first fret. This led me to believe that the "excessive relief" that I see is actually a combination of relief and neck angle, which is why my headstock is at another level than my body. Wouldn't you agree?

P.S. That guitar in your sig looks awesome! I'd lose the bamboo on the headstock though, if I were you.

 

[Obsessive Compulsive]

Re: Do I need to lower my neck angle?

Too much relief. Adjust the truss rod until the neck is dead straight.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Do I need to lower my neck angle?

I actually like it when it bows back near the open chords. But you can hang up your guitar overnight and it will straighten out that bow that you're objecting to. Then you can adjust the truss rod.

 

[XtrGamer]

Re: Do I need to lower my neck angle?

@Obsessive Compulsive

Irrespective of whether there is buzz playing open strings or not? Because I've tightened it a lot (with no change in the bow visually) to have a lot of buzz on the open strings (ofcourse I did not adjust the action accordingly).

Also, it became pretty hard to turn it (but not impossible), and having read online that this a sign indicating a maxed-out truss rod and that further tightening could destroy my neck, I stopped immediately.

@Clint 55

Wow, are you sure about that? You are the only person on the entire internet that has ever said such a thing. Will try tonight, will it help if the strings are off?

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: Do I need to lower my neck angle?

Not getting the answers you like over on the OLF, XtrGamer?

 

[XtrGamer]

Re: Do I need to lower my neck angle?

On the contrary, the answers on the OLF are far more detailed. I have reattached the neck as instructed and have put the order for feelers.

No harm in getting a second opinion, right Mr. Pile?

P.S. Also check out UG and Jemsite

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Do I need to lower my neck angle?

Yes, I'm sure it will help with the strings off, but I always notice a big difference even with the strings on overnight. I usually don't hang up my guitars day to day because it flattens out the bow and lowers the action from where I want it. I usually hang up a guitar if the bow is out of wack somehow, like you're describing, and I want to reset it to make sure it is graduated. Then I adjust the truss rod.

 

[KNUCKLHEAD]

Re: Do I need to lower my neck angle?

XtrGamer - U can use masking, wood, etc. for shimming ( i dont do it much but see them in many guitars i tear apart ( it Will NOT change Tone ~ regardless of the armchair experts ). I will change the pitch in the neck pocket most of the time - Shimming temporarily under the body and a small level ( i even use glass or a Pour for pitch or Elevation ~ for Bright guitars.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Do I need to lower my neck angle?

There is nothing intrinsically bad about having your headstock like that. Any guitar with a straight neck angle and some relief will be like that to some degree......like every fender Tele or strat.

As to truss rod adjustments....tiny changes is the key. You should see a difference in 1/8 of a turn. If you have not then I'd suggest there are other issues which might merit the trip to someone much more experienced in setup. Relief, action, intonation all go together and must be adjusted for in a certain sequence otherwise you start doublehandling.

Unless I've missed it, you've not side whether the guitar is playing the way you like it.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Do I need to lower my neck angle?

If your neck angle isn't so much that you can't raise the action high enough or so low you can't crank it down low enough, then look elsewhere for your problem.

 

[EDX]

Re: Do I need to lower my neck angle?

truss rod adjustment, your neck was right as it was originally..... just so you know

 

[Obsessive Compulsive]

Re: Do I need to lower my neck angle?

The way I treat my neck is adjust the truss rod to achieve a dead-straight neck; I like it that way. If a buzz develops, I raise the action/ strings.

In your case, since the buzz is only on the first fret, I suspect a particular fret is bad. Does the buzz really bother you? I would leave it alone if it's only in the first fret, which we rarely use anyway.

 

[Obsessive Compulsive]

Re: Do I need to lower my neck angle?

Yes, I'm sure it will help with the strings off, but I always notice a big difference even with the strings on overnight. I usually don't hang up my guitars day to day because it flattens out the bow and lowers the action from where I want it. I usually hang up a guitar if the bow is out of wack somehow, like you're describing, and I want to reset it to make sure it is graduated. Then I adjust the truss rod.

How long does the effect last? Seriously, I really need to hang my Charvel for days since the bow keeps coming back even after I have adjusted the truss rod.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Do I need to lower my neck angle?

I can't believe you don't like any bow. If there's not a little bit of space to push the string down against on all parts of the neck I get depressed. I guess you could leave your guitar hanging all the time when you're not using it?

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Do I need to lower my neck angle?

I think if your neck and the environment are stable, hanging shouldn't have much effect on the bow, permanent or temporary.

I have very near zero relief on all my guitars; I find it's easiest to get buzz-free low action that way, and I do tend to like it low. I do have to keep an eye on them if the temp. shifts or I'm traveling. Very bowed necks have a certain 'feel' I dislike though, even less than simple high action. Anyway, depending on your fret-wear/preference etc. it's a very personal thing.

 

[XtrGamer]

Re: Do I need to lower my neck angle?

Looks like you guys were right about the neck angle not being a problem, because when I reattached my neck the neck angle vanished, but the bow is still there. I don't think tightening my truss rod will help as it already pretty tight.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Do I need to lower my neck angle?

Is the bridge and saddles correct? How certain are you the neck is warped? i can't tell you anything fromt he pictures it's impossible without seeing it in person.

 

[XtrGamer]

Re: Do I need to lower my neck angle?

Is the bridge and saddles correct? How certain are you the neck is warped? i can't tell you anything fromt he pictures it's impossible without seeing it in person.

Oh **** I've been using the wrong word. The neck isn't twisted at all, it's bent upwards. I thought that meant warped, but Google says otherwise.