I can't get no relief

BlackhawkRise

BlackhawkRise

Active member
I have a Squier Mustang and I noticed the low E was buzzing after I put a lighter gauge string on it (9s, where I had originally set it up for 10)

Now there's a bunch of buzzing on the low E string on the lower frets so I decided to loosen the truss rod in quarter turn increments with about 2 hours between. I've done about a total of 1.5 full turns now without so much as even a string detuning. At the beginning it was a very easy loose turning nut, but now it's got a decent amount of resistance on it.

Am I doing something wrong?
 
1.5 full turns is a lot. if you are loosing the truss rod and it was turning easily and now is turning hard, id stop. is there any relief in the neck?
 
Not a lot, fretting the 1st and 17th fret there's probably about 1/2 mm of space over the 8th fret. I'm thinking maybe the first turn it bolt wasn't biting onto the thread of the truss yet, hence no tension?
 
Sounds like it's a dbl action rod because it's getting more difficult to turn counter-clockwise.
You can either let it sit for a couple days (which I think is rather silly) or you can put some stress on the neck to help the truss rod.

Here's what you should do:
Start by tightening the rod again (turning clockwise) to where the rod turns freely back and forth.
Put blocks under the neck at the nut and at the body.
Push down very hard in the middle of the neck as you turn the rod counter-clockwise. Turn the rod at least one full turn after you start to feel some resistance (still pushing down hard on the neck as you turn the rod).
Tighten the strings up to pitch and see if that helps get rid of the buzzing, or creates some relief (at least more than before).

If it helped but you need more, repeat the above process.
If it's too much relief, turn the trussrod clockwise to where you want it.
 
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You can't ruin it by doing what I suggested. It is exactly what "someone qualified" will do. I know because I am "someone qualified".
 
GuitarDoc said:
You can't ruin it by doing what I suggested. It is exactly what "someone qualified" will do. I know because I am "someone qualified".
Click to expand...

Its like trying to do a liver transplant on the internet.
Ive played for 45 yrs, adjust my own TR's and have never heard WTF he's typing about.
Most likely he has alreadt F'd it up.
 
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JMP/HBE said:
Its like trying to do a liver transplant on the internet.
Click to expand...

UHH, no!
Not even close.
Maybe for you though. Do you do your own string changes? And tune it up afterward? Or do you need to take it to "someone qualified"?


JMP/HBE said:
Ive played for 45 yrs, adjust my own TR's and have never heard WTF he's typing about.
Click to expand...

Because you obviously are not "someone qualified" to not only fix this problem, but not even enough to understand this simple problem.
Yes, indeed, if you ever have this problem you will need to take it to "someone qualified".


JMP/HBE said:
Most likely he has alreadt F'd it up.
Click to expand...

That's what you think? Really?
Proves my point.
 
Got it fixed up, I think the issue was just a combination of the first few turns not changing anything because the bolt was loose or something, combined with the neck being more stable than I expected it to be. Everything's good and working now
 
youre-doing-it-wrong-funny-meme.jpg
.
 
I agree with both of you

Dan Earlwine book I have uses the same strategy to relieve an neck
I think he has a video as well

and JMP this is probably not something a novice should do without at least reading the instructions or watching the video

Doc gave good instructions
maybe he should have included a few cautions
like dont place it between two chairs
dont then stand on it
support the headstock
dont place it at an angle between the wall and the floor and stomp on it

you know standard disclaimers
 
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I had a Squire Strat i got on a trade.
Poor quality. It took all the muscle i had more than any other guitar in 45 years to turn the TR and get the neck straight.
And it still wasn't straight.
Got rid of it. Not worth the strings on it.
My advice : buy a Gibson.
 
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