Neck Relief : Difference between Low B and high E : nominal limits

greekdude

New member
Hello,
I noticed something related to relief with my UV70p, I get smaller values in high E than low B (1st and 7th strings). E.g. When the Low B is at 0.05mm (measured as per ibanezrules site instructions, fretted both 1st and 24th fret and measured on the 10th fret), then high E is almost touching the 10th fret.
Now I have setup the guitar at silly low (as per the ibanezrules site), the playability is unparalleled with whatever I have owned and played (even my Carvin DC135), but I get slight buzz on 1st fret on G, louder buzz on 1st fret high B and even louder buzz on 1st fret high E. In fact I have to pick gently on 1st fret high E. (I know that some buzz on 1st fret 1st string is the price we pay for zero relief and very low action).
Also I noticed that between high B and low E (2nd and 6th strings) the difference is not so dramatic, it is almost the same clearance. Also in the next frets, 2nd,3rd there is no problem. Practically the issue is only on 1st string, high E. If this spot of the fret was just a tad taller it would be ideal.
In my other Ibanez ARZ800 it is quite the opposite, more relief (also about 0.05mm difference) on high E than low E.
I was just wondering if this difference in relief between the outer strings is between the accepted tolerance. Does it imply some kind of twist ? Or maybe it was intentional?
I know lots of people are actually asking for low B (or low E) to have slightly larger relief than high E, but I am just asking of what is considered normal and what is considered a twisted neck.
 
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Re: Neck Relief : Difference between Low B and high E : nominal limits

The guy who runs Ibanez Rules says that this is rather normal, and very few guitars have perfect relief across the neck. But that IS a great difference...
 
Re: Neck Relief : Difference between Low B and high E : nominal limits

The guy who runs Ibanez Rules says that this is rather normal, and very few guitars have perfect relief across the neck. But that IS a great difference...

0.05 mm? great? hmmm
 
Re: Neck Relief : Difference between Low B and high E : nominal limits

I don't get to obsessed with measuring myself. Just check by eye and adjust until the desired playabilty and sound is there. Then measure for future reference (handy in case of a change of seasons for example).

The difference in clearance could also be due to the radius and/or fret height.
 
Re: Neck Relief : Difference between Low B and high E : nominal limits

thanx man, fretwork is definitely a factor, but by measurements I did just 10 mins ago, fret height seem to be uniform across the fretboard. While as I think about it, a slightly smaller treble side relief would be a good thing and smth ppl aim at, I was just wandering if 0.05 is what most people would go for. Of course this is something that is hard to replicate at a production scale, I was just wondering what most people would like. I have heard that PLEK's default settings go for something similar. If any member here has any figures for new Gibsons, that would be nice.
 
Re: Neck Relief : Difference between Low B and high E : nominal limits

^^ I agree. Imagine having 0.5mm greater relief on the treble side than the bass side : huge action on higher strings while soloing and buzzing riffs on the lower strings everywhere.
 
Re: Neck Relief : Difference between Low B and high E : nominal limits

Sounds normal enough, but keep in mind that the stiffness of the strings might distort the pictures. The low E string is stiff and pressing it hard on 1st and 24st fret will lift it quite a bit over 2nd and 23rd. How much depends on string brand and how much you press. You would get a more exact measurement by exchanging the E and B strings for the purpose of this test (measuring the low E string position relief with the thin B string).

If the neck is indeed a bit uneven you could have it corrected during a refret, just have the fretboard sanded down. I highly doubt it is worth the trouble, though.
 
Re: Neck Relief : Difference between Low B and high E : nominal limits

Sounds normal enough, but keep in mind that the stiffness of the strings might distort the pictures. The low E string is stiff and pressing it hard on 1st and 24st fret will lift it quite a bit over 2nd and 23rd. How much depends on string brand and how much you press. You would get a more exact measurement by exchanging the E and B strings for the purpose of this test (measuring the low E string position relief with the thin B string).

If the neck is indeed a bit uneven you could have it corrected during a refret, just have the fretboard sanded down. I highly doubt it is worth the trouble, though.

I think you nailed it. Indeed comparing low E to high B does not give noticeable difference.
When i fret low B 1st fret with adequate strength it gets lifted and rings very loud.
I think now this guitar performs so well that I won't change anything on it, not even its stock strings! (I am afraid it would change something!)
 
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