Neck won't straighten

[alex1fly]

I'm thinking this is a problem for a professional but thought I'd post here to see if there's anything I can do before taking it in.

Got a new Squier Classic Vibe Thinline Tele last month from the guitar shop in my hometown. It's a March 2021 model, so pretty new. Strung with .09s in the shop. I brought it home and then last night decided to string it up with my preferred .10s and do a rudimentary setup. Usually my method for setting relief is to straighten the neck until the tap test makes the string rest on the frets, and then add the slightest bit of bow. On this guitar, there was a lot more relief than I like - maybe 1/8" with the tap test after putting on the .10s. So I tighten the rod and the begin begins to straighten, but then it stops straightening. I gave the rod maybe a half-turn more, but the neck still doesn't straighten and the rod is getting hard to turn so I stop. The relief isn't where I want it to be, but it's acceptable enough for rock-n-roll. However I'm concerned that:
The truss rod is maxed out
It did a half-turn or more without any straightening effect
Potential damage to anything
Potentially defective something

Any thoughts? Anything I can do to DIY troubleshoot before taking the guitar in to be fixed? This is new territory for me; I've been adjusting my bass and guitar truss rods for well over a decade and have never maxed out a truss rod or experienced where a truss rod turns but has no effect on the bow.

 

[Chris Pile]

Sounds like a warranty problem. The dealer should order you a new FREE neck.

 

[alex1fly]

Sounds like a warranty problem. The dealer should order you a new FREE neck.

I wonder if they would push back on this. They're out of state. Would I ship them the neck so they can verify? I'd hate to have to ship them the whole guitar.

 

[Liam1963]

Had a similar situation with a new Nashville Tele (MIM), neck started to show too much relief, adjusted the truss rod, no improvement. Finally brought it to my luthier (the same guy who thirty years ago showed me how to properly set up, intonate and perform all adjustments...) He took a truss rod wrench (hex wrench), gave it a quarter turn, and left the wrench in the truss rod, marking the angle where he had adjusted it. Thirty minutes later, the wrench had moved back to its original pre-adjustment position. Long story short, the truss rod was missing a nut, so it would never adjust. Sent the neck back to the point of purchase, who then sent the neck back to the manufacturer, they sent me a new neck, no charge.

 

[Hsb]

Id call the shop and explain whats going on and have them direct you what the next step should be. Yes it should fall under warranty, so hopefully they will step up appropriately

 

[alex1fly]

Guy at the shop is telling me to crank on the truss rod while pushing on the headstock to help it straighten out. Says I won't break anything. This is on the phone and he has customers so we're going to talk again. I'm not super comfortable with this idea, never had to "assist" my neck in straightening out, and seems like if I do break something then it's out of warranty.

 

[jeremy]

i might try what the guy is saying, but if the shop is relatively close, id just bring it in and have them do it

 

[alex1fly]

i might try what the guy is saying, but if the shop is relatively close, id just bring it in and have them do it

It's 400 miles away unfortunately.

 

[jeremy]

i never go more than 1/4" turn at a time but id give a little more truss rod tightening a try. moderate pressure should be fine but i wouldnt try and really force it. if that wont do it, then it needs to go to the shop

 

[alex1fly]

Okay if the shop it came from isn't interested in helping me I think I'll loosen the rod - since the last 1/2 turn didn't do anything - and try some moderate pressure while tightening it. If not, luckily there's a Fender repair shop closeby in Boulder and I was going to get 'er set up anyways.

 

[devastone]

What shop in Boulder do you use? Woodsongs? Been forever since I've been there. I'm thinking this is a warranty issue, I would probably go by and see if they will take a quick free look at it , but I wouldn't throw more $ at it if it is going back anyway.

 

[alex1fly]

What shop in Boulder do you use? Woodsongs? Been forever since I've been there. I'm thinking this is a warranty issue, I would probably go by and see if they will take a quick free look at it , but I wouldn't throw more $ at it if it is going back anyway.

Yeah, Woodsongs is an authorized Fender spot. I haven't been there, but it seems to have a good reputation. I've had work done on 4 instruments at Guitar Hut in Lafayette, satisfied every time, but if I'm potentially playing the Fender warranty game I'd prefer to follow their rules.

 

[devastone]

I work in Louisville and recently found Front Porch Lutherie and had him do a fret level and crown. He did really good work and was very reasonable, but yeah, if it's a warranty thing definitely want to stick to an authorized place.

 

[Mincer]

Id call the shop and explain whats going on and have them direct you what the next step should be. Yes it should fall under warranty, so hopefully they will step up appropriately

Give them the options to make this right. It sounds like something an authorized dealer should be...authorized to fix.

 

[ehdwuld]

Yeah i drove up to a local shop when my first squire needed adjustment

I bought it while on vacation in St Louis
And wasn't gonna drive all the way back over ther

 

[alex1fly]

Yeah i drove up to a local shop when my first squire needed adjustment

I bought it while on vacation in St Louis
And wasn't gonna drive all the way back over ther

Actually watched this video yesterday, haha

Gave 'er a few more cranks with pressure and it's straighter. Still not straight though, and makes me wonder if it'll change over time, if I could ever put heavier strings on, etc. Probably need to take it in.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Loosen the strings, put back pressure on the head, and try to tighten the rod...a little extra. Bring the strings back up to tune and see if it made a difference. If it now has a back bow, that will be easily corrected just by loosening the rod. If that didn't do the trick, there is definitely a problem with the neck which should be a warranty issue.

 

[ehdwuld]

I thiught that was in the video

Like doc said

Bow it by hand
or as Dan did on a table wit some blocks with a clamp in the center

 

[Chris Pile]

Literally and figuratively - bend it to your will.