relief dilema and heat clamping

[cheeseface]

I have two gibson guitars. Owned them both for many years an have played them a lot. [sonex 180 dlx mahogany neck and rd artist maple neck]
Both of these guitar's necks have very little relief even when the truss rods are loosened completely and exerting no pressure at all. For now there is enough relief for me to have a nice setup. [with just a tiny bit of relief. Perfect]
I'm concerned though that since the rods are totally loose and if for whatever reason if I needed to add more relief' I'd be skrewed.
I once pitched out an otherwise very nice Kramer neck because of this. It was a total drag.
My questions are 1. Can I remedy this situation?
2. Is heat clamping an effective option
3. What's heat clamping anyway?
Help! I love these guitars.

 

[itbepopples]

Re: relief dilema and heat clamping

You could replace the truss rod with a two way adjustable one?

 

[cheeseface]

Re: relief dilema and heat clamping

Whoa! I think that would be major surgery, probably involve removing wood to accomodte double rod. Yuck!
2 way rods are a great invention, but.......... you know.

 

[itbepopples]

Re: relief dilema and heat clamping

yeah it would be. ill ask one of the teachers at school here what the best thing to do would be. i go to a building and repair school (guitars of course) and am only 2 months in so replacing the rod is my only idea as of now. ill get back to you if youd like.

 

[cheeseface]

Re: relief dilema and heat clamping

Please do! i can't eat...........I can't sleep...........

 

[WhoFan]

Re: relief dilema and heat clamping

i'm not an expert on this... but i believe the easiest way to fix this issue is to either fret dress the guitar or sand the neck true and refret... I'm sure a skilled guitar maker could fix this issue no problem...

Any chance the truss rod is just sticking a little... some necks i've run into stick in place when i remove the truss rod nut tention... a slight push with the guitar flat on a table, like giving the neck CPR in the 5-7 fret area of the neck sometimes frees things up... But be careful not to push too hard, just a little push

don't fret about it until it is a real problem.... if they play fine now then they are working... once the guitars will not set up right then it can be addressed.....