String alignment dilema

[TeleJr24]

Hey everyone, Happy New Year!

A few months ago I bought a MIJ strat which I really like. After I bought it I realized that even though I can play it just fine, the string alignment is off!

The strings are parallel to the neck, but the space from the low E to the edge of the fretboard is much wider than the space from the high E to the edge of the fretboard.

So since the strings are parallel to the neck, if I make a new nut, then the strings would be crooked since the bridge is actually in line with the current nut.

Has anyone else experienced this? If you did what did you do? I can play the guitar just fine. it has great action and everything. It's just that the high E is closer to the edge than the low E. And it is a little close for my tastes. If I could make some kind of adjustment I'd prefer that. But I don't see how since if would invlolve moving the bridge (I assume).

Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[Mr 9finger]

Re: String alignment dilema

Easiest fix in the world bro. Detune your guitar. Loosen your neck plate a few turns and give the neck a tug in the direction it needs to go. Tighten the screws til they're almost tight, then tune back to pitch. You might hear a light pop, but it's just your neck settling back into place. Your tuning should be a little flat. At that point, tighten your screws the rest of the way and tune back to pitch.


That should cure what ails ya!

 

[TeleJr24]

Re: String alignment dilema

Hmm, I didn't think about moving the neck over. I didn't think there was that much play. I guess it's easier than moving the bridge - cause there is no bridge adjustment (left or right) correct?

I was thinking of re-drilling the holes that the saddle screws are in. If I can make the hole oblong so that the screws can move over 1/16, then I just need a new nut.

 

[Rich_S]

Re: String alignment dilema

You're over-complicating the problem. The neck's just mounted a bit crooked. Like 9 said, loosen the neck screws a bit and scootch it over a bit until the E strings are equidistant from the fingerboard edges, then tighten it down. This problem is rampant among Fenders, and easily fixed.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: String alignment dilema

yup i've fixed many necks like that... just loosen the neck screws a little bit and tug the neck in the direction you want the strings to move over... You really don't need to loosen the screws a hell of a lot...

 

[PoorMan]

Re: String alignment dilema

Easiest fix in the world bro. Detune your guitar. Loosen your neck plate a few turns and give the neck a tug in the direction it needs to go. Tighten the screws til they're almost tight, then tune back to pitch. You might hear a light pop, but it's just your neck settling back into place. Your tuning should be a little flat. At that point, tighten your screws the rest of the way and tune back to pitch.


That should cure what ails ya!

Yes. Do it.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: String alignment dilema

i saw a few new MIM Standards with the new Logo on the headstock that the strings are alined awful on the neck... one has such a tight fit in the neck pocket that this quick and easy adjustment will not work on that one!!! most of the time there is room to move..

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: String alignment dilema

....it will still work....

 

[WhoFan]

Re: String alignment dilema

....it will still work....

on most bolt ons yes, but not on that MIM i was talking about... it's neck fit was oddly extra tight... no room to move... how it made it out of the plant like that is so strange... but not surprising..

 

[TeleJr24]

Re: String alignment dilema

Okay, I scootched the neck over and it really didn't do anything.

I think I have the solution. I just need a bridge/tremolo with a narrower string spread. I think my current bridge has a 2 7/32 string spread. I could get a bridge with 2 1/8 and that will probably fix it. Now my question is.... which bridge. I'm thinking of the Wilkinson/Gotoh VSVG or the Wilkinson 5+1 vintage style tremolo. The VSVG has a newer style saddle with a special intonation setup. The 5+1 has the traditional bent steel saddle and intonation screw setup. Both have the 5 oblong screw holes and 1 round hole for attaching the bridge to the body. I'm also thinking this may help in case there are alignment issues. The VSVG is about $30 more (103 vs 70). What do you think?

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges...los/Wilkinson_Gotoh_VSVG_Vintage_Tremolo.html

http://www.wdmusic.com/wilkinson_5_1_hole_tremolo_steel_block_chrome.html