Strings are pulling away from fretboard!

Onslow

New member
The flatwounds on my Epi LP Std. have been pulling away from the fretboard and it's starting to look like a slide set up. It's from about the 6th fret on up where the action has gotten really high. From there on down, it's pretty okay though. Anyway, I've never learned how to do my own maintenance and I don't know how to correct this. I've always taken it in for set ups but I'm trying to save money and it's the only guitar I own at the moment. Please haaaalp!
 
Re: Strings are pulling away from fretboard!

I don't mean to sound like an idgiot, but which way do I turn?
 
Re: Strings are pulling away from fretboard!

Turn to someone who has done this before, ask them to help you. Seriously.
 
Re: Strings are pulling away from fretboard!

In this case, you would tighten the truss rod...

This isn't too uncommon, it will happen when seasons change. It settles down after a few years, and the neck will need less adjustment, but spring and fall may need a little tweak.
 
Re: Strings are pulling away from fretboard!

Clockwise to tighten, counterclockwise to loosen. 1/4 turns are best, I've done more before, but only on guitars that I've owned a while and needed to adjust before. Slow adjustments will be sure not to put too much stress on the neck or fretboard. It may take you a few days to get the action back to where you want it, but you will.

If you feel too much tension or are unsure of what you are doing, just stop, bite the bullet and take it to someone.
 
Re: Strings are pulling away from fretboard!

What's up with the strings? Which gauge are you using, and why flat wounds?

You definitely need to tighten the truss rod and adjust the intonation at the bridge, but I also think you're using some oddball strings that are creating a heck of a lot of tension.
 
Re: Strings are pulling away from fretboard!

I've been using D'Addario light flats on it since I started studying jazz guitar. That has to do for now because I can't afford a proper jazz box yet. The last set up has lasted me about 2 years until lately since I've been taking it around with me a lot. I'm hoping it just has to do with climate change or humidity or whatever.
 
Re: Strings are pulling away from fretboard!

Adjusting the truss rod is a bi-annual ritual with all of my guitars......tighten in the winter, loosen in the summer..........
 
Back
Top