Whats my problem

[take2]

:crying: I have a USA strat that when I am playing I get an awful buzzing sound from the neck (especially with certain chords and notes) - anyway I thought the neck might be cracked but it is certainly not visible. If I tap the back of the neck about mid way down I can hear a rattling inside - could something of the truss rod come loose - what is it and what can I do? I don't want to replace the neck because it is one of the 50th anniversary guitars with the gold 50th anniversary stickers on the head stock.
Any diagnosis and suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Whats my problem

Sounds like the rod may be completley loose. How is the relief in the neck? If the reliel in the neck is to great the rod needs to be tightened. Worse case is the Rod is broken, but that usually won't happen unless it is overtightened. It sounds to me that the rod is very loose, and rattleing with certain notes. I would recommend you remove the neck and examine it closer. If you don't feel comfortable doing this DON'T. Truss rod adjustments can be tricky if you do not know what you are doing, and you could do more damage. Make small turns on the rod ¼ turn or less. Take it in and have a tech. look at it!!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Whats my problem

:crying: I have a USA strat that when I am playing I get an awful buzzing sound from the neck (especially with certain chords and notes) - anyway I thought the neck might be cracked but it is certainly not visible. If I tap the back of the neck about mid way down I can hear a rattling inside - could something of the truss rod come loose - what is it and what can I do? I don't want to replace the neck because it is one of the 50th anniversary guitars with the gold 50th anniversary stickers on the head stock.
Any diagnosis and suggestions would be appreciated.

Does sound like something's up with your truss rod. Is the adjustement nut loose? It shouldn't be...there should be at least a little tension on it.

Could also be something else loose: tuners? the gear inside the tuners?

I'd go around and tighten all the screws everywhere on the guitar and also check the adjustment nut for the truss rod...tho you want to properly adjust that and not just tighten it!

Lew

 

[take2]

Re: Whats my problem

yeah its somewhat of a mystery - the neck plays well right now and looks straight so I am a little afraid to mess with the truss rod adjustment but I am going to see how tight it is - In a worse case scenario, if it is broken, can the rod ba replaced or is the neck trash?

 

[captain cavman]

Re: Whats my problem

What's your string gauge ?

A light gauge won't require a big compensation from the truss rod , so if it's not that tight it may unscrew and get completly loose then rattling
Try to screw it and check if you feel a resistance in the screwing. If you do , stop screwing.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Whats my problem

Try to screw it and check if you feel a resistance in the screwing. If you do , stop screwing.

Yes...the screwer should screw only with the consent of the screwie.

Lew

 

[take2]

Re: Whats my problem

Ok I tightened the truss rod ever so slightly and it actually seems as if ti has helped - how much can i do that though before I get a bow in teh neck - it also bothers me that I am just a hair turn away from a rattle - that doesn't seem right either.

 

[take2]

Re: Whats my problem

BTW I use 10 guage strings - changed from 9