Bowed Neck

[gamester4520503]

Hey, its me again. Just thought I would pose the question of a (seriously) bowed neck. I have been through all the truss rod, bridge adjustments but there is still a huge gap between 12th fret and the string. I just wonder if there is anyone out there with a decent method of straightening necks! It came off a tanglewood rebel 5K (5 stringer).

Cheers

[TAZ]

vague description but depending on the situation, shim the neck or steam and press.

[lug]

Originally Posted by TAZ

vague description but depending on the situation, shim the neck or steam and press.

Yep. Is there a large gap (say bigger than a credit card width) if you fret the first and say 17th fret? If there is, you need to adjust (tighten) the truss rod. If there isn't, you need to lower the bridge. If the strings are laying on the fretboard with no clearance , you don't have enough relief and you need to loosen the truss rod. If the relief is ok and you've dropped the saddles all the way down, you need to shim the neck.

[GeoffByrne]

You could put washers between the actual truss-rod nut & the truss rod. This give the nut extra depth and allows you to compress the rod a bit more. Trouble is finding washers the right size.

[cynical1]

Originally Posted by GeoffByrne

You could put washers between the actual truss-rod nut & the truss rod. This give the nut extra depth and allows you to compress the rod a bit more. Trouble is finding washers the right size.

Geoff -

This can be a dangerous option in the wrong hands. I came across a '66 Jazz neck that someone did this very fix to.

The guy who owned the bass tightened the rod one too many turns and the base of the truss rod came right through the rosewood fretboard.

If the neck is that bad, and you're out of adjustment you should have the neck re-shaped, or consult a professional...if the neck merits the coin spent. If not, look for another neck.

Just my 2 cents

Happy Trails

Cynical One