Fender Neck Curvature

[MammaryVest]

Alright, my Fender owner's manual says that for a "factory" set-up neck I should put a capo on the first fret, and hold down the last fret, and measure the distance between the bottom of the string, and the top of the 8th fret. A lot of y'all probably already know this.

My question is, since I don't have a set of automotive feeler gauges to measure the right distance, what would be a good way to eyeball it? should I be able to slip a penny under there without touching? a dime? and sheet of paper?

Any help would be awesome, thanks.

[spudmaster34]

most of the time, it is about a buissiness/credit card of width, depending on the person.

[MechEngr]

Well, chances are you've got access to a piece of .010" to .014" wire -- guitar strings. That's all you need. Adjust the truss rod until you can JUST feel the wire drag when you slide it between the low E string and the fret, with the capo in place and depressing the low E string as Fender says, with the guitar tuned to pitch. Fender specs say .014" for a 7.25" radius neck, .012" for 9.5" to 12" radius, and .010" for the really flat ones. If you don't have any scrap guitar strings, email me what size you need and where you want it sent and I'll drop some in the mail for you.

[JimmyM]

A set of feeler gauges won't exactly cause you to miss a mortgage payment. I bought a set at a flea market for $4. Bought another set at Ace hardware for $8.

[Turnaround]

Originally Posted by spudmaster34

most of the time, it is about a buissiness/credit card of width, depending on the person.

Depending on the business card/credit card really. A credit card is almost 3 times as thick as a business card based on half a dozen of each that I measured.

[Fuzzy Dustmite]

I usually grab an allen wrench that's the size they recommend and slide that between the fret and the string

[John Wentzien]

When your guitarist changes strings next time, Have him save the piece off of the high E string for you.