more neck problems

JacobE · #1 08-20-2008, 01:36 AM

well not the neck specifically but you see i think 1 of 2 things may have happened.

1. i may have possibly striped the truss nut, how would i go about changing it? or am i screwed (no pun intended)

2. or, it seems like the truss nut its self has shifted to one side of the neck, like now some of the wood of the neck is now overlapping the nut.

that or ive got it wrong, see i can get the truss rod to loosen but not tighten which is the opposite of what i need to do. does it sound like i have a chance? or am i up for a new neck?

sevenyearsdown · #2 08-20-2008, 05:07 AM

I have no idea what number 2 is up there, but what actually happens when you try to tighten the truss rod? Does it just free wheel like it's stripped, or is there so much resistance that you're afraid to crank it?

Also, when you loosen it is the neck still relaxing?

JacobE · #3 08-20-2008, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sevenyearsdown

I have no idea what number 2 is up there, but what actually happens when you try to tighten the truss rod? Does it just free wheel like it's stripped, or is there so much resistance that you're afraid to crank it?

Also, when you loosen it is the neck still relaxing?

yea it is it just feels as though its striping which isnt good obviously

and yea it is its arching the way it should giving me really high action

as for the other point its like the wood of the neck has moved over the truss not, maybe im just reading to much into it

JacobE · #4 08-20-2008, 06:02 AM

the nut its self not the truss rod, just to clarify my last post

sevenyearsdown · #5 08-20-2008, 06:32 AM

So when you tighten it, which is it

1 - is it free wheeling like it's stripped nut?

2 - great resistance and you're afraid to tighten it because you fear the worst?

I'm still not quite sure what you mean about the wood of the neck being over the truss nut. Is a bullet type truss rod that has recessed back into the neck?

sevenyearsdown · #6 08-20-2008, 06:54 AM

I was thinking, though there are a bunch of variables to this that I don't know...you could try a few of these things to rule out certain problems.

1 - Loosen all the strings enough to relieve the tension. Attempt tightening the nut a little. If it will tighten, and you can measure (or tell visually) that the neck is adjusting, then you are probably ok. This isn't really the proper way to set relief, but it could tell you whether or not you have a major issue.

2 - I've never had to do this, but I've read here that some guys like to put a drop or two of 3 in 1 oil on the truss rod/nut. Obviously this should help overcome the mechanical friction. You might want to try this after you loosen the tention, but before you attempt to tighten the nut.

If you can get the neck to adjust freely with no string tention on it, then it may be a matter of just working carefully with it at tention.

DISCLAIMER: I'm not a luthier, and if you don't feel comfortable making the adjustments, take it to a pro.

JacobE · #7 08-20-2008, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sevenyearsdown

So when you tighten it, which is it

1 - is it free wheeling like it's stripped nut?

2 - great resistance and you're afraid to tighten it because you fear the worst?

I'm still not quite sure what you mean about the wood of the neck being over the truss nut. Is a bullet type truss rod that has recessed back into the neck?

no there is till a little resistance, put ill start to twist and it wiil start to feel like the nut is going to tighten than it just sort of skips foward like the inside of the nut has been chewed by the allen key (sorry for being really vague, but im trying to give more detail with every post)

ive got a friend who does some minor work on guitars i think i should ask him to, thanks for your help

sevenyearsdown · #8 08-20-2008, 07:40 AM

OH the inside of the nut is stripped. Apologies - I misunderstood. Forgive me if this sounds a little direct, but it sounds like you might have been using the wrong size wrench then....perhaps a metric close to the english size, or vice versa (I have seen guys do this...like ah close enough kinda thing)? Even on inexpensive guitars it is extremely difficult to strip the inside of that hex unless you have a wrench that isn't the correct size. If you have a full set of english and metric wrenches, make sure that you are using the correct size. Also - I would not recommend using the ball end of a wrench (if they are that type). Those can slip if you aren't careful. Kepp me posted.