Neck bow, how much for an adjustment?

mr_goodbomb · #1 02-03-2010, 08:15 PM

I just got my new Grabber, and noticed that the action is fine on the first 3 or so frets, and then by the end of the neck is extremely high off the neck. I adjusted the bridge saddles and, of course, talking it any lower creates lots of buzz. It seems to be bowed slightly between around the 3rd and 10th fret. how much would taking this to a shop and getting it fixed cost?

coreyfyfe · #2 02-03-2010, 08:35 PM

Assuming it just needs a truss rod adjustment, it depends on who is doing the work and where you live. The little corner music store near my parent's house was about $5 and they did it while you waited. The guy down the street from my old apartment in downtown boston was $30 minimum for a setup.

Or, go on ebay, get one of these, and do it yourself (and effectively decrease the cost each time):

http://cgi.ebay.com/Gibson-Guitar-Tr...item5ad6ad0da1

darkstorm · #3 02-03-2010, 08:46 PM

Better uyet get one of your guitar playing friends to show you how to adjust the truss rod for yourself. This will allow you to start doing your own setups for action which will come out better then anyone else can do. Since your customizing it for yourself.

mr_goodbomb · #4 02-04-2010, 12:31 AM

I generally AM that guitar playing friend. I have three guitars in my apartment I'm working on for friends. It's just that neck adjustments always freaked me out a bit, and I don't have a vice or any of that more "workshed" style ****.

algernon · #5 02-04-2010, 01:00 AM

You don't need a vice for a truss rod adjustment. Put the bass on a flat surface or on your lap and use the Allen key which came with the instrument. Turn clockwise to straighten the neck, counter-clockwise for bigger relief. Turn in small increments (quarter or eighth of a turn a time) and check the results each time. In general, if you hold the E string on the 1'st fret and the last one, should have a 1mm or less relief at 8'th fret.
You can also search youtube for setup tutorials, there's quite a few. There's no danger really, if you work in small increments.

Regards,
Adrian

Fly Guitars · #6 02-04-2010, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by algernon

There's no danger really, if you work in small increments.

If it feels like you are really having to put a lot of effort in turning, then stop. What can happen is the truss rod tip just snaps off. It's never happened to me, but i've bought a Ripper and an EB3 where this has happened previously.

walterw · #7 02-04-2010, 06:39 PM

now is the neck curving back on the first couple of frets, then curving into an upbow?

that's bad, and will likely need a refret to really get right.

try the rod of course, but if it seems to get more curved back on the first 4 or 5 frets but still has an up-curve further down the neck, stop because the rod won't fix this, the dreaded "s-curve".