Neck bowing

[JQ1986]

I bought an ESP LTD B-105 about 5 or 6 years ago and it played great when I first got it, but in the past couple years it's getting harder to play. As the years went on I noticed the strings were starting to go further away from the fret board so I picked it up and noticed the neck bowing downward. I've tried gradually adjusting the truss rod the past few months (both loosening and tightening) and it hasn't helped. Is there anything I can do to fix it or is it a lost cause?

[Solarmist]

It sounds like you need to tighten it. To find out how far off it is - hold the lowest string down on the 1st fret (left hand), and the last fret (right hand with your little finger) - then reach with your thumb as far towards the center of the fretboard as you can, and press down. See what the clearance is between the bottom of the string, and the top of the fret. Repeat with the highest string for an average. A business card / credit cards thickness is a good clearance.

When tightening trussrods – loosen the strings first – tighten a max of 1/4 turn – re-tune the strings - wait till the next day to go further (so it has a chance to set).

If you get smaller gauge lower tension strings - that will help too.

[JLS]

Originally Posted by JQ1986

I bought an ESP LTD B-105 about 5 or 6 years ago and it played great when I first got it, but in the past couple years it's getting harder to play. As the years went on I noticed the strings were starting to go further away from the fret board so I picked it up and noticed the neck bowing downward. I've tried gradually adjusting the truss rod the past few months (both loosening and tightening) and it hasn't helped. Is there anything I can do to fix it or is it a lost cause?

If you're lucky, the neck hasn't taken a forward bow set, from having been neglected for so long. String tension is constantly trying to turn the neck into a rocking chair runner, and the wood fibers and trussrod are working to defend the honor of the neck, as it were.

I'd take this to a good repairperson, let them know that you haven't maintained the bass, and see if you can get off easy. I say this because, if you aren't sure whether to tighten or loosen the trussrod to correst forward bow, you're out of your depth. Unfortunately, what could have been prevented by a yearly setup, might now (worst case), necessitate something along the lines of a refret with neck planing and/or heat treating. Maybe you'll luck out.

You wouldn't drive a car for 6 years, and never check the oil, right?

[JQ1986]

When I was gigging I'd do some adjusting on it, but it has been 2 years since I even really played it. I started playing it again when I tried learning some new songs the required a b-string and I hate tuning my 4-strings down that low. I'll try what you said Solarmist, and if it doesn't help I'll resort to what you said JLS. Thanks for the advise.