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JG.
Copper Member
Canada
40 Posts |
 Posted - 05/07/2008 : 07:08:49
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mind if i ask for your opinions on a matter regarding strat necks? i'm specifially referring to my hw1, it's just about a month old now.
it's my first strat ever, so basically i had it setup professionally to go from the stock 9s to 10s. when i got it back all seemed well, but when i got home the relief was a bit too much for me to handle.
it was bowed too much and was probably over .020'' just by looking at it. now comes the funny part.. i tightened the truss to bring the relief down, and gave it a couple quarter turns every 8 hours or so.
after about a day, instead of getting lower the relief was getting incredibly higher and i was basically wondering what the heck? well it was my first time working on a strat so i thought maybe i got it wrong, checked and rechecked some sources and i was loosening the truss instead of tightening it.
long story short, i restrang the bastard and tightened it accordingly and now the relief is great and i'm happy the way it plays. my question is this, do you think i did any harm to my neck over the process? or are strat necks generally quite strong and i shouldn't be worrying about anything?
thanks for taking the time to read this,
JG |
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pedals 4 pv
Platinum Member
Canada
1351 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2008 : 08:15:46
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If the relief is great and you're happy the way it plays, I don't think there is any damage. If you wrecked it, it would have issues. |
Edited by - pedals 4 pv on 05/07/2008 08:16:13 |
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zentropa
Gold Member
USA
837 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2008 : 09:15:24
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JG:
inspect the neck for any twists and or lumps in the fretboard. chances are there aren't any because you loosened the rod.
as for strat necks... i like how they play but they are... finicky at times. strat truss rods are generally fairly sturdy but they also often can't be lubed so they can be prone to locking over time if they aren't adjusted every so often.
rules of thumb for strat necks:
1. do no more than 1/8th turns at a time. i usually give the neck a light tap or shake between turns. when you start getting close to how you want it make sure you re-tune and make minor adjustments from there.
2. make sure that you make trem tension adjustments as needed as well. if you are blocked off or have 5 springs it shouldn't be an issue. w/ 3 springs it might be.
3. if you have a strat setup done by a tech, make sure they are a gigging musician. nearly any/all strat guys like straight necks and low action. the luthier specs are going to be medium to high action with some relief. if your tech is a gigging guy, he's going to set it up to play. if your tech is a technocrat, he's going to set it up as recommended by the manufacturer.
4. take measurements of your ideal setup and record them. |
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2008 : 12:52:49
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IMHO strats are as tough as old boots.....i've never had neck problems with any of my fenders over the years including jap fenders and squiers.....any i've had a lot.... the american standard strats from a few years back(i have an 89 from new) are probably your best bet if you like a low action as they have the flatest 'board i've come across on fenders...the old reissues and originals are harder to get low without 'choking' some notes somewhere or a little fret buzz....i use a medium highish action with 10's as i find i get better note definition and sustain.....i also play a lot of acoustic guitar at home so the action on the electrics does't bother me as much anymore,in fact my yamaha SG2000 is so much like a les paul i nearly find it too low sometimes..... |
Edited by - FRANZONI on 05/07/2008 12:53:27 |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2008 : 14:50:12
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I've had a few strats and also agree that they are "tough as old boots". Finicky to adjust sometimes too... but I've never managed to damage one doing neck adjustments/intonation/spring tension/etc (and I wasn't the most "delicate" person when I was doing this as a teenager years ago!). I think it should be fine.
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Edited by - Laurie on 05/07/2008 14:56:40 |
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JG.
Copper Member
Canada
40 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2008 : 21:45:32
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thanks for all the replies fellas, certainly puts my mind at ease now!
good info zentropa - you're right about whoever sets it up does it differently. the guy i had mine setup is a gigging shredder, so he did put it quite low actually. i noticed a dead note when bending up the 17th, so in the end i had to raise the saddles and i actually prefer a mediumish action anyway. |
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zentropa
Gold Member
USA
837 Posts |
Posted - 05/08/2008 : 00:10:43
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btw, yah, i've never found a strat with a screwed up neck...
the truss rods on the other hand... i've found several that had 100% frozen truss rods due to rust/corrosion that could not be busted loose.
i've also found a few that had truss rod nuts that were stripped out completely.
that being said, unless you treat your instruments like crap, they'll be okay.
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verivorax
Platinum Member
Canada
1185 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2008 : 17:19:23
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In the retail world, I've seen and worked on a lot of strats of all kinds. It's true, I've seen few real "problem necks" that weren't fret- or truss-related. Fender's warranty service would rather replace a neck than spend more than 2 hours of fretwork on it. The beauty of bolt-on technology.
My own strat, a '74, has a great neck and smooth truss rod for its age. The original frets are extra-low (but even), and I'm hesitant to replace them. With 10s or 11s it's very nice - I use pure nickel to save on fretwear, and round-core for flexibility.
JG: Your Hwy1 should be just fine. It's probably reacting to the rising humidity as well as your adjustments. If there are any humps or bumps in the neck, get it serviced while it's still under warranty! |
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Topic |
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Strat Owners - Neck question
