Neck Adjustment tips.. Fran, RobOG?

Post by **Doog** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 12:41 pm

A problem I'm having on my Jazzmaster (and cheapie Doogmaster2 for that matter): high bends are choking on the higher strings, even though the action is already higher than I'd like. Fretted notes are fine on the whole, with a few buzzy frets above the 15th (even though the fret AFTER a buzzy one is fine)..

What the piss is going on? The Jazzy started doing after I put in the Strat pickup and had to shim the neck to compensate for the new pickup's increased height. I got fed up with tweaking and shimming, so I've put it back to normal and it's STILL kinda doing it.

I can't believe it'd be a proud fret or anything, given the neck played fine before I messed with the pickup.

Any ideas? Do I need to slacken off the truss, even though it's already fairly loose?

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 1:02 pm

Hard to say without looking at it - hows the action straight off the nut? Its possible the grooves have naturally worn too low. Playing with the truss rod both ways is an option but it's always been a case of playing with truss and saddles in combination til i get it where I want it IMHO.

Lastly it could be the neck has a slight twist in it - looking down the neck from the arse end might make this more obvious.

kypdurron · Post by **kypdurron** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 1:06 pm

Had the same on my Musicmaster, Problem was that there was much too much curve in the neck. That required ridiculously high string action to be able to play notes at all above 15nth fret. Maybe try to to straighten the truss rod a bit more?

Post by **Doog** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 1:28 pm

It plays fine further down the neck and with open strings, no troubles there. I've tweaked the action loads and I'd have to have the bridge SO high to stop G string bends from choking out on certain frets, like stupidly high.

I've had a proper eyeball at the frets, nothing looks proud or worn- the guitar is only 4-5 years old and hasn't seen much abuse. I'm gonna leave it strung up to pitch for the day and see if it's the constant removal of strings that has messed it up a little..

Post by **Mike** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 1:30 pm

7.5" radius innit?

CP Jazzy with the 9.5" take to the bendies easier?

Post by **Doog** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 1:48 pm

Thing is, it hasn't always been like this- that's the problem. I know the Jazzmaster is hardly a lead guitar, but it didn't used to choke out. The fact some of the fretted notes are buzzing makes me think it's more than just a design characteristic.

Post by **Mike** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 2:09 pm

Proper odd. As well you know I am usless with setup crap like this.

Post by **Doog** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 2:14 pm

Yeah- it's been a while since I've gigged with it and that, but I don't remember having any probs with string choking, just a bit of fretbuzz.

I'm normally okay at all this, I'm not sure how something like this can remedied. It being at the body end neck makes me think it can't be a truss rod issue, the fact the action is already medium-high rules that out..

I'll try putting a small shim in various places in the neck pocket and see if that helps. Fucking hope it's not a fret/neck issue, as that's a pro job really.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 2:23 pm

One of my CIJ Jags was like that, and its even more common on Vintage Fender necks.

If it happens between the 8th and 15th frets only there could be too much dip in the neck, but if you've already tried loosening the Truss it does'nt sound like the problem. The other thing to check is the saddles are adjusted to follow the profile, but other than that dude it sounds like a fret dress may be needed.
You may have a few high spots. Sometimes moving up a gauge in string size helps matters.

Sorry i cant be more helpful.

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 6:22 pm

The problem was probably there before but you went on regardless without thinkin about it or noticing it, just one of those things... happens to me all the time. It's pretty common with the radius though...

Is it happenin' on any particular string ? I found the high E was doing this so I shimmed that alone dropping a washer underneath the saddle. the G & B were also problematic but no so much. I lightly sanded the the central part of the frets which helped but I'm not sure I would particularly recommended it, I think I was close to fucking it all up but it came good in the end. I was quite keen to achieve a vintage worn fret feel.

As far as the truss rod... you want just a little relief, neck bending outwards slightly from about the 4th fret. A good test is to capo the first fret, and then to fret the last fret with your right hand and there should be only the slightest gap at about the 8th fret, tap it with your left hand to be sure, if its touching or the gap is large then you need to re-adjust. I would also only recommend a slight shim at the back of the neck pocket, chopping up about an 1/8th of a business card. Only one layer.

I wouldn't say the frets would need much work... have you tried cleaning out the grime & buffing up the frets ? That could help. If you wanna check for uneven frets, use a credit card over 3 frets and check for any rocking.

String gauge I wouldn't be too concerned about apart from the difference in pull on the neck, and you should be able to obtain a medium action without any probs. Sadly I really enjoy messing around with setups... but it can take several goes and a lot of time to find the sweet spot, & when you do, don't change it !!!

Sorry if some of this is obvious, I don't mean to patronize... just thought it would be worth mentioning.

Sloan · Post by **Sloan** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 10:02 pm

my GOTH LES PAUL is kinda like this too, it's amazingly fast until past teh 12th fret, then it's all shit because it's too low. NEED MOAR WIDDLEY!!!