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Davus PG

Member
Joined
May 6, 2011
Messages
21
Location
UK
I'm after a bit of setup help if possible.

I picked up a 2nd L3 a while back - the Tumescent one, love it.

Anyway, a couple of weeks back I had my first gig with it so swapped out the 9s for 10s, added a spring to keep the trem decked on the body (my preference) tweaked the action sightly, went and played the gig...superb - although it didn't feel as resonant as my standard L3 on the night

Went to pick it up this morning having not touched it since and the action's dropped on every string to the point they all buzz and choke. There's as the strings are virtually on the frets there's no relief. It's been on a stand in the room and we've had a mixture of hot and humid days and a few breezy nights. The window is open most of the time.

My guess is that this is the result of the string gauge change, adding a spring and not adjusting the truss rod?

My question is what order should I set it up in?

Raise the action to my preferred height and then adjust the relief?

Or should I be adjusting the truss rod first?

Also which way should I be adjusting? Adding or removing relief?

Any help greatly appreciated

David
 

tbonesullivan

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Joined
Aug 24, 2012
Messages
2,250
Location
New Jersey
Sounds more like a change in temp/moisture than the increased tension. Usually a string gauge change causes more relief with higher action, not less.
 

moozak

Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2008
Messages
19
Capo the strings at the first fret, Hold down the first string at the last fret. While holding down the string at both ends, check to see if there is any relief between the first string and the eighth fret... if there’s no relief then the neck is back bowed and the truss rod will need to be relieved
 

Davus PG

Member
Joined
May 6, 2011
Messages
21
Location
UK
Capo the strings at the first fret, Hold down the first string at the last fret. While holding down the string at both ends, check to see if there is any relief between the first string and the eighth fret... if there’s no relief then the neck is back bowed and the truss rod will need to be relieved

Yup this is indeed the case.

To add relief it's lefty loosely when looking at the headstock from the bridge, correct?
 

moozak

Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2008
Messages
19
Yes left will relieve the truss rod... I would use small increments, maybe 1/8 of a turn at a time... allow it to settle a bit and check it again and if need be adjust again.
 
Last edited:

vuduhwy

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 12, 2018
Messages
212
Yes left will relieve the truss rod... I would use small increments, maybe 1/8 of a turn at a time... allow it to settle a bit and check it again and if need be adjust again.

Always make sure to retune after your adjustments!
 

Davus PG

Member
Joined
May 6, 2011
Messages
21
Location
UK
Sorry for the slow reply but just wanted to say thank you for all the tips.

Relief & action adjusted as suggested and plays like a dream. Love it!
 
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