axis intonation issues!

[ferrarifanatic]

axis neck/trussrod issues!

Greetings. I am having trouble with the intonation of my axis. I adjusted the truss rod to lower the action when i first got the guitar, but whenever i leave it alone for a few days and pick it back up the neck is outta whack. the action is off and it is way...way out of tune. i can adjust the truss rod again to get it where it was but it seems a bit laborious to have to continually adjust the neck. is this normal or am i/did i do something incorrectly?

any advice would be greatly appreciated!

cheers,
Billy

 

[beej]

Hey Billy-

So that's the action that's the problem, not the intonation (which is adjusting the position of each saddle so notes are in tune all over the neck).

Temperature or humidity changes can put it out of whack, if it's somewhere that sees fluctuations throughout the day.

But it might be just that your neck is slowing adjusting to a change you've already made.

When I adjust the truss rod, I find it takes a bit of time for the neck to settle. To alleviate that, when I make a change to the neck tension I'll pull or push the neck into the desired position. E.g. if I losen the tension (so allowing more back bow), I'll hold the body of the guitar, grab the top of the headstock and gently pull the neck forward, so encouraging some relief.

 

[ferrarifanatic]

thanks beej...i'll trying some gentle neck coaxing and see how that works. good point about the humidity and other atmospheric fluctuations. i guess it would help too if it were in my hands more than the case....been giving all the attention to my classical guit lately.

thanks again!

 

[TNT]

Billy,

In addition to what was said. It may be also that the "trem" is either coming up off the body rest, or is settling down on the body rest. Which is contributing to the tuning issues. Make sure the trem plate comes to rest "snuggly" on the body.

The truss rod I don't think is moving around causing these problems.

Intonation isn't the problem - that in itself "cannot" be a problem (it isn't a substance).

Your guitar appears to be "moving around" on its own. Check: screws, rods, springs, clamps, etc. However if it comes to rest snuggly on the body, it will be a consistent problem - now you can find it!!

 

[candid_x]

What TNT said was also my first impression: that maybe you set it down on the trem arm or bridge somehow. You shouldn't have to keep adjusting a truss rod, unless as Beej said, something pretty radical is going on with the indoor climate. By chance are you setting it near a wood stove or heater?

 

[ferrarifanatic]

the climate doesn't change too radically, and it isn't near any heating device/element. in fact, when not in use it's in the snug-fitting molded case it came with. when i do pick it up after being idle the action is visible higher (i like i just a hair above buzzing) and if i gently bend the neck back you can see/hear where it was when i left it last. i am worried that i'll over tighten the truss rod if i keep turning it to get it to the setting i left it last...

i'll check the trem and see if it looks ok, but like i said it stays level and in the case when not in use.

beautiful axe despite this unknown malady.

 

[candid_x]

If you bought it new from a store, I'd bring it to them. If you're in the US you can contact customer service. Something doesn't sound right.

When strings are off does the neck feel solid in the pocket? No heel screws loose?

 

[ferrarifanatic]

it does feel solid, and when it adjusted and tuned the guitar feels and sounds great. i'll see about bringing it in. i did buy if from a retailer albeit online so they are out of the area. hopefully any authorized EB dealer can take a look.

cheers,
Billy