Few minor issues on Petrucci Axe

[ProgGuitarist76]

Hey all,

The Petrucci has been a blast, had it since June 25...It was set up great, however I've encountered a slight problem in the last few days, which I'm sure is easily correctable, but just need some input.

I've noticed extreme buzzing on the low E and A strings, like all of sudden the action is wayyy too low, and also, those particular strings (especially the A string) going out of tune, as soon as I retune them, and I start hitting some low end chords, or start shredding on ascending licks (low to high), those two strings almost instantly go out of tune.

Im curious why 1) This is suddendly happening. I'm wondering if the action has shifted for some reason, and although I've been playing for 15 years, knock on wood, I've never had to make any adjustments to the action on my guitars. Ive never done a truss rod adjustment before if thats what I need to do. and 2) I'm wondering if the way I've been leaving the case on its side and the guitar as a result, sitting on its side, is causing this action/tuning issue. You know whats funny also. The guitar comes with .10...yet, when I picked it up from guitar center, I noticed in was in standard tuning, and they tuned it up for me...normally, .10's are for whole step tuning (for tension purposes, etc) However, it was set up perfectly when I got it in standard tuning, so I thought that was kinda weird.

Could someone possibly post a pic of the truss rod so I can get a better Idea of how I need to adjust it if this what needs to be done.
Thanks All. Peace

 

[ripley]

mine did the same thing. neck devoloped backbow for some reason and caused a couple of frets to raise slightly out of their seats. for me it was having my AC unit malfunction and cause pretty extreme temp variences while I was out of the appartment.

 

[ProgGuitarist76]

The frets on mine are fine, but looking at the neck, it does certaintly looks like backbow to me, cuz the bridge isnt on a slight angle anymore, its straight in line with the neck, and then the strings down on an angle as you get towards the fifth fret to the first. Again, im sure this is a truss rod adjustment. As far as temp, its been kept in a cool room with a/c that hasnt as of yet, turned off and on causing extreme temps, but who knows. Either way, im sure its a simple adjustment

 

[jongitarz]

Just loosen the truss rod a bit...1/8 turn up toward you as you are holding the guitar like you are playing. wait a few minutes, check, and repeat if you need to.

 

[ProgGuitarist76]

That's counter-clockwise, correct?

 

[bluebullet]

its counter clockwise if you are looking from the bridge toward the headstock. if you have the guitar in playing position its up to loosen.and 1/8 turn is 1/8 of how far you can turn it with the wrench in the hole, a whole turn is not a complete revoloution.1/8 turn is probably only like 1/8 of a inch or less. as far as why its happening its the price you pay for the feeling of a oil finished neck. once you have done it a few times its no big deal and you will do it in a few seconds. i think its worth it i cant stand the feeling of clear coat on a neck feels like glue.

 

[Raz]

EBMM guitars are living, breathing objects of life , they need attention, which doesn't bother me at all, it shows how flexible the instrument is. Keep it in the case, learn to do your own set ups and you won't have any probs!

 

[tommyindelaware]

That's counter-clockwise, correct?

if you shrunk yourself to 1 " tall....& climbed on top of your guitar & were standing on the neck pickup.........& you were facing the wheel..........you would turn the wheel counter clockwise.

 

[SteveB]

1" tall, tommy? How high is your action?

Man, you'd be lopping your head off, piano-wire style!

 

[CudBucket]

...and 1/8 turn is 1/8 of how far you can turn it with the wrench in the hole, a whole turn is not a complete revoloution.1/8 turn is probably only like 1/8 of a inch or less...

Is this true?

 

[tommyindelaware]

Is this true?

the 1/8 to 1/4 turn part is true.
i think the 1/8" part is confusing you

a whole turn is 360 degrees
a half turn is 180 degrees
a 1/4 turn is 90..1/8 turn is 45 degrees

 

[mbgreene]

I think some of the confusion is coming from the FAQ section on what a "turn" is:

Originally Posted by Ernie Ball website FAQ
Q: What is the best way to adjust the action on my Music Man guitar?

A: The best and easiest way to adjust your action is to use the truss rod. To lower your action, turn the wheel clockwise. To raise your action, particularly if you have fret buzz, turn the wheel counter clockwise. It is always a good idea to make just one or two turns at a time, then play it and see if it needs more adjustment. It normally doesn't take many turns of the wheel to notice a difference.

A "turn" as defined here is inserting an adjustment tool and moving a spoke of the wheel from one side of the neck to the other side.

Is there any way to get a definitive from Jon as to what he means by an 1/8th of a turn?

Thanks

 

[jongitarz]

Turn it about the distance between two of the holes in the wheel. There are 8 holes in the wheel.

 

[bluebullet]

i was just guesstimating on the 1/8" inch part,but yes i got the rest of the information from the ebmm website.