Help! My JPMM has gone crazy!

[Dizzy]

Is the truss rod adjustment wheel still touching the end of the neck ?

If there's a gap there (i.e it's screwing away from the end of the neck), you ain't going to get any more relief.

I had a guitar run out of adjustment years ago, so I OVER-slackened the truss rod to enable the string tension to OVER correct the neck and left it for a couple of days.
By the time I got back to it I had plenty of adjustment BOTH ways again, and everything was sweet.

I'd keep with the truss rod adjustments (i.e. don't touch the saddles unless you've absolutely exhausted the neck option)
The saddles were fine before this, and they don't vary with conditions like the neck can.

Concentrate on getting the neck back to how it was, which should be achievable.

 

[Dr. Metal]

BINGO!! No, its not!! So I'm not going crazy! Just my guitar! THANKS!

I don't understand what you mean by OVER-slacken though... If I'm out of adjustment, how can I add any more slack?

So, I just tightened it to where it finally made contact again and I gave it one extra push once I felt it. THe buzzing did get worse, so I'm back in adjustment-land again. Now to get it so I can give it relief again.

Jon, Tommy -- any ideas?

Thanks!

Is the truss rod adjustment wheel still touching the end of the neck ?

If there's a gap there (i.e it's screwing away from the end of the neck), you ain't going to get any more relief.

I had a guitar run out of adjustment years ago, so I OVER-slackened the truss rod to enable the string tension to OVER correct the neck and left it for a couple of days.
By the time I got back to it I had plenty of adjustment BOTH ways again, and everything was sweet.

I'd keep with the truss rod adjustments (i.e. don't touch the saddles unless you've absolutely exhausted the neck option)
The saddles were fine before this, and they don't vary with conditions like the neck can.

Concentrate on getting the neck back to how it was, which should be achievable.

 

[jongitarz]

Make sure the rod is not binding in the neck. Take the tension off the truss rod, put on hand under the headstock, and push down on the neck with your other hand around the 5th-7th fret area, if the rod is binding this will break free it up.

 

[Big Poppa]

take it to Tommy.....

 

[Dizzy]

BINGO!! No, its not!! So I'm not going crazy! Just my guitar! THANKS!

*Dizz fills out EBMM Job application form*

I don't understand what you mean by OVER-slacken though... If I'm out of adjustment, how can I add any more slack?

I meant OVER slacken. By having the rod adjusted just beyond the adjustment point, I found the string tension would flex the neck to that point only, but not stay there, so I wound it out further so it would go beyond neutral. Oh, I forgot to mention (this might seem barbaric), but I also tuned the guitar up roughly 2 steps to provide more tension to correct the neck.

But check if the truss rod is bound first, like Jon explained.

 

[Big Poppa]

take it to tommy

 

[Dizzy]

*Dizz fills out EBMM Job application form*



I meant OVER slacken. By having the rod adjusted just beyond the adjustment point, I found the string tension would flex the neck to that point only, but not stay there, so I wound it out further so it would go beyond neutral. Oh, I forgot to mention (this might seem barbaric), but I also tuned the guitar up roughly 2 steps to provide more tension to correct the neck.

But check if the truss rod is bound first, like Jon explained.

take it to tommy

OR TAKE IT TO TOMMY .......

 

[Dr. Metal]

Thanks guys! Finish filling out that app yet, Dizzy? lol!!

Jon, I was very gentle (of course) and did the truss rod binding thing. You know? It made a little creaking sound when I did it, so I think there was some binding, but the buzzing is still there. The second time I pressed, it didn't make the noise. I didn't want to break anything, so maybe I was too gentle? I'm not sure, but it may have marginally improved. However, Big Poppa has spoken quite loud and clear, so I'll just have to take it to Tommy. Now to figure out when...

Thanks again!

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

Like BP says, take it to Tommy.

I'm bringing him my acoustic in a few weeks because it suddenly started fretting out 14 fret bends on the 16th fret, and I've never attempted fretwork. Plus, it gives me an excuse to get away from the stores for the weekend!

 

[jongitarz]

I can vouch for Tommy. Take it to him.

 

[tommyindelaware]

u just wanna hang out w/ my girls...............

Like BP says, take it to Tommy.

I'm bringing him my acoustic in a few weeks because it suddenly started fretting out 14 fret bends on the 16th fret, and I've never attempted fretwork. Plus, it gives me an excuse to get away from the stores for the weekend!

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

u just wanna hang out w/ my girls...............

Thats just a bonus

 

[Big Poppa]

tommy you got the guitar yet?

 

[Dizzy]

Thanks guys! Finish filling out that app yet, Dizzy? lol!!

Nah, I read the fine print.........
I wouldn't be suitable for the job, as I'm too prone to dropping my pants in public.........

I'm very proud of my Balls.

 

[tommyindelaware]

not even a call yet.
dr. metal needs to call soon........i'm runnin a tight sched. too ! plus i cant do setups on acme guitar works time. i gotta do them at home........which make my windows small w/ gigs & all. ( i have finially got a small shop built at home that has heat & ac . )

tommy you got the guitar yet?

 

[Dr. Metal]

Nah, I read the fine print.........
I wouldn't be suitable for the job, as I'm too prone to dropping my pants in public.........

I'm very proud of my Balls.

LOL!!! I know what you mean...

 

[Dr. Metal]

not even a call yet.
dr. metal needs to call soon........i'm runnin a tight sched. too ! plus i cant do setups on acme guitar works time. i gotta do them at home........which make my windows small w/ gigs & all. ( i have finially got a small shop built at home that has heat & ac . )

ANd I didn't even realize at first that these posts were about my guitar. Well Big Poppa, you will happy to know (as I am) that I just got off the phone with Tommy and made an appointment to take it to him next Wednesday! It will be so nice to have my guitar back in shape!

Thanks again for the recomendation and thanks you Tommy for fitting me into your busy schedule!

 

[Spudmurphy]

Hey good one, glad you're getting it sorted - and good to "see" Tommy again.
how about taking a vid on a digi cam showing the truss rod adjustment - it would be a cool thing to see - and so many knuckleheads ask about it all the time.
Spud

 

[Dr. Metal]

I'm Back!

Well, I went to Tommy's house last nght. Luckily our little snow storm blew out in time and the ride wasn't bad (other than getting through Baltimore rush hour).

First off, I want to again thank Tommy for taking his valuable time with me and my guitar last night! Dude, you rock! And people -- this guy can PLAY! Not to mention his touch with guitars. I learned so much from him last night and I really had a great time. So what if I didn't get home until 1:30am! Turns out he is 1:20 from me, but the ride went fast. He has an awesome collection of Balls and deserves every one of them. Did I mention that he can really jam?!?!?! I felt intimidated to play my guitar in front of him! I look forward to checking out his band sometime just to hear him open it up through an amp.

And I also can't forget to thank his wife! She rocks too! It is really cool to see a woman so into cool music and so supportive! Definitely one very cool couple! Thanks for everything last night!!

Anyhow, as I already mentioned he knows guitars and he surmised in his first post, it was plain old fretwear! To the point where the guitar has no relief adjustment left in it. So foo came the strings and Tommy worked his magic. Not sure what was up with the incense, the Oiuji board, the rattle, and voodoo guitar, but he worked his magic.

He redressed the frets and they look and feel amazing. The guitar was too far gone to completely work out the buzz, but it is a dramatic improvement and will buy me time to finish recording, our upcoming festival, and possible early summer tour.

One of the things I learned is that IF my band used standard tuning instead of Eb, I'd be OK too. Tuning down that half step without going to 11's doesn't afford the neck the tension that it is designed to work with. I'm going to try 11's on for size to see how that works for me. I think it may work out just fine, plus that will ikely get rid of the last bit (very little) of buzz left and defintely help me last through to the summer.

Oh yeah, Tommy really polished it up last night and it looks amazing. I took some pictures tonight and will try to post some as soon as I can!

Jon, I will likely be sending it to you as soon as I can this summer so you can have at it (as Tommy suggested). You come highly recommended!

 

[tommyindelaware]

thanks for the kind words. it was a pleasure to meet you too !!!!!!
but u wern't suppose to let the voodoo secret out....

you sure care for yer geetars very well !!!!! not a mark on it.....& its what...4 years old ??

twas a funky combination of things that added up to the buzz.
1. a fair amount of upbow in the neck that was barely able to be overcome at standard pitch......but not Eb........ not enough available relief w/ the truss rod . pet necks are very thin..and can be
little sensitive to drop tunings.
2. a fair amount of fretware
3. nut slots are ever so slightly worn.
4. also..... for Eb.......using 11's will give u some more availible relief if u need til u send it to jon to judge upbow & determine refret or replacement.