Neck Relief Specs?

[beej]

Hi Jon,

If I can grab you away from watching Steve for a sec ... when you do a setup, how much relief do you typically leave in the neck? The FAQ says a business card's width, but wondering if you have a more precise measurement that you use for a Luke, Axis, whatever.

Just playing around with a setup and wondering what you'd do.

Thanks.

- Jay.

 

[jongitarz]

Forget measurements. You want as little relief as possible without any buzzing in the middle of the neck. Then adjust your string height.

 

[beej]

I'm not a pro at this (but have fun doing it), so I still end up measuring everything to be consistent. I'd love to be able to do it more by feel - thanks for the advice.

 

[bluebullet]

isnt it supposed to be like .005 to .015 at the fifth fret with the low e string fretted at the first and last fret

 

[jazzbo jim]

I'm with Jon on this one.

When it comes to relief measurements, I find it difficult to even bother performing the measurements (being that there's so many other variables-both human and mechanical-at play)

I say "get 'er goin' like you like and continue playing".

Besides, you go through all that effort to set it up by measurement and then a dry or humid spell rolls around and you need to slightly tweak things anyway.

Beej, with the number of axes you own, you'll go nuts with all that measuring-I have a hard enough time dealing with string cahnges! Yuck!

 

[beej]

> isnt it supposed to be like .005 to .015 at the fifth fret with the low e string fretted at the first and last fret

Sounds about right (but again, I'm no pro)- typically I aim for 0.004-0.006" at the 7-9th fret with a string fretted at first and 15th fret. But I'm always fighting that tradeoff between relief and string height- it really varies from guitar to guitar. But I'd like to learn the right way, so I figured I'd ask the resident expert

> Besides, you go through all that effort to set it up by measurement and then a dry or humid spell rolls around and you need to slightly tweak things anyway.

Yeah, that's true! Though I find my guitars with lacquered necks to be pretty solid. The lacquered Steve Morse I have has yet to need a setup in a few seasons!

> Beej, with the number of axes you own, you'll go nuts with all that measuring-

I think that's why I have them ... so I can mess around with them on a regular basis. Think I really enjoy screwing around with them (setups, wiring, yada yada yada) as much as I like playing 'em!

 

[jazzbo jim]

I hear ya Beej-there's a lot to be said about "doing it yourself"

I have some friends who are frightened to look into the control cavity nevermind set their own action.

By the same token, sometimes I'll be embroiled in a modification which is taking WAY too long and I'm saying to myself, "I wish I were playing"....

 

[tommyindelaware]

isnt it supposed to be like .005 to .015 at the fifth fret with the low e string fretted at the first and last fret

assuming yer frets are level.......


tune yer guitar to pitch....

take a 6" straight edge and lay it on the frets along the strings between the 3rd & 4th strings........ (gently)

tighten the truss rod til you can feel the straight edge see saw on the middle area frets a little.......then loosen the trus rod slowley till the neck is flat on top of the frets ......w/ no see sawing......

now go to the bridge and lower saddle on the 6th string til it frets out on the upper end of the fingerboard. then raise it up til you can play the notes on the upper end w/o buzz / keeping it as low as possible w/out buzz. retune the string to pitch after each height adjustment.......

repeat for the 1st string......
2 nd
3rd
4th
5th

now you should be in the ball park........

adjust the truss rod according to how you play. if you play hard.....you will need alot more relief than if you play lightly .
the harder you play...the more clearance the string needs from the top of the frets......
i also always make truss rod adjustments w/ the guitar in playing position when looking for lowest possible action.....
intonate....and season to taste........

 

[beej]

Or ... we could just send our guitars to Delaware and have it done right

Thanks Tommy!

 

[J_Alexander]

This is what i have come up with as far as neck relief. if its rel small like a piece of paper i can play but when i do tapped harmonics,ala 316 live solo, they dont sound and buzz. i just adjust a little at a time tell i can hit them and they sound. when i get done there is a slight gap at the 8th fret. i dont know any other way to do it.