Help! Sabre guitar making 'creaking' and 'popping' noises coming from the neck joint? normal?

[floyd1692]

This happens when I'm playing and I can actually feel it on my hands. I bought this Sabre from guitar center on 9/9/2025. I initially thought it was just the neck adjusting to the new weather or something but it keeps doing it. I keep it in its case but have been playing it daily. I really love this guitar and the sound of it but not sure what to think of this.. Does anyone know if this could be normal? I looked around online and some others have had similar issues with different guitars but they never seemed to get to a conclusion. I can still return it back to guitar center but I really like the flame of the neck and the guitar itself... has anyone had this issue? I've already contacted Ernie ball and I'm awaiting their response. The guitar center agent also told me that he could front part or all of the cost of having a guitar center technician take a look at it and potentially fix the issue. I'm leaving a link to the exact model I bought.

Platinum Ernie Ball Music Man Sabre HH Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar Honey Suckle | Guitar Center

Get the best price on our Platinum Collection Ernie Ball Music Man Sabre HH Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar, only at Guitar Center!

www.guitarcenter.com

 

[beej]

Hi- I've had this issue as well. In my case, there was a plastic shim in the neck pocket and so the neck always move just a little when you applied pressure. I had it resolved by replacing the plastic shim with a thin piece of sandpaper, the same thickness.