Question Truss rod adjustment on Albert Lee HH

[pinoy]

Hello,

I finally got the AL I ordered through GC last Monday. First off, this guitar is amazing! Somehow the Axis SS didn't not work out for me, but I'm glad I've found AL. Really love this guitar!!! Yesterday, I changed the strings from 10's to 9's, and as I expected, I started getting some 'buzzing' specially on the low E. No big deal, I figured I just probably needed to adjust the neck and give it more neck-relief. So, I followed the instruction on the FAQ on how to adjust the truss rod by turning it clockwise or counter-clockwise. Since, I wanted more neck relief or higher string action, I began to do a 1/4 turn counter-clockwise. And each time I made the adjustment on the truss rod I would wait at least an hour to give the neck time to adjust. But after a few of these 1/4 turn, I've noticed that the neck is not moving and the action is basically the same. I thought that was strange, but I told my self that I'll give the neck overnight to make its adjustment. But after almost a day of letting the neck to make its adjustment, the action is still the same. I started turning the truss rod again counter-clockwise, and this time I did almost a few full turn and still the action on the strings is the same. Am I doing something wrong? Shouldn't I at least see some movement on the neck either way? Or should I start getting worry that I might have a defective product? I hope not, because this is the 2nd time I'm ordering an EBMM guitar. I really want to keep this guitar this time. Please help the newbie. Thanks!

 

[Spudmurphy]

Tweaking the truss rod is not the only way to adjust the action. Sounds like the rod is just maxed out on the counter clockwise adjustment and it is laying "at rest" and not defective.
First off I would contact Customer Service before you take my advice.

if it was one of my Al's which are no longer under warranty, and I had the same issue, I would be looking to adjust the saddles. The truss rod adjust is just one of the aspects of action adjustment - don't forget it only acts on part of the neck not the whole shooting match.

Don't sweat on it - it will be fine - but CS first. (well really the pecking order is dealer/cs)

In the meantime , enjoy the guitar.

EDIT
oy yeah and welcome to the ALOC. Decoder ring and secret handshake instructions will follow.

 

[pinoy]

Tweaking the truss rod is not the only way to adjust the action. Sounds like the rod is just maxed out on the counter clockwise adjustment and it is laying "at rest" and not defective.
First off I would contact Customer Service before you take my advice.

if it was one of my Al's which are no longer under warranty, and I had the same issue, I would be looking to adjust the saddles. The truss rod adjust is just one of the aspects of action adjustment - don't forget it only acts on part of the neck not the whole shooting match.

Don't sweat on it - it will be fine - but CS first. (well really the pecking order is dealer/cs)

In the meantime , enjoy the guitar.

EDIT
oy yeah and welcome to the ALOC. Decoder ring and secret handshake instructions will follow.

Thanks, Spudmurphy! I will call my dealer (Guitar Center) later today and hopefully they have an answer for me. The Customer Service won't be available till Monday. I would probably still call CS just to make sure. The good thing about buying a guitar at GC is that you have 30 days to return the merchandise for whatever reason. Thanks again for your advise!

 

[Spudmurphy]

Thanks for your kind response. If I didn't already have 3 AL's I would get a HH AL - played a couple and they are awesome. Building up a "guitar kitty" to get another ball - I don't know if they will do one but a Silo with a GC would be choice. Let us know how you get on?

 

[pinoy]

Thanks for your kind response. If I didn't already have 3 AL's I would get a HH AL - played a couple and they are awesome. Building up a "guitar kitty" to get another ball - I don't know if they will do one but a Silo with a GC would be choice. Let us know how you get on?

The AL HH is really awesome! I really, really like it and it sooooooooo comfortable to play with. I stopped by Guitar cntr today and had their in-house guitar tech look into my guitar. Unfortunately, he too thinks that there is something wrong with the truss rod, and he recommended to return it and order another one. It's a shame because I really like the black with the white perloid pick guard. They don't have that option anymore so I ended up going with the all black AL HH (not too trilled abou it), but I'm sure it will be a good-looking guitar as well. Also, I know it's not that much, but I'm a little disappointed because I've put in the EB Cobalt strings and it is now going back to EB with my guitar EB if you're listening I wouldn't mind if you send me a new set of Cobalt coated strings I think, I'm one of the unluckiest first time EBMM guitar owner. This will be the second time for me returning the guitar, although I can't blame EB with my first return. So, I'll give it another shot, maybe the third time is the charm. I don't know what I'll do if for some reason the next guitar doesn't work out for me either.

 

[DrKev]

I would probably still call CS just to make sure.

A very wise idea at this stage. If you contact them by email, make sure to tell them which GC you are dealing with so they can contact them directly and get the guitars back to the factory for a check up.

Remember, in cases like this, calling CS is not just a good idea for you, it's also helping GC and CS!

 

[pinoy]

A very wise idea at this stage. If you contact them by email, make sure to tell them which GC you are dealing with so they can contact them directly and get the guitars back to the factory for a check up.

Remember, in cases like this, calling CS is not just a good idea for you, it's also helping GC and CS!

I called CS today and spoke to a gentelman (AJ) and explained to him what happened. He did say that the guitar will be returned to EB facility by Guitar Cntr. He also mentioned to me that sometimes that this kind of situation with the truss rod can happen. He told me that very rarely that the truss rod could get "stuck" and would not bend one way. He suggested, if it happens again, that you could help the neck by holding the backside of the head-stock and push it to the direction you want the neck to bend while holding down the middle part of the neck. He says that with enough pressure that the neck will go back to its normal position and free it from whatever stopping it to bend one way. Thanks!

 

[beej]

help the neck by holding the backside of the head-stock and push it to the direction you want the neck to bend while holding down the middle part of the neck

That's good advice, and it's what I do whenever I make a truss rod adjustment. Helps the neck settle.

Glad they helped you out.

 

[ozzyrules]

CS is the best in the business. A.J. rocks! Rest assured, your issue will be resolved, my friend.

 

[pinoy]

CS is the best in the business. A.J. rocks! Rest assured, your issue will be resolved, my friend.

They are....on both times I had to call CS, they were very helpful and really fast on answering your call. Impressive customer service considering how bad it is out there.

 

[fsmith]

Beej,
I was going to mention that but I didn't want to overstep and interfere with the preferred method of contacting CS first. It's a trick I learned from Tommy that like you I still do.

That's good advice, and it's what I do whenever I make a truss rod adjustment. Helps the neck settle.

Glad they helped you out.