Help getting neck relief on new Super Wide Strat Replacement

[s1player]

hello everyone - I have just installed and strung up a Warmoth Super Wide Strat Replacement neck on a MIM Robert Cray hardtail strat - 25.5" scale. Using an 18" Stew Mac fret level - I verified before installing that the frets were flat.

After stringing and tuning to E, I placed the fret leve on the first and last frets and measured the relief in the middle and it was still essentially flat. I loosened the truss rod via the side adjustment - by a total of 3 turns now - and the "relief" measured at the 8th fret is still only .010. And, yes, there is still buzz on all the strings when fretted at the 10th fret and above. So, this still implies that more relief is needed.

My questions:
1. using a fret level across the 1st and last fret - what relief measure should I be targeting? I have read .030 but what is the best number? (edit: i realize that relief set up is personal preference, so I am really looking for a measurement that is a good start point.)
2. How do I get more relief on the Warmoth neck? The last couple attempts at detuning, loosening the side adjuster nut (going counter clockwise) did not increase the relief. Also, the top of the hex bolt is approaching the face of the side of the neck - so I am concerned about it unscrewing entirely.

EDIT: Or - do I possibly just need to let it sit and "settle" in to the new adjustment? Seems time consuming, but if that's what I need to do, then I will be patient.

The warmoth instructions warn against loosening the side adjustment too much - cause if the hex bolt comes out - they are very hard to rethread. The top of the hex bolt is approaching the face of the side of the neck - so I am concerned about continuing to loosen this bolt and have the bolt come out entirely.

Appreciate the advice of folks on how to fix this problem.

 

[bagman67]

Let it settle overnight.  The wood can move slowly.  You shouldn't expect immediate results.  And for as many twists as you gave the rod, you may need to go the other direction once the neck has had time to adopt its new shape.  Bear in mind also that the side adjust is a fine tune mechanism, so it's possible you may need to make a gross adjustment at the neck heel.

The relief measurement you want is whatever is comfortable for you - if that's .030", then that's fine - but it's your guitar, so you should go with what feels good for you.

 

[s1player]

Let it settle overnight.  The wood can move slowly.  You shouldn't expect immediate results.  And for as many twists as you gave the rod, you may need to go the other direction once the neck has had time to adopt its new shape.  Bear in mind also that the side adjust is a fine tune mechanism, so it's possible you may need to make a gross adjustment at the neck heel.

The relief measurement you want is whatever is comfortable for you - if that's .030", then that's fine - but it's your guitar, so you should go with what feels good for you.

OK. I backed the adjustment back to 1 turn loosening. Will measure it again tomorrow to see where it comes out.

as to the .030" - I am just trying to get a sense for the ballpark I should be targeting. I can then customize it from there.

Thanks for your input.

Appreciate any other advice.

 

[AutoBat]

The side adjust is for fine corrections. If you run out of space with it you'll need to follow the reset instructions & adjust the coarse adjuster on the heel (yes you'll need to take the neck off to do that)
Hopefully you won't need to do that, but please be aware that can happen.

 

[s1player]

Ok. I have loosened the truss rod 1 turn the first day. Then, one half turn each day over the last 3 days. Then, let the neck guitar sit a day (other than playing some - I can't resist!) to settle in to the new adjustment.

So, that is 2 and one half turns.

It is getting better - but there is still some fret buzz on about the 14th and 15th fret up across the board.

With a neck like this that was installed straight - how many turns should I expect to have to make to get sufficient relief? Just need a ballpark number, as I am brand new at this.

Is one half turn loosening?
6 turns?

Other than not loosening the side adjuster all the way out - I am not sure how much side adjustment "normal" relief takes on a super wide strat replacement or a standard width Warmoth for that matter.

Also, beginning to wonder if the extra wood of a 1 and 7/8th nut is more stiff and causing the truss rod to minimally respond to these adjustments.

On the plus side, the neck is playable on the lower registers and the extra room of the super wide feels incredible for fingerpicking and bending - within chords and in general. Really enjoying the feel of this neck.

 

[Cagey]

I suspect you're already past the point where any further adjustment is going to have any effect. If you still have fret buzz, particularly if it's localized, you have a fret or two that are sitting a bit proud. Or, you could start adjusting bridge saddles.

 

[thearmofbarlow]

What radius is the board?