Loose neck

[erogenousjones17]

I'm having an issue with the neck on my W LPS. It seems loose somehow. The screws are well-tightened, and it's well-seated in the pocket, but if I shift it while I'm playing it goes off pitch. How much of this is normal stuff that I've just never noticed before?

 

[Mor Paul]

Perhaps you're bending the neck.  ???

 

[Nando Vallart]

Not sure about... How do you shake the neck and it detunes?

 

[erogenousjones17]

Yes to both of you. I guess I am bending the neck, and if I shake it it goes way off pitch. I guess what I'm saying is that it seems too easy to bend (or shake).

...that's what she said...(couldn't resist)

 

[Nando Vallart]

But you shake it to the side or you bend the neck forward or backward?

 

[erogenousjones17]

Both have the same effect.

 

[Mor Paul]

it seems too easy to bend.

...that's what she said...(couldn't resist)

They've got medicine for that.

 

[Mor Paul]

does it go sharp or flat?

 

[-CB-]

First of all... the words NEW WARMOTH came up.

Its very common, almost a defacto element, that new necks need settle in time.  Also, have you strung it up, and STRETCHED in the strings by pulling up on them three inches or so at fret twelve?

And, have you made sure there are minimal wraps of string on the tuner peg (a common source of problems)?

And... yes, necks to flex a bit.  Any Gibson SG owner can tell you that.

 

[Mor Paul]

Any Gibson SG owner can tell you that.

A Mr. P. Townshend agrees.

 

[erogenousjones17]

The low E tends to go flat. The others return to pitch rather normally. Actually, the guitar isn't that new (it's been assembled for about a year) and the strings are well-wrapped, stretched and broken in.

Overall, it's not so much a huge problem or inconvenience but more a source of concern. I was just afraid that my guitar was going to come apart in my hands or that the neck would snap or something.  :laughing7:

 

[mayfly]

I was worried you were going to blame the screws  :icon_biggrin:

 

[-CB-]

well wrapped... is a subjective term.

How many wraps are actually on that low E?

 

[jerryjg]

Check all  neck screws are tight to the body and that neck is stable and won't shift. Check the nut, and this is most often the culprit. Many loose or badly adjusted  things along the line can cause tuning instability. Loose string tee screws, loose bridge saddle screws, Loose tremolo claw screws, loose tremolo bridge mount screws. Possibly even lose tuner screws tuners.
Take your neck to a pro, if you can find one. let him do a thorough set up. Neck holes , and even body  neck mount holes may need to be readjusted, filled and redrilled. Neck may need to be shimmed.
Good Guitar techs are like good mechanics- HARD to find, easy to get ripped off.

 

[tfarny]

Always suspect the nut slots first in any tuning issue. Especially since it's just one string - if your neck was really shifting you'd see them all out of tune wouldn't you?
Try pushing down on the low E behind the nut the next time it happens - if that brings you back into tune it's def the nut.

 

[GoDrex]

just curious - what kind of wood is the neck made of?



I had some problems with my mahogany neck. the screw holes got stripped almost immediately. I have an LP so it has a ton of wood in the pocket to keep it stable.

 

[erogenousjones17]

No mayfly, the screws are perfect.  :icon_thumright:

GoDrex: It's a mahogany neck...

tfarny: I went ahead and played the intro to "Iron Man" and the thing comes back in tune. So maybe there's a nut problem as well, but the neck itself still doesn't really "feel" right. It seems like it should be (or at least used to be) stiffer. I guess it's less a tuning problem than a "my guitar feels weird" problem.

Then again, maybe I'm just being nitpicky...

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

Possible intonation problem as well.  Is it out of tune open or fretted?

 

[GoDrex]

Well I've never seen or tried a Warmoth LPS  - but the neck joint on my LP is as solid as any guitar I've ever played. I don't bend the neck at all though. I used to do that when I was younger and it's bad for it.

I know there isn't a ton of wood on either side of the LPS neck pocket. Maybe it really needs those screw inserts to make it so you can really crank the screws tight.

 

[chrisg]

Have a look at this site - http://www.onyxforgeguitars.com/Insert%20kit.html[/color]]http://www.onyxforgeguitars.com/Insert%20kit.html

I've used them on my Tele and they work!!