Weird problems's developed, should I be worried ?

[wolf]

Over the past month or so I started having problems with my high E string slipping off the frets at the top of the neck of my beloved Drop Top.

Last night I finally got a chance to have a look and the neck/string alignment was slightly off... No big deal, loosened the screws, shifted the neck.. now realigned.

However, for the 1st time ever, I've noticed a gap between the neck and body at the bass side.. enough to fit a few pieces of paper in the gap.

I've never noticed this, it's always appeared to be very tight.

Could this have caused the neck shift and is there a reason it may have developed or is it likely I've simply never noticed it ?

Call me paranoid :confused:

[tom]

the shift is the nature of the old neck joint. it can happen just from putting the case down a little harder than normal. i usually shift them back under tension, then make sure the screws are tight. the shifting often gets you those small finish cracks in the corner of the pocket edge, but seldom actually cracks the wood. someone should invent a better neck joint...

[pipedwho]

...someone should invent a better neck joint...
Indeed. :D

[dannopelli]

... someone should invent a better neck joint...

I know a guy...

[John Price]

I know a guy...

Shhhh! Lets keep that a secret!......

[Pietro]

Yeah, I'm thinkin' more bolts would solve the problem... say... 8 or twelve? No?

[wolf]

It's the gap that's bothering me chaps.

I've never noticed it before but as I said, I can fit a business card in the gap and I've never noticed it before.

I can't even do that on my crappy Squite Strat.

Surely it can't be down to shrinkage ???? :confused:

[tom]

if it were shrinkage the frets would be sticking out a mile.
i suggest reseating the neck since it's moved.
loosen the strings.
loosen neck screws all the way.
hold the neck in correct position.
loosely tighten the screws.
torque them down doing an X pattern twice.
tighten strings to pitch.
loosen neck screws a half turn. this lets the neck seat fully into the pocket. keep a mild amount of pressure on the neck to keep it centered.
re tighten the neck screws. re tune.
this procedure is for four bolt and later 2009 necks. the 2006-2008 wedgies can not be set this way.

[wolf]

Done.

Can't even slip one single sheet of paper in the gap.. that's how I remember it.

Thank you Tom.

This thread should be saved for future reference, or at least the re set procedure ! :D :D :D :D

[tom]

when all the parts are made just right, it's usually very simple to get things back to normal if you follow the correct procedure.

[wolf]

Absolutely :D

[Big Harry]

Very useful thread , thanks to Wolf for asking and to Tom for the full answer ;)
Can we apply the same procedure to Fender Strat type of guitar ?

[pipedwho]

this procedure is for four bolt and later 2009 necks. the 2006-2008 wedgies can not be set this way.What's the difference between the the 2006-2008 wedgies and the 2009 necks?

[tom]

the v 1. of wedgie had the same taper cut on the end of the pocket as the sides. if you loosen the screws under string tension the strings could pull the neck up hill on that angle. on those, the screws need to be tightened without string tension. the v 2. is much more difficult to machine in the first place, but is more idiot proof out in the world. visually you can tell the difference because v 2 has the neck back wood going all the way to the end of the neck and v1 has just the fingerboard overhanging. both function as well, but maintenance on v2 is easier.
i can't say for sure whether this would work on a fender, i'm not sure how close the end of the pocket is machined. i know the sides are not particularly wonderful.