Bent neck on acoustic guitar

**bille** · 10th February 2008, 03:39 AM

Ok done a bit of lurkin' & searchin' but can't find a previous post with this or similar question.

I have a Martin D28 that's in it's 31st year and has developed a slight neck curve, haven't measured it but it's approx 1.5mm.

It has happened over the life of the guitar and I have asked a couple of questions on another forum which suggested that I should leave it as is.

However I have some residual problems after Carpal Tunnel operation operations on my hands and would like to put some lighter strings on and lower the action a little to make it a bit easier to play, as it is, with lighter strings I get a buzz.

I thought about getting a Luthier to have a look at it but cant find anyone experienced with rectifying curved necks who can/will supply references for past work, a few said "Yep no probs" but they didn't give me a lot of confidence.

C F Martin recommended someone on the East coast, I live on the West

Any suggestions?

**Sebastiaan56** · 10th February 2008, 05:55 AM

Sounds like a neck adjustment to me. There are a number of good luthiers in Perth, Tim Spittle (Australian Tonewoods) is one, I'll PM a few more,

Sebastiaan

**old_picker** · 10th February 2008, 12:26 PM

how curved??
put a capo on #1 fret
hold down #14 and measure with a feeler guage

70's martins will have a truss rod in the the neck block [i think]
which will adjust out the curve i am assuming it is up bow

**bille** · 10th February 2008, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by old_picker

how curved??
put a capo on #1 fret
hold down #14 and measure with a feeler guage

70's martins will have a truss rod in the the neck block [i think]
which will adjust out the curve i am assuming it is up bow

Yep has a Truss Rod and the curve is up.

BUT ... the Truss Rod is Non Adjustable.

I need to find my capo, will have a look for it and get back.

**Deano** · 10th February 2008, 04:52 PM

Is there any chance you could take a picture looking down the neck?.

**bille** · 10th February 2008, 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by Deano

Is there any chance you could take a picture looking down the neck?.

Deano, Thanks for the reply.

I'll probably need to take the strings off to get a good Photo and then try to figure how to post it here.

First however I would like to find my capo and do a fairly accurate measurement to determine the curve under load with the strings on tension.

So I'll have to come back.

Bill

**Deano** · 10th February 2008, 08:32 PM

DONT TAKE THE STRINGS OFF!!!!!!
It is easier to spot a neck with strings on.
Do you know how much relief is in the neck?
(Measure the 12th frett E and e string and the Last frett E and e string)

**RGM** · 10th February 2008, 09:25 PM

Originally Posted by Deano

DONT TAKE THE STRINGS OFF!!!!!!
It is easier to spot a neck with strings on.
Do you know how much relief is in the neck?
(Measure the 12th frett E and e string and the Last frett E and e string)

+1

As soon as the string goes, so does the tension.

**kiwigeo** · 11th February 2008, 05:59 PM

Take it to Tim. While Tim is working on your guitar you can drool over Tims cache of Aussie Tonewoods

**old_picker** · 11th February 2008, 06:52 PM

these non adjustable truss rod necks can be straightened by refretting with frets with oversized tangs - the extra pressure exerted by the tangs forces the neck into a backbow.....

wouldnt like to try that though

definitely a job for a real expert like merv cargill if he is still kicking

**bille** · 17th February 2008, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by Deano

DONT TAKE THE STRINGS OFF!!!!!!
It is easier to spot a neck with strings on.
Do you know how much relief is in the neck?
(Measure the 12th frett E and e string and the Last frett E and e string)

Deano & RGM

I'm ready to measure the relief in the neck.

I guessing this is measured without a Capo and when guitar is at full tune?

**bille** · 17th February 2008, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by old_picker

how curved??
put a capo on #1 fret
hold down #14 and measure with a feeler guage

70's martins will have a truss rod in the the neck block [i think]
which will adjust out the curve i am assuming it is up bow

Do I measure the curve at the 7th Fret?

Or just the biggest gap regardless of the Fret, and note which Fret.

**jeffhigh** · 18th February 2008, 12:53 PM

Just at the midpoint between the capo'd first fret and the held 14th and check it on both the 1st and 6th string.
what you are measuring is the distance between the underside of the string and the top of the fret.

**Hammered** · 19th February 2008, 02:29 PM

If you can't find your capo, any bit of string, elastic band etc will do the job temporarily. Just tie it on at the first frett.

If the strings have a bit of tension on them, by holding them down at the first and 14th fret, they effectively create a straight edge, making it fairly easy to see if you have a curve in your neck or not.

Originally Posted by old_picker

definitely a job for a real expert like merv cargill if he is still kicking

Last I heard Merv was still kicking, that was probably 4 years ago though. His son does it too. I think he's in Mordialloc area though, not much help to those in Perth

**old_picker** · 19th February 2008, 07:00 PM

seaford actually
here is the website

looks as though jim has taken the workshop to new hieghts
last time i was over there was 25 years ago at least
doubt that jim was doin much in the workshop in those days

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