Question on the need for a truss rod adjustment

[rcs1]

Do you ONLY do truss rod adjustments when you need to correct bowing issues? So if your bow seems OK (according to manufacturer's specs), you should not touch the truss rod, correct?

I ask because I have the action as low as possible on my new ESP, without buzz. But I swore my old ESP's action was a tad bit lower (without buzz) from the factory. I'm just wondering if the difference could be in the truss rod adjustment. They are the same model guitar with the same gauge strings. I checked the bow (via ESP's owner's manual) and it seems to be in spec.

Thanks

[Dana Olsen]

Hey RCS1 -

All guitars are individuals that vary slightly from one another. Factory specs are the right place to start, but you just have to play around with subtle variations to find what works best for YOU, on each guitar. That includes the relief.

Regards to action - the biggest factor in getting your action lower is how level the frets are, which also varies from guitar to guitar. To get the lowest possible action, you'll have to re-level, or 'mill' the frets, re-round each individual fret - a "level and re-crown" job. Cost you $60 to $100 from a good tech.

Then you'll KNOW that the frets are level and that you'll be able to get the action as low as possible on that particular guitar.

The action will feel the lowest on the lower frets with a dead straight neck, but a little relief might make it feel better overall, and easier to play in the middle and higher frets.

For lowest possible action, you have to establish a baseline of level frets first - that's the difference between your current guitar's action and the previous one.

Hope this helps, Dana O.

[senseofrelief]

Your 'bow'....'seeming ok'...vs 'knowing it's ok' are two different things...

At issue here is your need to start learning how to set up a guitar....your either happy with what the manufacturer or guitar tech set up for you, or your looking to tweak, optimize, etc..

If the latter, then you need to start by doing the research on what the truss rod does, it's purpose....if your further driven to explore this, then I suggest you dig into doing your own guitar setups...and I suggest a cheapo guitar to experiment with.

It's a process that a few of us went through, and we are certainly better off for it, by knowing that much more about our instruments and being ultimately better players because of it.

Carry on.

[EADGBE]

Originally Posted by rcs1

I'm just wondering if the difference could be in the truss rod adjustment.

Sometimes. Or the neck angle could be off, or the neck could be warped, or the frets may not be level.

Is the action too high in your opinion?

[rcs1]

I really hope the f'n neck isn't warped. Guitar is a few days old! The action is just OK, my last ESP M1 was noticeably lower. Also, the guitar is not staying in tune like my last one (same model). When my last ESP M1 came, it was in tune out of the case and never went out of tune, during the whole month I owned it (wiring issue, had to return). This one seems to go out of tune after one song.

My last few guitars I've setup to my liking, without the need to touch truss rod (including Floyd Rose type bridges). I really shy away from going anywhere near it, it scares me. ESP supposedly sets these up when they arrive in the US warehouse. These are pretty much special order, so no one ever keeps them in stock. It's not like they have been sitting in a warehouse for months or years. I had to wait 2 months to get mine, since their CA warehouse was out (waiting for shipment from Japan).

I'm planning on bringing it to a tech on Thursday.

[Rod]

Sounds like it needs a set up and it needs to get acclimated to your playing and environment. Guitars have very distinct personalities. Don't give up on him. He's new to your world.

[rcs1]

Well I had it setup. Its playing much better. However, the G string does not want to stay in tune. It goes slightly flat after playing a song. All other strings seem ok. Any ideas? I have Gotoh locking tuners on this bad boy

[EADGBE]

What brand of strings are you using? And are they old?

[rcs1]

Ok, 5 minutes after I typed this, I played a fairly fast solo twice (Cemetery gates). It stayed in tune and made a liar out of me. They are brand new D 'Addario 9s