Les Paul neck: can't set enough relief; solutions?

[cardinal]

Picked up an LP finally (Epiphone LP Classic 7 string). Strung with the Elixir set (10s) and the truss rod completely loose, the neck is just about dead straight. I like a lot of relief to let the low B string breathe a bit.

Any ideas, other than move to a heavier string gauge?

BTW I didn't leave the truss rid loose. I put it back to where it still has some tension on the rod.

 

[Bloodrock]

Unlike Gibsons, Epiphones have a two way truss rod. Once it's completely loose, keep turning the rod counter clockwise and it will get tight again and push the neck forward as opposed to pulling it back (clockwise rotation). Lots of guitars have these type of truss rods these days.

 

[charveldan]

It take a truss rod 24 hours after adjustment to fully take new shape.

And ur only spose to turn it 1/4 turn at a time but I've done 1/2 & 3/4 before.

Overtighten and ur done ...

 

[cardinal]

Unlike Gibsons, Epiphones have a two way truss rod. Once it's completely loose, keep turning the rod counter clockwise and it will get tight again and push the neck forward as opposed to pulling it back (clockwise rotation). Lots of guitars have these type of truss rods these days.

Woah seriously? I've never even heard of that. Thanks! But this guitar's from 2000, so maybe it's a single action rod. I'll give it a try.

And it's just a truss rod. Some folks seem to think it's a hand grenade or something. I turn it one way; I turn it another 'til I get it right.

Thanks again.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

What gauge is on there? 9-59 is bare minimum

 

[cardinal]

^ it has Elixir's 10 set for 7 strings.

 

[moltenmetalburn]

That 1/4 " turn is to scare you so you don't break it. Use caution and intelligence and you can turn it as much as you like within reason.

 

[moronmountain]

Sand the finish off the neck, soak it in water, then have your little brother stand on the fretboard right in the middle of the neck for about 12 hours. Should have plenty of bow to it after that.

 

[Bloodrock]

Unlike Gibsons, Epiphones have a two way truss rod. Once it's completely loose, keep turning the rod counter clockwise and it will get tight again and push the neck forward as opposed to pulling it back (clockwise rotation). Lots of guitars have these type of truss rods these days.

Woah seriously? I've never even heard of that. Thanks! But this guitar's from 2000, so maybe it's a single action rod. I'll give it a try.

And it's just a truss rod. Some folks seem to think it's a hand grenade or something. I turn it one way; I turn it another 'til I get it right.

Thanks again.

If it uses an allen wrench and not a socket type adjustment wrench, it should be a two way. Every Epi I've owned had one. Just try turning it counter clockwise about 1 turn or so more and see if it starts to tighten up again the opposite way.

 

[cardinal]

^ yup it takes an Allen key/wrench and not a socket. I'll try it and see what happens. Thanks!

EDIT: definitely not a two way rod. After several runs, it never caught again. Just kept backing out the nut. So, still can't get enough relief...

 

[Schaf]

^ yup it takes an Allen key/wrench and not a socket. I'll try it and see what happens. Thanks!

EDIT: definitely not a two way rod. After several runs, it never caught again. Just kept backing out the nut. So, still can't get enough relief...

Take it to a reputable luthier. They"ll know how to fix it if it can be. A situation like this isn't an easy fix. When it's the oposite situation, It requires a jig and some clamps to take the relief out. Not sure what they do in your situation.

 

[glip22]

Screw the nut back on until it is is barely finger tight. Back it off a full turn so it is loose. Get a heavier set of strings and over tune them a couple of steps. Pull carefully on the neck from where the head stock meets the neck while holding the guitar and supporting the body with your other hand and arm. Check the nut and relief again. Report back.

 

[cardinal]

Neck seems to slowly be moving. I just got it, and it was shipping with the strings slacked. Then I had the strings completely off when swapping pickups (got interrupted in the middle, so it spent a few hours with no string tension at all). Took a look today and there seems to be a bit more relief in the neck. Maybe it just needs to get use to having strings again.

I ordered a heavier set of strings, too, so we'll see how that does. Thanks again.

 

[charveldan]

Neck seems to slowly be moving. I just got it, and it was shipping with the strings slacked. Then I had the strings completely off when swapping pickups (got interrupted in the middle, so it spent a few hours with no string tension at all). Took a look today and there seems to be a bit more relief in the neck. Maybe it just needs to get use to having strings again.

I ordered a heavier set of strings, too, so we'll see how that does. Thanks again.

24 hours to take new shape everytime you fuck with it.

Told U yesterday bro ...