Breaking in necks?

[Jem#5150]

as we all know, new guitars feel stiff from the factory, and take some time playing to get them smooth and buttahry. but how long does this take?

my UV neck STILL seems stiff compared to my jackson, i may be delusional, but what's the break in time for these? i do play it quite often when it is at the same house as myself (i have to go back and forth between my mom's and dad's every half of the week) and i've lately been playing ALOT, but still.

Any help w/ this?

[prestigeaxes]

a good spray of finger ease helps

[newbieguitarmaker]

send me the uv, ill break it in

[crevis]

I think this is another one of those guitar myths. It's much more likely that you become more accustomed to the guitar over time.

[TongueShredder]

Originally Posted by crevis

I think this is another one of those guitar myths. It's much more likely that you become more accustomed to the guitar over time.

+1. Adaptation do play a big part here.

[Dee]

I agree. I don't think "break-in" really exists. Over time, I guess the edges of the fretboard might become a little more smoothed off and less sharp, but a good setup plays the biggest part in making it comfortable. The kind of strings you use can make a very subtle difference. Keep the frets polished with 0000 grade wire wool. I noticed a nice difference when I first tried this, bends were much smoother when the oxidization was removed... but other than that, you'll have to get used to it.

[crevis]

Originally Posted by Dee

I agree. I don't think "break-in" really exists. Over time, I guess the edges of the fretboard might become a little more smoothed off and less sharp, but a good setup plays the biggest part in making it comfortable. The kind of strings you use can make a very subtle difference. Keep the frets polished with 0000 grade wire wool. I noticed a nice difference when I first tried this, bends were much smoother when the oxidization was removed... but other than that, you'll have to get used to it.

It's sortof cool though on crappier guitars to rough up the frets a bit and you can get really aggressive and long sustaining vibrato.

[Dee]

Sorry bro, I don't understand... how do rough frets affect sustain or vibrato apart from negatively? Am I missing something here?

[crevis]

They get scratchy so when you slide the string across it, it vibrates. I wouldn't do it to a good guitar because it only lasts a few weeks and probably takes alot of metal off it if you keep doing it.

[Dee]

Oh, now I get what you're saying!

[pete]

Personally I think the springs break in over time (very little) allowing slightly easier playing....and for the majority of it you definitely get used to the neck/guitar which makes it easier to play.

[JJEMMER777]

Originally Posted by crevis

I think this is another one of those guitar myths.

Yeah, exactly. Plus you are comparing a 7 to a 6 and the "stiffness" factor is bound to differ.

Have you treated your neck yet, Brandon??

A good Fret Doctor session always does wonders for the way my necks feel and play

[Dee]

+85,237 for the Fret Doctor comment. I wanna drink that lovely stuff.

[JJEMMER777]

Originally Posted by Dee

+85,237 for the Fret Doctor comment. I wanna drink that lovely stuff.

Ahhh....soo, you've had 85,237 drinks of the lovely frothy F.D. and soon it'll be 85,238??? Right???

[Dee]

Jim! I didn't realize you were a mathematical genius!!! You're just too good for your job, ya know?