Strange noises in the neck when doing whammy dives

[graziomanu]

Hello everyone out there. I recently got an RG2027X (absolutely awesome instrument ) but today i noticed a strange noise coming out of the neck (well, it seems to come from there) when i do heavy whammy dives: it happens almost always when i pull the bar down or up, it's like a 'crack' which almost makes me believe some string broke or went out of tune; the strange thing is that the guitar stays perfectly in tune: i expected it would detune but it's always ok. What could that be? The sound seems to come 'out' of the neck (seems like it originates from inside of it). I don't think it's a BIG problem.. but i'd like to know if anyone here has experienced it before me.

I also have to say that it was the first time i did some whammy bar abuse.. i have had the guitar for just a week

Thanx in advance!

GM

[MicJustMic]

"Neck creak"

Very common, mine does (well, did) this when I would first push or pull the bar.

It's simply the wood on wood in the pocket creaking, not really moving. There's a lot of tension there and you're hearing it working against itself is all.

Since it's not going out of tune I'd guess it's not much to worry about. Since it does it EVERY time though, to reduce the annoying factor, try some talc inside the neck pocket (you'll have to either remove the strings after blocking the trem, or remove the trem still strung. www.ibanezrules.com for directions on this.)

Carefully remove the neck, keeping track of what screws go where, put just a little talc in the neck pocket and replace.

This is what I did and the creak went away.

Mic

[wilch]

could also be that the nut is loose.

wil..

[MicJustMic]

Originally Posted by graziomanu

the strange thing is that the guitar stays perfectly in tune: i expected it would detune but it's always ok.

My experience tells me that if the nut was loose the guitar wouldn't stay in perfect tune, usually if something moves the guitar will go out of tune.

I still reccomend going to Rich's site and going through the checklist just to make sure everything is tight, but just as a precaution, since it stays in tune I'm going to guess that everything is actually tight.

Mic

[ibanez otaku]

I got a 550 delivered for parts recently that was doing this. Creak with all the big whammy dives. Never heard this on my Jems, but I did it over and over to locate the source: the neck pocket. I didn't do anything with talcum powder, just tightened the neck.

That fixed it completely. Hurrah!

[Petie]

It happens to all new guitars until the wood settles, it's nothing to worry about. It feels/sounds to me like it has more to do with the wood moving around the truss rod than in the neck pocket, but I dunno. All I know is after about a month of regular whammy-twanging, it goes away.

[sniperfrommars1]

Originally Posted by Petie

It happens to all new guitars until the wood settles, it's nothing to worry about. It feels/sounds to me like it has more to do with the wood moving around the truss rod than in the neck pocket, but I dunno. All I know is after about a month of regular whammy-twanging, it goes away.

IVe seen 10 and 12 year old rgs that STILL do this no matter how much the neck pockets are tightened . It has nothing to do with the wood *settling* its not like the wood is drying.

[frankfalbo]

I think what he means is until the neck settles into the pocket. Sometimes those noises go away if they're caused by debris or the wood lifting around the screw holes. It that can eventually wear its way into the opposing wood. Especially in basswood. If the neck pocket is heavily finished, then it may never go away. I said this in another thread somewhere, but I lightly countersink my neck holes so the screw goes in clean and doesn't lift the wood around it. That can interfere with a tight joint.

This is a little more advanced, but I also route away the finish if it's in there. You can't just go at it because it will chip away the finish, so you have to sand/file the edges to prepare them. Even with sharp bits if the finish has poor adhesion you'll lose some. It makes a difference in tone and fit. Sometimes I'll use that as an oppotrunity to put a little neck angle in there, to avoid shims and give a little more whammy room. But you wouldn't believe the difference. Some Korean neck pockets look like they were cut with a butcher knife, and then they gunk up the finish over it.

At least take a razor blade across it once or twice to hack off any high spots. Or use a flat file. If there's "router rash" it will be like a pebble in your shoe. Best if you get it out.

[Petie]

Originally Posted by frankfalbo

I think what he means is until the neck settles into the pocket.

Yep.

[Drew]

Hey Grazio, Zara off guitarwar here. I saw the name, then saw the location... Miss your stuff, man, you going to be around anytime soon?

I used to own a 2027- amazing guitar. I just found myself preferring the tone of my 7620- I guess I'm just not the mahogany type. Go figure. Anyway, enjoy the thing.

My 7620 does this too, a bit- I'll try the talc and see if it makes a difference.

-D

[graziomanu]

Uhm...

thanx a lot for the feedback guys. This is truly the most amazing resource for Ibanez related stuff

Since the guitar is just 2 weeks old, i think i'll give her the benefit of the doubt (hihihihi) and wait a few more weeks while i'll do the heaviest use of the whammy (things that Vai himself would be afraid to do! Poor strings! LOL).
Thanx to everyone!

PS. HEY ZARA! (uhm, Drew) How's it going man? I have been off GW for a long time now.. i miss it and all of you guys See ya soon!

[graziomanu]

Problem solved guys!

I dunno why today i put my finger on the string locking thing (dunno the exact term!! sorry) at the base of the headstock while pulling the whammy bar to produce the creak.. and the creak was the thing that was moving! So i just had to tighten lightly the two screws at the back of it and it's gone. Please let me know if i did anything wrong! eheh

Thanx a lot bye!

[CrossingStar]

doesn't pertain in your case, but i found it was the pickguard on my Universe creaking on the low B side, where it touches the neck. I just took the screw out there and it stopped.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by graziomanu

Problem solved guys!

I dunno why today i put my finger on the string locking thing (dunno the exact term!! sorry) at the base of the headstock while pulling the whammy bar to produce the creak.. and the creak was the thing that was moving! So i just had to tighten lightly the two screws at the back of it and it's gone. Please let me know if i did anything wrong! eheh

Thanx a lot bye!

Now tighten everything else, because if the nut was that loose it's guaranteed everything else is.

Originally Posted by CrossingStar

doesn't pertain in your case, but i found it was the pickguard on my Universe creaking on the low B side, where it touches the neck. I just took the screw out there and it stopped.

You're not fixed until you take a round file and trim the pickguard back, just because it's not squeaking anymore does not mean it's not interfearing with the return of the trem.

[wilch]

Originally Posted by graziomanu

Problem solved guys!

I dunno why today i put my finger on the string locking thing (dunno the exact term!! sorry) at the base of the headstock while pulling the whammy bar to produce the creak.. and the creak was the thing that was moving! So i just had to tighten lightly the two screws at the back of it and it's gone. Please let me know if i did anything wrong! eheh

Thanx a lot bye!

didn't i say that earlier?

wil..