Truss rod screw loose and still not enough bow

[Silverburst]

This guitar came in this week, and the neck was about straight as an arrow, so I wanted to loosen the truss rod a bit to get some more clearance. I noticed it was already very loose, and when loosening it some more just felt like screwing a screw out with no resistance at all. I prefer 4 springs in the back because it tends to give a more stable tuning so I did add 1 string to the 3-in-arrow that were in. I did get a tiny bit clearance, but not enough to be good. It is stringed with 10-46 and that's what I like as well so I would prefer to keep that gauge.

I made sure it was a loose as it could get and let it rest for a few days, but alas, no extra clearance.

What could I do to gain a little extra bow ? I was thinking of putting extra tension on the neck by screwing the string-plate screw in as far as possible, making the floyd pull, and leave it a few days like that, but my guess was that once I put them back in balancen the neck would restore itself a few days later.

[BJRGuitars1]

For single action truss rods there should be some bow when the truss rod tension is released. Otherwise it's considered a bad neck (if it's new guitar, exchange it for another). A qualified tech can induce bow by applying heat to the fingerboard - which softens the glue joint between it and the maple back - at which point bow is created using clamps. The neck is then allowed to cool back into its new, bowed shape. It's an extreme solution, but it does work.

[XcitR]

Originally Posted by BJRGuitars1

For single action truss rods there should be some bow when the truss rod tension is released. Otherwise it's considered a bad neck (if it's new guitar, exchange it for another). A qualified tech can induce bow by applying heat to the fingerboard - which softens the glue joint between it and the maple back - at which point bow is created using clamps. The neck is then allowed to cool back into its new, bowed shape. It's an extreme solution, but it does work.

BJR is right... been there, done that! It is fixable, but make sure to take it to a reputable guitar tech. The glue has to be heated and the neck bent slowly as the glue re-dries. The guitar tech used a neck heater and the right clamps and had to adjust it a little at a time until it was fixed (mine took over a week following.) Happy to report, there is now tension on the truss rod and everything is the way it should have been.

[Manticore]

sounds like a warrenty issue to me

[CrossingStar]

Originally Posted by Silverburst

What could I do to gain a little extra bow ? I was thinking of putting extra tension on the neck by screwing the string-plate screw in as far as possible, making the floyd pull, and leave it a few days like that, but my guess was that once I put them back in balancen the neck would restore itself a few days later.

The quick thing to do is take the neck off and stand on it. Depending on your weight I suppose, maybe one foot. I have an old Ibanez Roadstar neck that, when I tighten the rod, then back it off it sticks in the tightened position. So I stand on it and it gives. Although, this is a beefier neck and I weigh 130lbs.

If you're too timid for standing, maybe take the neck off and give it a quick push with your arms while it's flat on the ground, using your upper body.

When I stand on it I have the head stock and heel raised up a little with blocks.

[Silverburst]

yikes, that all sounds quite extreme...

Well, A week after I installed the 4th trem spring I got a tad extra relief, so that helps ! Weather is very dry these days (we're not used to that) as well. My other guitars have a straighter neck as usual.