• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 12:01
CEST 18:01
KST 01:01
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
TL.net Map Contest #22 - Voting1Code S Season 2 (2026) - RO8 Preview4[ASL21] Finals Preview: Two Legacies21Code S Season 2 (2026) - RO12 Preview2herO wins GSL Code S Season 1 (2026)7
Community News
StarCraft II 5.0.16 PTR Patch Notes may 26th55Weekly Cups (May 18-25): MaxPax wins doubles0Crank Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League4Weekly Cups (May 11-17): Classic wins double0Code S Season 1 (2026) - RO8 Results2
StarCraft 2
General
Changing from 12 to 8 is just asking for StarCraft StarCraft II 5.0.16 PTR Patch Notes may 26th TL.net Map Contest #22 - Voting herO wins GSL Code S Season 1 (2026) Code S Season 2 (2026) - RO8 Preview
Tourneys
GSL Code S Season 2 (2026) Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament Crank Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League GSL Code S Season 1 (2026) Maestros of The Game 2 announcement and schedule !
Strategy
[G] Having the right mentality to improve
Custom Maps
[D]RTS in all its shapes and glory <3 [A] Nemrods 1/4 players
External Content
Welcome to the External Content forum Mutation # 527 Hell Train The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 526 Rubber and Glue
Brood War
General
VPN experiences Quality of life changes in BW that you will like ? Pros React To: ASL S21 Finals Every Matchup's Top 5 Winrates (all ASLs & KSLs) BW General Discussion
Tourneys
[ASL21] Grand Finals Escore Tournament StarCraft Season 2 [BSL22] WB Final & LB Semis - Saturday 21:00 CEST Small VOD Thread 2.0
Strategy
Any training maps people recommend? Muta micro map competition [G] Hydra ZvZ: An Introduction Fighting Spirit mining rates
Other Games
General Games
Nintendo Switch Thread Tiranga Gaming Color Prediction ZeroSpace Megathread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Path of Exile
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Vanilla Mini Mafia Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas TL Mafia Community Thread Five o'clock TL Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Trading/Investing Thread Dating: How's your luck?
Fan Clubs
The herO Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece Anime Discussion Thread [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books
Sports
McBoner: A hockey love story 2024 - 2026 Football Thread TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 Formula 1 Discussion
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread Facing Challenges in Mobile App Development
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Customization Drives Loyalty…
TrAiDoS
Why RTS gamers make better f…
gosubay
ramps on octagon
StaticNine
ASL S21 English Commentary…
namkraft
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 2183 users

guitar help

Blogs > redtooth
Post a Reply
1 2 Next All
rredtooth
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
5464 Posts
February 08 2010 05:33 GMT
#1
i just noticed today that my guitar has a pretty bowed neck. notes up the neck (starting from around the 5th fret) are sharper than they should be even when the guitar is perfectly tuned. i assume this is due to the neck being warped and as far as i can tell it seems warped a little bit visually too (then again i might just be suffering from confirmation bias). does anybody know how to fix this problem? a quick google search says not to touch my truss rod and another tutorial involved me removing my frets and sanding the fretboard. does anybody know what i can do to fix it? i would like the lowest cost solutions possible.

i have a mexican telecaster btw, if that helps at all.

*****
[formerly sponsored by the artist formerly known as Gene]
bongjwa
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
United States199 Posts
February 08 2010 05:46 GMT
#2
well, theres not really much you can do other than buy a new neck for it.

one thing you could try is taking it to a guitar specialist that, or really anyone that is good at shaping wood that you know. they can tell you if it is refrettable or replaneable. .

a quick fix to try would be to use heavier gauge strings to see if the added tension will help correct the bowing.


is it bowed up or down? since you said slat im guessing down but ya never know
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=123578 <--- my tournament. sign up!
DeathByMonkeys
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
United States742 Posts
February 08 2010 05:53 GMT
#3
Yeah I agree with bongjwa, I'd definitely take it to a guitar expert and get his opinion on the matter. I wouldn't touch the rod because that's a delicate procedure that could make it worse, so if it's gonna happen I'd let someone who knows what they're doing handle it.
Crimson
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
United States311 Posts
February 08 2010 05:54 GMT
#4
Adjusting the truss rod is usually not a good idea unless you know what you are doing. It is possible to really damage the neck if you do something wrong.

Another idea is to check the intonation (basically how in tune the notes are on each fret). If every fret is sharp as you say, the string length is actually too short. I have no experience with teles however, so I would not know how to go about telling you how to fix this.

If there is a bow in your neck though, you should take it to a shop for a set up.
rredtooth
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
5464 Posts
February 08 2010 05:55 GMT
#5
don't know the distinguishing features of bowed up or down (like i don't know which way is which) but the middle part is jutting backwards (away from the strings). the strings are further from the neck in the part that it is bowed. i guess that means it bowed down?
[formerly sponsored by the artist formerly known as Gene]
Crimson
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
United States311 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-02-08 05:59:48
February 08 2010 05:58 GMT
#6
On February 08 2010 14:55 redtooth wrote:
don't know the distinguishing features of bowed up or down (like i don't know which way is which) but the middle part is jutting backwards (away from the strings). the strings are further from the neck in the part that it is bowed. i guess that means it bowed down?


You have a bow. Bending away from the strings is called a bow. Bending towards the strings is called a back bow.
FragKrag
Profile Blog Joined September 2007
United States11565 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-02-08 06:00:52
February 08 2010 06:00 GMT
#7
Get it to a guitar tech

If you don't know what you are doing you will just break it further. If you mess up your intonation/truss rod, the reparations will cost more than your guitar if it's a mexican tele.

After taking it to the guitar tech, I suggest buying a hardshell case for the guitar if you care about it.
*TL CJ Entusman #40* "like scissors does anything to paper except MAKE IT MORE NUMEROUS" -paper
rredtooth
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
5464 Posts
February 08 2010 06:00 GMT
#8
On February 08 2010 14:54 Crimson wrote:
Adjusting the truss rod is usually not a good idea unless you know what you are doing. It is possible to really damage the neck if you do something wrong.

Another idea is to check the intonation (basically how in tune the notes are on each fret). If every fret is sharp as you say, the string length is actually too short. I have no experience with teles however, so I would not know how to go about telling you how to fix this.

If there is a bow in your neck though, you should take it to a shop for a set up.
i first noticed when i tried tuning by ear because my tuner said it was in tune and i was SURE it was out of tune. my A on the E string (so the 5th fret on the first string) was not anything like the open A string. i just tried the same two notes an octave higher (so 17th fret on E string and 12th fret on A string) and they sounded fine.
[formerly sponsored by the artist formerly known as Gene]
rredtooth
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
5464 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-02-08 06:05:12
February 08 2010 06:04 GMT
#9
On February 08 2010 15:00 FragKrag wrote:
Get it to a guitar tech

If you don't know what you are doing you will just break it further. If you mess up your intonation/truss rod, the reparations will cost more than your guitar if it's a mexican tele.

After taking it to the guitar tech, I suggest buying a hardshell case for the guitar if you care about it.
that's what i'm debating. i'm estimating at least $50 to fix (that's a really generous estimate imo and i don't even know if it's fixable) a 7+ year old mexican tele (worth $325 at the time) so in my mind it's debatable whether i should fix it.

edit: and i'm really short on money nowadays. i guess i'm just screwed.
[formerly sponsored by the artist formerly known as Gene]
Crimson
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
United States311 Posts
February 08 2010 06:06 GMT
#10
On February 08 2010 15:00 redtooth wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 08 2010 14:54 Crimson wrote:
Adjusting the truss rod is usually not a good idea unless you know what you are doing. It is possible to really damage the neck if you do something wrong.

Another idea is to check the intonation (basically how in tune the notes are on each fret). If every fret is sharp as you say, the string length is actually too short. I have no experience with teles however, so I would not know how to go about telling you how to fix this.

If there is a bow in your neck though, you should take it to a shop for a set up.
i first noticed when i tried tuning by ear because my tuner said it was in tune and i was SURE it was out of tune. my A on the E string (so the 5th fret on the first string) was not anything like the open A string. i just tried the same two notes an octave higher (so 17th fret on E string and 12th fret on A string) and they sounded fine.


If it is only out of tune around the fifth fret, it might be the fret itself. But, I really do not know what it could be if that is the case. I say take it to a tech. They will know that to do. It might cost some money, but it would be cheaper then if you mess up and have to get repairs on top of fixing the original problem.
koreasilver
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
9109 Posts
February 08 2010 06:13 GMT
#11
Uh, did you properly intonate the guitar at all by adjusting the saddles to begin with? And how bowed are you talking about? Get a picture of the neck so I can see if there's actually a bad problem with the curvature of the neck or if you just simply need to adjust the saddles. the intonation getting out of whack from the 5th fret is pretty fucking extreme though.

And adjusting the truss rod incorrectly can do some bad damage to the neck but if you do it very carefully by turning it by only a quarter turn, leaving it for a day, looking at the neck, turn it another quarter, etc., it should be pretty safe.

But we need some good pics of this, and give us some measurements of how far off the strings are from the fretboard.
Glaucus
Profile Joined June 2009
479 Posts
February 08 2010 06:15 GMT
#12
You can't perfectly tune a guitar. Of course that's not what you will try, but it's good to know. Doesn't your guitar allow you to adjust intonations? Can't you shuft the saddles, changing the length of the string part being fretted?

If you can see the neck if obviously wrapped then that's not good. But if you have intonation problems you may be able to do something to make it better.
gilligan
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
Sweden36 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-02-08 06:29:27
February 08 2010 06:23 GMT
#13
First do this

put a capo on the 1st fret.

now hold down the 14th fret, or whatever fret is at the start of the neck:
[image loading]


now you're using the string as a straight edge measurement tool to see the relief of the neck, fret the 5th or 6th fret, whichever is in the middle between the two points you're fretting. (1st, 14th)

See how big the distance is between the D string and the the fret, lightly tap it to see how much light shines thru, normally, there should be LESS distance between the fret and string than a 0.12 HIGH E string. 0.04-0.08 is ideal, more than that would be for strummers and HARD fngerpickers in some cases.

B If there is too little or no space between the string and fret, you should loosen the truss rod. Which is completely safe.

If theres too much distance, slightly tightening the truss rod 1/8 of a turn a time, wait 10-20 minutes after each adjustment, check the distance again, and tighten it another 1/8 of a turn. If there is alot mroe distance than theres suppose to be you might have to tighten it 3-5 times this way. And unless someone has madly tightened your truss rod earlier, you should be very safe, all guitars that hasnt been adjusted can be adjusted safely quite a bit before you BREAK the truss rod, which take a god damn idiot to do. as you will essentially have to FORCE the truss rod really hard to do that


anyway if you need more help just ask
gilligan
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
Sweden36 Posts
February 08 2010 06:25 GMT
#14
On February 08 2010 15:15 Glaucus wrote:
You can't perfectly tune a guitar. Of course that's not what you will try, but it's good to know. Doesn't your guitar allow you to adjust intonations? Can't you shuft the saddles, changing the length of the string part being fretted?

If you can see the neck if obviously wrapped then that's not good. But if you have intonation problems you may be able to do something to make it better.


unless you use this fret system! perfect intonation!
[image loading]
JohnColtrane
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
Australia4813 Posts
February 08 2010 06:27 GMT
#15
WHOA my eyes hurt after looking at that
HEY MEYT
koreasilver
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
9109 Posts
February 08 2010 06:29 GMT
#16
That will only have "perfect intonation" for one key though.

And I think waiting 20 minutes after adjusting the truss rod is a little too short. I'd wait at least an hour.
gilligan
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
Sweden36 Posts
February 08 2010 06:31 GMT
#17
one hour is for 1/4 turns or more dog
gilligan
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
Sweden36 Posts
February 08 2010 06:32 GMT
#18
btw 1/2 turn of a truss rod a day is 2 much, 2/5 at most or so
koreasilver
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
9109 Posts
February 08 2010 06:36 GMT
#19
I usually just turn 1/4 a time when I start off and leave it alone for a day. Repeat. I've never done 1/8 turns before and I was just comparing it to the 24 hours I do for 1/4 so idk. I don't really have a lot of experience with truss rod adjustments as I've only had to adjust it once, which was on my tele.
gilligan
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
Sweden36 Posts
February 08 2010 06:38 GMT
#20
i usually do 1/4 turns to begin with, then fine tune it very small turns, 1/8 or even less

just realised op has an electric guitar, but i assume this same concept applies

electrics suck
1 2 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Big Brain Bouts
16:00
#118
Shino vs Scarlett
Bly vs DnS
Serral vs ByuN
RotterdaM681
Liquipedia
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
ByuN 761
RotterdaM 681
Rex 114
ProTech83
StarCraft: Brood War
Sea 1883
Jaedong 1638
Horang2 1251
EffOrt 1087
BeSt 391
Soulkey 367
Light 334
Mini 318
actioN 311
Rush 294
[ Show more ]
ggaemo 290
Zeus 170
Sharp 140
hero 120
Mong 94
Sexy 64
JYJ 50
ToSsGirL 37
Sacsri 35
sorry 29
Barracks 28
GoRush 20
Rock 20
soO 17
ajuk12(nOOB) 13
Terrorterran 8
Dota 2
qojqva1546
Gorgc544
Counter-Strike
fl0m1521
Other Games
singsing3321
B2W.Neo930
hiko824
Beastyqt508
Grubby264
DeMusliM181
QueenE100
Liquid`VortiX96
XaKoH 81
KnowMe63
Mew2King57
Trikslyr47
fpsfer 1
Organizations
StarCraft 2
WardiTV684
Counter-Strike
PGL222
Other Games
BasetradeTV178
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
[ Show 17 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• StrangeGG 109
• Gemini_19 35
• poizon28 22
• Kozan
• Migwel
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• sooper7s
• intothetv
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
StarCraft: Brood War
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
• BSLYoutube
League of Legends
• Nemesis3767
• Jankos2417
• TFBlade1035
Other Games
• WagamamaTV249
Upcoming Events
Replay Cast
7h 59m
RSL Revival
14h 59m
Lambo vs SHIN
Solar vs Rogue
herO vs Clem
Maestros of the Game
18h 59m
IPSL
23h 59m
ZZZero vs WorsT
Julia vs eOnzErG
BSL
1d 2h
TerrOr vs Dewalt
Bonyth vs eOnzErG
Replay Cast
1d 7h
RSL Revival
1d 14h
Maestros of the Game
1d 20h
OSC
1d 20h
IPSL
1d 23h
Dragon vs Artosis
dxtr13 vs Hawk
[ Show More ]
BSL
2 days
Wardi Open
2 days
Monday Night Weeklies
2 days
Replay Cast
3 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
3 days
WardiTV Spring Champion…
3 days
Maestros of the Game
3 days
The PondCast
4 days
Maestros of the Game
4 days
Replay Cast
5 days
Replay Cast
5 days
WardiTV Spring Champion…
5 days
Maestros of the Game
5 days
Replay Cast
6 days
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
6 days
Maestros of the Game
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

ASL Season 21
2026 GSL S1
Heroes Pulsing #1

Ongoing

2026 KK StarCraft Pro League
BSL Season 22
IPSL Spring 2026
KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 2
KK 2v2 League Season 1
Acropolis #4
CSCL: Masked Kings S4
Escore Tournament S2: King of Kings
SCTL 2026 Spring
WardiTV Spring 2026
2026 GSL S2
RSL Revival: Season 5
Stake Ranked Episode 2
CS Asia Championships 2026
Asian Champions League 2026
IEM Atlanta 2026
PGL Astana 2026
BLAST Rivals Spring 2026
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
BLAST Open Spring 2026

Upcoming

YSL S3
BSL 22 Non-Korean Championship
CSLAN 4
Blizzard Classic Cup 2026
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
CranK Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League
HSC XXIX
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
Maestros of the Game 2
Heroes Pulsing #2
Bounty Cup 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer Qual
Stake Ranked Episode 3
XSE Pro League 2026
IEM Cologne Major 2026
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.