Setting the Action

[Dazza1004]

I have noticed on my Jem the strings seem highest around the 12th fret.

Probably just need a tweak of the truss rod I can't figure out which way to turn it and if I will need to adjust the bridge height.

I could just have a play but I have been having some tuning issues with this guitar which I think I have sorted so I would like to avoid making un-necessary changes.

edit) one thing I have never been clear on, when it says turn the rod clockwise (or anti-clockwise) would this be from the perspective of looking down the neck from the headstock ?

Cheers

[Philly Q]

Sounds like you have too much relief on the neck - it's bowing forward.

You need to tighten the truss rod, i.e. turn it clockwise (from the perspective of looking down at the top of the truss rod nut itself).   Don't do more than a quarter turn :!: , then leave it for a few hours to settle before tightening again if necessary.

You'll probably find that once the neck is straight (or has just a little reflief) you'll need to raise the bridge slightly as the action will be too low at the upper frets.  I'm assuming it has a Floyd/Edge trem, so you may need to slightly adjust the trem springs a bit too, to get the bridge how you want it. :)

[FELINEGUITARS]

Darren - was this the Jem that we set up 18 months ago?

If so you probably wont need to touch the height of the bridge, but may need to make a slight truss rod adjustment.(assuming that the height hasn't been changed at all since). Seasonal changes can make this necessary.

And as long as you are still using the same gauge of strings and tuning you wont have to touch the springs as Philly suggested as the system should already be balanced

Put a capo on at the first fret , and hold the skinny E down at the 17th fret See how much clearance there is at the 8th fret!
If you tighten the rod you want it so you can just see light between the top of the 8th fret and the underside of the string when holding it down as described.

[Philly Q]

Fair enough Jonathan, I was assuming it was a fairly substantial bow forward.  :)

[Dazza1004]

guys, thanks for the input.

It's a different Jem to the one you set up Jonathan, what a top job you did on that one btw.

This guitar has seen a lot of different gauge strings and tunings over the last few years so I think just needed a bit of tlc.

I made the adjustment you suggested Philly and combined with a tweak to the bridge it's much better.

The problem is I know (based on the set up Jonathan did on my other Jem) it could be much better but it's live-able for now. When I have finished mucking about with string gauges I will send it to Jonathan for a full set up.

thanks again chaps

[FELINEGUITARS]

No problem
Sorry if I cut across you Philly - suspect your advice was spot on too..

Just was checking if it was the same Jem as I'd seen before, which it wasn't as things turn out.

Thanks for the thumbs up Darren! :D