LP Standard Twisted Neck

[breadfan]

My '04 LP Standard has had a bit of fret-buzz since I bought it, about three years ago. I've rarely played it as I've been working abroad for most of that time.

Anyway, I've got to play it a bit lately & the buzzing has been getting on my nerves so I left it in with the local guitar shop yesterday to get an opinion. They thought a simple truss rod adjustment should sort it out, but when I went to collect it today they said they weren't able to fix it & it appears the neck is twisted. They adjusted the truss rod & raised the action a little, thinking that might fix it but, to be honest, I think it's worse now.

I've been reading some horror stories about twisted necks this evening &, since I won't get to take it to a good tech for about two weeks, I was hoping to get some reassuring words from some of the luthiers on here.
What do you guys reckon?


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Edit: Photos up now

[Alex]

It's hard to impossible to establish the problem over the internet. Buzz in different fret areas are usually caused by different problems.

Buzzes on open strings - nut too low
Buzzes around frets 2-7 - truss rod does not give enough bow
Buzzes on high frets (10+) - action too low

Other problems, that can cause fret buzz
- uneven frets, often when one is worn down or others have become loose
- downtuning, obviously

[breadfan]

I figured as much.

It's buzzing pretty much everywhere below the 12th fret now.
The low E is particularly bad all the way up, the G up to the 7th fret & the E up to about the 10th. But basically everywhere below the 12th. I know it's hard to gauge it without seeing it in person.

The nut is a replacement, installed by the previous owner. It's a good job but I had wondered if this was the problem. But, since there's also buzzing when fretting, I figured it wasn't. It may be one of the problems. There had been a lot of buzzing on open strings before, when the action was as I'd want it (& as low as I've had other LPs set up, without issues). It's not as bad now but the action is considerably higher.

The frets are in excellent condition & none appear loose. I've always used 10s & I don't use alternate tunings on this guitar.

I don't see a bow on the neck at all, it appears pretty much straight to me. I'm pretty confident working on all aspects of the guitar but I just don't feel good about adjusting the truss rod. Should I try adjusting it slightly or would I be better off just leaving it to a tech? Can any adjustments I make be undone or is it possible I may damage it permanently?

[richard]

It doesn't look twisted. I left my SG alone for a few months and had terrible buzzing problems when I got around to playing it again. Did you leave it in the case tuned to concert pitch ? My guitar guy sorted it easily. Hopefully yours can do the same.

[breadfan]

Thanks, I hope you're right! I can't see it for sure but I've convinced myself it's there now.

It was in its case the entire time, tuned down about two steps for the majority of that, but it would have been at concert pitch for a couple of months anyway.

I'll hopefully get it in to the tech before the weekend so I'll keep my fingers crossed until then.

[Philly Q]

I agree with Richard, I don't think it looks twisted, although it's hard to judge from photos (the LP's cutaway makes it a bit harder to tell).  The line of the nut seems to be parallel with the top of the guitar.

[FELINEGUITARS]

I'd probably need to look at it to be sure of what it would need.

It may require some fret dressing (we could help with that)

Or it might require a refret and having the board carefully levelled prior to the new frets going in in an attempt to remove the effects of the twist (again we could assist with that)

[breadfan]

I agree with Richard, I don't think it looks twisted, although it's hard to judge from photos (the LP's cutaway makes it a bit harder to tell).  The line of the nut seems to be parallel with the top of the guitar.

It's hard to judge in person too, though I don't think I've the best eye for these things. The guy in the shop didn't think it sounded too bad before he did any work on it - & it was bad -  so hopefully he's got it wrong. I shouldn't have left the guitar with him.

I'd probably need to look at it to be sure of what it would need.

It may require some fret dressing (we could help with that)

Or it might require a refret and having the board carefully levelled prior to the new frets going in in an attempt to remove the effects of the twist (again we could assist with that)

I'm in Ireland. I'd have been in touch already if I was anywhere near you. I'm getting a well regarded tech in Dublin to have a look at it this week.

Might the guy in the shop have done any irreversible damage by adjusting the truss rod? Like I've said, it's playing worse now. Would you recommend I leave the strings slack until I can get it to the tech, or will it make any difference?

[Shag101]

Me personally have found my Gibson's to buzz more than my Strat style guitars when both have the same action height.  I found that when I use Light Top/Heavy Bottom string sets, I can have nice low action with minimal buzz on my Gibson's. 

Neck Relief: Fret the low E at the first and 15th fret (not 12th) reach to the 7th fret and tap string. There should be a small space between string and fret - no thicker than a piece of paper (one business card). Do the same with the high E.   (if the space between string and fret is the same for high and low e, then i cant see how the neck is twisted)  note: if u need more gap, then turn truss rod counter clockwise.  if u need less gap, then turn truss rod clockwise.......dont be afraid  :D

Action: Fret low E and high E at first fret and measure the distance from the bottom of the string to the top of the 15th fret.
Low E = 5/64"
High E = 4/64" (some like 3/64, but i find that too low for me, plus it buzzes)
note: turn saddle wheel to adjust height...

neck relief should be done 1st, then action...

the more you play around the more familiar you will become with what the guitar needs.  you gotta start sometime....again...guitars are very forgiving...so dont be afraid....take it slow and go from there...

[breadfan]

Thanks for such an in-depth reply! I have, however, already left it with a tech. Much to my relief, he doesn't think the neck is twisted, it's just badly in need of a set up. It was in a bad way when I left it with him so fingers crossed that is the case.

Your method makes perfect sense, I wish I'd have known about it before. As I said earlier, I'm just a little reluctant to touch the truss rod. I'll be braver next time!

Another thing I didn't mention; after the guy in the guitar shop had worked on it, the high E was catching between the fret and the binding, particularly on the 2nd & 3rd frets. The tech I've left it with said this was because the neck was too straight but that it can be a problem with guitars with bound necks. It wasn't an issue before the guy in the guitar shop adjusted the truss rod. Has anyone experienced this?

[breadfan]

I should add that the frets are in excellent condition