Notifications
Clear all
Topic starter
09/04/2009 4:17 pm
I have an Ibanez Axe; RG4EX1 to be exact. I haven't played it very often, but here recently I have started to. It has Ibanez's Edge III Trem system on it. Very nice playing guitar. However, I have noticed a situation that really bugs me.
When I hold the guitar & put a bit of forward pressure on the neck near the first few frets, the neck makes a "cracking" sound. Same thing when I dive the trem arm down the whole way.
It sounds like it is creaking at the neck joint, but I tightened all 4 screws there & they are tight. Any ideas how I could pinpoint this problem?
rparker, no advice from you... :lol:
Seriously though,, if rparker has any ideas I will listen to his as well, I was just referring to his strat neck thread! :mrgreen:
09/04/2009 5:57 pm
I would usually assume the neck-body joint, but other things to check:
trem pivot studs: make sure one or both are not loose, e.g., leaning forward
trem springs: all mounted securely? is the claw secure, with all mounting/tension screws holding securely
locking nut? if so, make sure it's locked. also check for cracks around the holes that mount the locking nut.
if not a locking nut, check for loose nut ( :shock: ), loose tuners
have Ray leave the building, and make sure the truss rod in not loose or close to loose. if it is loose (usually rattles when you tap back of neck), then tighten it up just enough to take up slack and stop rattling.
also check neck, body, headstock for crack (probably already did this)
or maybe your trem's knife edge pivots just need a little lubricant. parts of some trems (springs, pivots) are known to creak.
-=tension & release=-
Topic starter
09/04/2009 6:41 pm
Hi gnease,
Some good suggestions, I will try to have a look at all that stuff tonight & post back with my findings. Good advice, especially the part about having Roy leave the building. :mrgreen:
10/04/2009 1:47 pm
Sorry "Ray" ... meant to write Roy.
-=tension & release=-
10/04/2009 11:49 pm
I've got a maple neck for sale.....real cheap! :mrgreen:
Roy
"I wonder if a composer ever intentionally composed a piece that was physically impossible to play and stuck it away to be found years later after his death, knowing it would forever drive perfectionist musicians crazy." - George Carlin
11/04/2009 12:25 am
I've got a maple neck for sale.....real cheap! :mrgreen:
I might be interested ... really.
-=tension & release=-
11/04/2009 1:28 am
I might be interested ... really.
If I don't decide to use it as a learning tool, you're on. Maybe trade a few pair fo strings or something..... I'll PM you in a week or two.
Roy
"I wonder if a composer ever intentionally composed a piece that was physically impossible to play and stuck it away to be found years later after his death, knowing it would forever drive perfectionist musicians crazy." - George Carlin
11/04/2009 3:13 am
gotcha
-=tension & release=-
Topic starter
11/04/2009 9:22 pm
Ok you "neck pocket" experts, need some direction here.
gnease :) (and others!)
I have narrowed down the main creaking noise to the neck pocket. The trem is also making a creaking sound, but I will address that one later - one issue at a time. I removed the neck, & I notice that the pocket is not smooth finished at all. Ibanez left this one pretty rough.
I am thinking that I should sand it smooth, so the neck will lay as flush/tight in the pocket as possible. The neck fits into the pocket pretty tightly otherwise, it is just the rough finish job that I am thinking might be allowing the neck to "float" ever so slightly. I really had to work to get the neck out of the pocket, it was that tight.
What is the best way to sand this down, so I don't alter the shape of the pocket too much, or develop a belly, etc.?