Gibson L-5CT - Slight neck issue

[Lux]

So -

I had an L-5 CT shipped to me from the US, here to the EU. It arrived safe and sound and is a gorgeous sounding instrument - really impressed with how it plays/sounds.

One issue - they shipped it with the bridge off (assuming so it wouldn't move around and scratch the guitar) and there is a slight back bow in the neck. I realize the bridge being off for 3 days may not have anything to do w/ the back bow...so I set it up with .12 Chromes and played it for a day and let it sit for about 12 hours, and it does appear that some of that is gone, it looks straight-ish now. I've only had the guitar for 24 hours and plan on giving it a few days to 'settle in'.

Question for the experts - assuming I give some relief to the neck via truss rod (don't trust myself to do this, will take it to a tech) will this be solution?

I can't say I'm happy that a new, expensive Gibby has a back bow but it this common or maybe not an issue that can't be fixed with a truss rod adjustment and some time?

Lux

[Nabil B]

I'm no expert but if I buy a guitar and notice it has a defect I return it immediately. And when you buy a guitar in that price range you definitely have the right to expect nothing less than a flawless instrument.

[oldane]

Don't worry. Chances are your new guitar is perfectly OK.

Any guitar neck will be pulled into a backbow when the string tesion is taken off without loosening the truss rod. That's perfectly normal. It is now straight with the 12s on, and that's normal too. Just have a technician adjust the trussrod to you preferred degree of relief (or lack thereoff if you wish).

The very idea of the truss rod is to add a pull on the neck in the opposite direction of the string pull in order to outbalance this. If the strings are slacked and the trussrod is left unadjusted, the trussrod will pull the neck backwards. The same way, the neck will be pulled forward if the strings are left tuned up to pitch and the truss rod is slacked.

[oldane]

I'm no expert but if I buy a guitar and notice it has a defect I return it immediately. And when you buy a guitar in that price range you definitely have the right to expect nothing less than a flawless instrument.

It's most likely not a defect. See my post above. Shipping the guitar back across the Atlantic Ocean to the US for a trussrod adjustment simply doesn't make sense. Any guitar technician (and many guitarists themselves) can handle that in less than 5 minutes.

Apart from what I have written above, any change in string gauge will likely necessitate a slight adjustment of the trussrod. In this case the OP installed a set of new strings of his own preference.

I have never ever taken delivery of a guitar without adjusting the setup to my liking (action, relief etc.)

[TH]

Of course the neck will not be straight. It's been set up to resist the pull of 6 strings and then it's been left for a while to pull without the strings' counter pull. Theoretically you've put that back in but it's not a pulley you're dealing with. Take it to a tech as soon as you can, you want to put it right, and in the event that the truss rod is not working(a possibility, stripped, broken, etc) the neck has a localized warp (or a twist) or some other problem, you should know as soon as possible.
I would assume that everything will come in OK, is the bow consistent on the bass and treble sides? If it comes in just right on one side and bowed on the other you may be looking at a twist.
Either way, have a techie put your mind at rest and you may consider learning to do it yourself. Neck relief is a simple operation and good to be able to do. I might note that in changing strings in the future, you might change them one at a time to avoid this kind of trauma to the neck.
Good luck! Have a long and happy run with the guitar, hope it's a keeper!
David

[Nabil B]

Ok I read too fast and understood that the neck still had backbow "after" truss rod adjustment. My mistake.

[Woody Sound]

It's really not hard to do yourself. Just don't do more than 1/8 turn at a time and you'll be fine.

[Lux]

Thanks for the responses, everyone -

I did change the strings but they are the same gauge as the ones that were on there - I did take it to my tech this morning, I don't think the neck is warped, just has a decent back bow.

I'll have them work on it and if it's still a problem I will arrange to return it. I'd like not to as the guitar sounds fantastic, aside from the buzzing on the neck.

I was under the impression that a well-made guitar would not have a back bow even with the strings removed but sounds like maybe this is normal? I'll let you know how it turns out.

Lux

[Lux]

Will do! As soon as she is back from the tech later this week

[Jimmy Mack]

A tech taking a few days to adjust a trussrod?.......

It will be fine. and every now and then, you may have to adjust it again, and then again....after a while.

Hey Woody Sound: where in WNY are you?

[Woody Sound]

A tech taking a few days to adjust a trussrod?.......

It will be fine. and every now and then, you may have to adjust it again, and then again....after a while.

Hey Woody Sound: where in WNY are you?

Our house literally sits right on the O.P./Hamburg border just down the street from the Ralph Stadium. We pay O.P. town taxes, but Hamburg school taxes. Screwy. I commute daily to Amherst for work. Helluva congested drive on 219/90/290. But we just bought a house in Amherst so we'll be moving there over the next few months. You? Maybe we know each other.

[Woody Sound]

Will do! As soon as she is back from the tech later this week

Heck, I'd have done it for you for free in a few minutes just for the pleasure of playing it

[Clamps]

Gibson's ship with brite wires 10's...no?
Let's see some pics of the offending backbow neck!

[Lux]

So, I've had some .12 flatwounds on there for 2 1/2 days now, and the neck is basically straight...going to give it a few more days to settle and then take it in for a slight truss rod adjustment if needed.

As an FYI, here are some of the specs...I know Gibson changes these from time to time, and even though they are calling these the CT I believe they are actually a CEST...this is a 'custom crimson' model so it's also possible the dealer or someone else ordered this guitar w/ certain specs, of course.

Nut: 1 3/4
Scale: 25.5"
depth: 2 5/8 (yeah, it's 5/8).

I'm a terrible photographer, but here are a few pics:

[henkkicken]

Congrats, a very nice guitar ! Looks like things work out well, so enjoy Lux !

[Clamps]

I was hoping a few days with strings on would settle your neck issues!

[Woody Sound]

Excellent. The thinner CT body looks very comfy, and the 1-3/4 nut sounds perfect.

[rpguitar]

That's just about as perfect a functional and iconic jazz box as they come. Play her in good health.

[Lux]

Thanks, all!

The neck is really comfortable - nice rounded profile and medium/large...not skinny which is nice for my hands.

I also really like how the body depth isn't too much smaller than an L-5 - just enough to make it more comfortable to play. Nice guitar for sure!

[Woody Sound]

How about a shot looking straight down the neck? (from the head)

[oldane]

Excellent. The thinner CT body looks very comfy, and the 1-3/4 nut sounds perfect.

I have a Painter P-350 with exactly those specs. 17'' body, 2.5'' thick, 1.75'' nut width. Wery comfortable, very ergonomic. My favorite electric. This L5 should be a keeper for the OP.

[Lux]

How about a shot looking straight down the neck? (from the head)

Surely --- will these work?

[Woody Sound]

The first picture would work if you could get it even more lined up, looking straight down the neck binding.

[Lux]

Like this?

[Woody Sound]

Well just a tad more forward would help, but that's closer. It does look awfully straight, without any relief at all. (But I actually prefer my own guitars to be that way.)