How To Fix A Warped Guitar Neck

Are you having problems with your guitar neck? Does it feel like there’s something wrong with the way it plays?

You might have a warped guitar neck.

Warped necks are usually caused by changes in temperature or humidity, but they can also be caused by physical damage.

No matter the cause, you need to know how to fix it so your instrument will play again.

In this article, we’ll discuss what a warped guitar neck is, how to tell if yours is warped, and ways to repair and prevent it from happening again.

So if you’re ready to learn more about fixing the warped neck of your guitar, read on!

What is a warped guitar neck?

A warped guitar neck is when one side of the instrument is lower than the other, creating a winding staircase-like effect on the frets.

Proper setup for a guitar involves having an appropriate degree of bow or relief which depends on both the type of guitar and personal preferences. However, it’s important that there isn’t too much back-bow (the neck protruding upward towards the strings) or up-bow (a concave curve away from the strings).

To maintain correct tension in your guitar strings, you’ll want to ensure your fretboard has been properly adjusted so it doesn’t become warped.

So what can cause a guitar neck to warp?

What can cause a guitar neck to warp?

There are several factors that can cause a guitar neck to warp.

Let’s take a closer look at them:

The string tension and guitar neck warping

Strings under too much tension can cause a neck to twist, so don’t over-tighten them!

The average guitar has about 160lb of string tension on it at all times, which is enough to cause strain on the neck.

If you use heavier gauge strings or tune your guitar up too high, this can increase the tension to the neck and put even more stress. To avoid warping, try not to go above standard tuning and stick with lighter gauge strings.

Additionally, if you’re using an older guitar without an adjustable truss rod, be extra careful when tuning, as there’s no way to adjust the tension once it’s set.

With these precautions in mind, you should be able to keep your guitar from warping due to string tension.

Now onto another common cause of neck warping:

The broken truss rod and guitar neck warping

The truss rod is an important component of guitars and other stringed instruments. It helps to keep the neck straight and counteracts the tension produced by the strings when they are tuned.

If the truss rod breaks, it can cause a number of issues, including:

• Inaccurate tuning
• Difficulty in playing
• Uneven fret heights
• Warped necks

In these cases, it is important to have a professional fix or replace the truss rod as soon as possible in order to avoid any permanent damage to your guitar’s neck and playability.

The humidity and guitar neck warping

When humidity levels aren’t properly managed, it can cause unseen damage to your instrument’s structure and playability.

One of the most common issues caused by high humidity is a warped guitar neck. This can be very frustrating for those trying to keep their guitars in good condition. To prevent this from happening, you should keep your guitar in an environment where the relative humidity stays between 40-50%.

If you live in an area with high or fluctuating humidity levels, consider investing in a humidifier for your guitar case or storage space.

You should also check the neck periodically for any signs of warping or twisting and make sure that all tuning machines are tight and secure. By taking these measures, you’ll protect your guitar from unnecessary damage due to incorrect humidity levels.

Temperature swings and guitar neck warping

You’ll be surprised by the damage that temperature swings can do to your instrument, so keep it in a consistent environment – not too hot or cold.

When temperatures change drastically, wood will expand and contract. This can cause the neck to warp.

To prevent this from happening, try to keep your guitar in an area where temperatures remain relatively constant. If you must move it from one extreme environment to another, allow for some time for the instrument to adjust before playing it again.

Also, if you’re storing your guitar for long periods of time, make sure that it’s kept in a climate-controlled space.

Wood age and guitar neck warping

In addition to changes in temperature and humidity, the age of the wood used for a guitar is also an important factor. Over time, even if it’s stored in ideal conditions, natural products like wood can become more brittle and neck can become warped.

This is why it’s important to check any pre-owned guitars or those made with aged wood for any signs of warping before purchasing them.

You want to avoid being stuck with a warped neck after investing in a guitar.

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent this from happening – properly storing your guitar and using humidifiers are just some examples.

Differences between a bowed neck and a twisted neck

Now, we’ll help you to understand what are the differences between a bowed neck and a twisted neck:

Cause

A bowed neck is caused by straining strings and tension, while a twisted guitar neck results from deformation where the neck turns at an angle.

Effect on playability

A bowed neck affects playability through higher action and an uncomfortable playing experience. A twisted neck of a guitar makes playing more challenging due to the angled strings and can lead to buzzing sounds.

Impact on tuning

A bowed neck causes the guitar to go out of tune frequently, while when the neck is twisted can make chords sound out of tune due to finger placement on angled frets.

The common signs of a warped neck

The signs of a warped neck are:

Fret Buzz

Fret buzz is caused when the strings vibrate against the frets, and this can be very problematic if the neck of the guitar is warped.

The most common symptom of a warped neck is that some notes will cause fret buzz while others will not.

Depending on how much the neck twists, fret buzz can become so extreme that playing certain notes becomes nearly impossible.

Fretting out

Fretting out can cause notes to sound tinny and quickly fade away, making playing difficult. This issue can be caused by a variety of factors, most commonly an uneven or warped neck on the guitar. Sometimes your frets may not sound properly at all, meaning you have dead frets and you have to replace them.

Bad intonation

A warped neck can put your intonation out of tune. When the neck’s warped, the strings vibrate at different frequencies, causing them to sound off-key and out of tune.

This poor intonation is extremely noticeable when playing up the fretboard, as each note will sound slightly out of tune. To fix this issue, it’s important to identify and address any action issues that may be present on your guitar.

Issues with guitar action

Guitar action, or the distance between the strings and the fretboard, can significantly impact your playing experience. If the action is improperly set, it may lead to various issues that make playing a struggle.

To check whether this is truly an issue of a warped neck, look at the frets around the middle of the fretboard: if they’re not all level with each other or one side has higher action than the other, then it’s likely that your neck is warped.

Also, if one side has incredibly tight action compared to the other side having a large gap between strings and fretboard, then there’s definitely something going on with your guitar’s neck.

How to tell if your guitar neck is warped?

You can determine whether your guitar neck is warped by eyeballing or measuring it.

Eyeballing method

Looking at your guitar’s neck under a light can give you a quick indication of whether it may be warped or not. Here are three steps to eyeballing your guitar:

• Raise the guitar to the level of your eyes and bring it to the nearest light.
• Look for dips between the fourth, fifth, and sixth frets where the strings meet the fretboard.
• Turn the guitar around so the neck is closest to your face, and check for shadows between the fourth and sixth frets on the bottom strings.

Any other shadows could indicate warping in your guitar neck, so it’s best to confirm with measuring tools before taking any further action.

Measuring method

Measure the straightness of your guitar neck using a perfectly straight ruler or straightedge. Place it on a level work surface and put your finger between the first and twelfth frets, or first and fourteenth if it’s an electric guitar.

If there is no gap, then you have a back-bow. To check for up-bow, place your finger on the sixth string at the eighth fret and highest fret. You have an up-bow if it isn’t flat against the fretboard, particularly between the twelfth and fourteenth frets.

Finally, check for neck warping by placing your finger on the first fret of the sixth string and moving it down the neck. Pay attention to the gap between the string and the frets. If the gap gets smaller as you go along, it indicates a warped neck. This will give you an idea of the amount of adjustment needed to fix the issue.

Tools you need to repair a warped guitar neck

These are the tools you need to repair a guitar with a warped neck:

• Clothes iron
• Clamps
• Rubber pads
• Neck cradle
• Tension block
• Eye hooks
• Extra low E string
• Fine chisel
• Paint scraper
• Dead blow mallet

Having these tools is crucial for a successful neck repair. They enable you to adjust and fit components affected by warping, ensuring they are level with each other again.

How to fix a warped guitar neck – a complete step-by-step guide

Taking the following steps will help you repair the neck and get your instrument playing like new again.

Remove the fretboard

To do this safely and effectively:

1. Make sure your iron is set at its highest temperature setting with maximum steam output.
2. Move up and down the fretboard with your iron for 5 minutes before starting to pry apart.
3. Use a fine chisel or paint scraper when prying apart.
4. Use a dead blow hammer if there is resistance while prying apart.
5. Lift evenly from top, middle and bottom of the fretboard when removing.

Once everything is taken care of properly, you can put your guitar back together securely.

Secure the guitar

Now that the fretboard’s been removed, it’s time to secure your guitar’s body. This will help guarantee you don’t worsen the warp and save your time.

To do this, lay the guitar down so that the neck is supported in the middle of a cradle. Place rubber pads between the body and any clamps you’re using to protect its finish.

Tighten all your clamps until your guitar is completely secured and cannot move in any direction.

With the instrument securely fastened, you can now begin preparing for tensioning. Affix the tension block to the headstock side of the neck. The tension block will provide stability while allowing for an even distribution of pressure when turning truss rod nuts later on. 

Prepare the tension block

Prepare the tension block by quickly affixing it to secure your guitar’s neck.

To make the tension block, get a solid piece of hardwood, like oak or mahogany. Measure out the distance from the headstock and secure two eye hooks into either end.

Then, firmly attach the tension block to your workbench either by screwing or bolting it in place. Line it up with either 3 and 5 tuning pegs on a 3×3 headstock or right around the middle of a 6 in line headstock.

Once this is done, you’re ready to attach strings.

Attach the Strings

Attach the strings to your guitar’s headstock, and get ready to tune up. Secure one of the low E strings to the 2nd string tuning peg and the other string to the 5th string peg.

After both strings are attached, make sure each is secured onto its respective eye hook. For extra protection, add rubber pads between the strings and headstock. This’ll help prevent any damage to the neck when tension is applied.

Make sure that it sits snugly so as not to cause any unwanted buzzing or rattling noise. Once everything is in place, you’re ready to tighten your strings.

Tighten the strings

Gently turn the tuning pegs until the strings are tight, and then slowly heat up the neck to help pull it back into shape. You’ll want to tighten the string on the high side of the warp, but be sure to do it gradually with quarter turns so you don’t cause any damage.

As you’re turning each peg, inspect your progress regularly and make sure that it’s getting closer to being straight again.

Once you’ve achieved your desired shape, keep the tension in place for at least 24 hours before releasing it. This will ensure that the neck is set properly and won’t warp again.

Release the Tension

Once you’ve achieved the desired shape, hold the tension for at least 24 hours before slowly releasing it. It’s important to be patient when releasing the tension, as doing so too quickly may cause the neck to revert back to its previous warped condition.

Here are some tips for releasing the tension safely:

• Gradually loosen each string one at a time.
• Move around the strings in a clockwise direction.
• Use your ear and stop when you hear a change in pitch or tone.

Doing this will help ensure that you don’t over-adjust and avoid any damage to your instrument.

Now that the neck is straight, it’s time to reattach the fretboard securely.

Reattach the Fretboard

Now that the tension is released, it’s time to reattach the fretboard. First, apply a thin layer of glue along the surface of the neck and fretboard where they bond. This ensures that when you clamp them together, no air pockets will be created.

Next, carefully align the fretboard with the neck and use clamps on either side to hold it in place for 24-48 hours so that it can cure properly. Be sure to follow any manufacturer instructions concerning how long you should let your guitar dry before playing it again.

Finally, restring your guitar and check once more with your feeler gauges to make sure everything is in order.

How to prevent your guitar neck from warping

To prevent this issue from happening again, these are the measures you should keep in mind:

Protect Your Guitar: Store it in a Hard-Shelled Case

A hard-shelled case will protect your guitar from dirt, dust, and other environmental factors that can cause damage over time.

Not only that but having the guitar snugly held in place within the case prevents warping of the neck due to accidental bumps or drops.

It’s also important to avoid leaving your guitar out in direct sunlight or extreme temperatures as this can contribute to warping of the neck too.

So, keeping your instrument safely tucked away in its hard-shelled case is a great way to help maintain it and keep it playable for years to come.

Maintain optimal temperature

Maintaining the right temperature is essential for preserving your instrument’s condition, so, as we already said – don’t let it get too hot or cold! To ensure the longevity of your guitar, maintain a consistent temperature within the room.

Maintain ideal moisture levels

To maintain ideal moisture levels, you can use a guitar humidifier. A guitar humidifier is essential for any serious guitarist who wants to avoid warping and other damage to their instrument.

It helps keep the humidity levels of your guitar in check even when temperatures fluctuate.

The humidifier fits on top of the sound hole and releases moisture into the air surrounding the strings, helping maintain an optimal humidity level for your instrument. Not only will this help prevent warping, but it will also keep your strings from drying out and help them last longer overall.

Conclusion

Fixing a warped guitar neck is totally possible. With the right tools and some patience, you can get your guitar back into playing shape in no time.

And don’t forget to take precautions to help prevent neck warping in the future. Get yourself a good quality humidifier, avoid extreme temperatures or humidity levels, and try to keep your guitar out of direct sunlight whenever possible. You’ll thank yourself for it later!