Guitar Care for my JBLP (Page 1 of 2)

I agree with Alex.  A "proper" setup is a subjective thing.  If you're not sure how to do it yourself then a trustworthy music store can help you.  It's a fairly easy operation but you could do damage if not done correctly.

I like my necks fairly straight (no bow) and a low action so I measure the strings at 1/16" at the twelth fret and then adjust the truss rod so that there's no buzz or fret noise.  All my guitars are setup exactly the same except for my Avion AV-4 which is for slide work.  There the action is set fairly high.

Good luck, Patty.

Hi Patty. I don't believe for one second that neck has any warp to it whatsoever.
As stratovari says, "sometimes there are too many "someones" who think they know all."
and sometimes they don't have your best interests at heart.
That's a very high quality instrument and I'd take it to a reputable shop for a proper setup.
It's not expensive and in some cases you may even be able to get the tech to allow you to hang around so you can see what he's doing and do it yourself next time.
I just wouldn't mess around with the neck relief if you're not experienced. You don't want to screw up the truss rod or the neck. You can learn to do everything else yourself, setting up the action(string height), string changes, etc..
Electric guitars aren't nearly as reactive to humidity changes as acoustics are so if your house is humidified for the winter you shouldn't have a problem.
I don't think it would hurt to put a proper guitar humidifier in the case's small storage compartment but don't put it anywhere on the guitar itself. Too much humidity can affect the electronics and if it wets the finish it could stain it or worse.
That's a great guitar and if you're still not sure I'm sure the tech that sets it up for you can properly advise you on how to keep it in good shape over the winter.

If you're playing the guitar Patty treat it like you would a bicycle... TLC keeps everything in good shape uno? Oil the neck etc etc

I think the best thing for you to do is keep plucking away and have fun thats what a guitar like that commands of you

I personally change strings when im giggging and playing alot (which is rare atm) every 2 weeks, right now I havent changed the strings on my main guitar for 6 month and there still fine to play on.

As for humidifiers I've never used one and tbh I dont know anybody who has whom I could ask... I think spider is 100% correct if youre comfortable then youre guitar will be.

Stevie...I totally agree and this has to be some of the funniest but best advise to give someone.  I particularly like #3, that got a belly laugh out of me.....

              Can't see thru the tears because Stevie Boy....          has offered such sound advice.....       #3........     .....  "Joe, I love you dearly....          ...but go play your own"        What a classic line, I will never forget your response 

I really appreciate all of you guys advice.  My "Joe" does come out of the case everyday to be played and does return to the case for rest....I wouldn't ever leave it lying out for fear now of one of Stevie Boy's possible dilemna's..... EXCEPTION TO #3  You all know good & well that I WOULD let Joe play it BUT then I would say, "Joe I love you dearly, but go play your own!"               

                                                                                          pattyluvsjoe

"I'm not nice to any guitar!"     
                 Joe Bonamassa 05-03-12

JBLP CHILD #184

Not trying to step on anyone's toes here, but whether it's going to be stored without playing it or not( I have a feeling you'll be playing it Patty ) it's not a good idea to take the tension off the neck. Guitar necks are designed to keep tension on them once they're strung up and the truss rods are properly set. Taking the tension off for any length of time can cause problems, especially if there are temp. changes. If your guitar is tuned to 440 and you're going to ship it, store it or even keep it in a cold trunk for awhile keep it at 440 to keep the neck stable.
"If" on the other hand you decide to loosen up the strings for any length of time(days or weeks) take the tension off the neck by loosening the truss rod so it doesn't form a permanent backbow or a warp.
Good quality electric guitars can take quite a bit in the way of temp and humidity changes and may go out of tune over time if not played but it's important to keep the tension on the neck. If you're not going to play it for a number of weeks just take it out every week or so and make sure it's in tune before returning it to it's case or hanging it back on the wall.

Hi Ken. It's not so much whether it's being played or not. It's more that wood, being organic, can shift over time when exposed to everyday stress, temperatures and humidity. The tension going in one direction from the strings and the other from the truss rod keeps the neck stable and although I've seen cases of warping on a properly maintained neck it's pretty rare. Both tensions tend keep an even balance along the neck. I'm sure everyone who plays and has kept their guitars either hung up or in the case has gone to pick up their properly tuned guitar days or weeks later and found it out of tune. That's just shifting because of the wood itself reacting to surrounding temp and humidity changes, and even strings, being metal will expand and contract slightly adding to the mix but the tension still remains relatively stable.
I've heard all kinds of theory's as to why a neck warps but I think it's just the inherant grain patterns settling in the wood, whether in the fretboard or back. Necks that I've seen "heat pressed" tend to rewarp over time about 50% of the time and personally I think shaving is a better treatment for warping, assuming the warp isn't too prominent. I've never seen a shaved neck rewarp.
When I was first learning yeeaarrs ago I worked in a shop along side a luthier who also built violins and that's another whole story in itself but he explained his theories about inherant wood properties in guitar necks and although I can't say I believed everything I heard at the time he's been proven right time and time again.
Today I'm an electro-mechanical tech(electronically based equip. with lots of moving parts) which is why I fix amps and anything else I can get my hands on but I still love working on guitars and still build and repair electrics in my spare time.
Sorry about the long rambling post but I still tend to get carried away when talking about guitars. I'll shutup now.

I usually say if YOURE comfortable, then your guitar is comfortable. For me that goes along with temperature and humidity.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
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