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Do you have a strong neck?

I seem to have an issue with necks not keeping flat/straight. I usually use the 1x2 neck wood and double up for the heel into the box. Woods I have readily available is red oak and poplar (which is ridiculous since I live in the furniture capitol of the US...not IKEA!). I then use a .25 inch fret board. I have a current build where nearly every fret buzzes and I have nearly worn out the hard-tail (HT) bridge with adjustments. It seems to get better as I fret down the neck near the the 12th. All frets are level. This is my 1st HT bridge thinking I could get easy adjustments from that. String height is about 2-3mm at the nut and is larger at the 12th depending on HT bridge setting. I have moved the neck a bit for back angle with not much difference.

I tried to use lighter strings, thicker necks carved from 2x2, but those aren't as comfortable.

What wood types are y'all using?

Would I have a more stable neck if I laminated different wood vertically for the neck?

I would rather not go a truss rod route, since thousands are made without one and because of the cost.

I realize I may be having a couple issues at the same time. Any suggestions?

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Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on April 23, 2021 at 10:00am

Hi, you are correct in saying that a Bowd up neck will not cause fret buzz Carl, but l do see many bowed up necks with frets that buzz. This is normally caused by uneven frets. In this case creating less relief has to be done in conjunction with other work, to overcome fret buzzing.

Taff

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Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on April 23, 2021 at 1:16pm

Doctor, I'm having trouble....my fingers keep bleeding, and my guitar plays out of tune...But my neck is very straight.
Taff

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Permalink Reply by BrianQ. on April 23, 2021 at 2:34pm

Fingers? Are they still there!!! I’m sure that was a case of sitting in the case somewhere, being forgotten?

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Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on April 23, 2021 at 2:59pm

Hi BrianQ, you should see the case it looks like it was left out in a rainstorm and forgotten.

Taff

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Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on April 24, 2021 at 5:53am

Are you starting with a truly straight and true neck before you put the frets in? It sounds obvious, but after gluing on the fretboard you need to level it and check it with a good heavy straight edge. You say that all the frets are level but how are you checking this? After you have installed the frets you need to check them with straight edge to look at the overall neck and use a fret rocker to identify if you have any high or low frets. If necessary you may need to dress all the frets to get them level and reprofile them.