Guitar secrets: Fixing twisted Stratocaster neck

[@reymondgopog426]

This is by far the most clear how twisted neck looks like.

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Thanks

[@cugir321]

The iron thing works....I used a 6th "E" string nailed to the floor to twist it on one side.. works with the heat...you could lose the fret markers....I lost them on the last one I did. Probably should have pulled them first. You can pull the frets and re-radius the fingerboard with a radius block if it's not too bad.

[@shawngrenaud]

Here's how I did it. I found a thin metal yardstick/ruler and filed notches to let it sit sideways on the fingerboard without touching the frets. Then I measured the gaps between the ruler and neck; first along the treble side and then the bass side. My bass side had a wider gap from the 4th fret to the 15th approximately. An easier way is to put a capo on the 1st fret and hold down the bass E string with a finger. Then measure the string distance from the 7th or 8th fret. D the same with the small E string and compare. Mine again had a smaller gap on the treble side. For heat, I used a Sunbeam Flexfit heating wrap for arm and leg injuries.

[@BruceBurger]

Thanks for the video! I had a hard time seeing what a twisted neck looked like and your video clearly shows the twist. 😅

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Bruce Nguyen awesome! Glad I could help!

[@dhruvpendharkar488]

I have a squier bullet strat and am having a buzz in the e , a and d . I've tried truss rod adjustment and saddle action setup but the buzz stays. In case there is a twist , what may the procedure be to detect it besides eyeballing. Also , is fret buzz normal in an unplugged guitar or there should be none whatsoever. I have not put any shims below the joint. When fretted at the 7th fret on a the string the string bangs against the 12th fret and in the d string , buzzing starts after 12. There also seems to be a little buzz in the saddle(at least sounds like its coming from there but I may be wrong).Theres no guitar expert in my town so your word on this would be greatly appreciated.

[@googlegilbertlevinmars322]

Similar situation bowed neck squier tele, last low end strings not bass , dead on first fret. 12th Fret Big Dipper.

[@gunslinger80sguitars]

4yrs later how did it hold up? Did the wood stay or go back to its natural spot twisted?

[@REZNAP]

I’m curious too

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Before I got rid of it , it was still fine. Kept it in standard tuning . No issues.

[@0000song0000]

8:04 looks a bit twisted too

[@HeadbangersLocal]

.

[@GlennMarshallRocks]

How hot did you set the iron to....? Just warm...? Cotton...? Do you remember...? You said it took about an hour...? Any risk going longer...? would the wood fibers find their original position again with the help of some heat, or would the additional pressure from the E string make it start twisting the other way...? I've got a Strat neck with an ebony fretboard I waited too long to mount, and in the couple of years that it was sitting, it developed a back bow... I've loosened up the truss rod, and set a hex dumbbell on it, which after a week now, seems to be coming along... at least it's level now... but still has a ways to go... I'm considering applying some heat to it, at least towards the end of the process, as I believe part of the process is to allow the wood fibers to "remember" their original position, and I believe the heat will help with that... so, I'm trying to understand just how much heat might do the trick... and luckily came across your video...

[@HeadbangersLocal]

I’m not a luthier Or an expert about. I turned the iron up to Max heat and then I just kept checking the straightness to see how good it was unfortunately when I got this guitar it was already twisted so I don’t know what the original position was. However this process did work and I was able to play it without any fret buzz. Sorry I can’t be of more help with the entire process

[@GabrielSkolderblad]

Your risking the fret glue to melt so the frets may need a checkup after this.

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Everything seemed to work out after it was done . Good advice though 👍🏻 thanks for watching 🤘🏻

[@hearthshinemusic2941]

so, I came to this video because I bought a squier strat and I thought it had a twist on the neck turns out it was just the lighting

[@GrlzzIy]

Hi, I have a bass with the same problem and just need some advice/clarification. So I should clamp the neck down, anchor a string and wire it sideways to the peg, then heat up the neck for 10 mins? In the video you said you were twisting it for a good hour.. was that just while it was cooling off? Really appreciate the help.

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Adam Riga yea. The whole process was like an hour . I think I heated for about 10-15 minutes, then just left the iron sitting on top to cool down and also left the string tight. Best of luck. 👍🏻

[@marvini2320]

People who relic guitars deserve a long prison sentence of at least 17 years including hard labor.

[@nickp1548]

If I could like that comment a thousand times I would. The fact is, people who relic guitars have no life, and are attempting to compensate for that with a lie.

[@somethingfromnothing8428]

If i wanted a relic’d guitar i’d rather buy an old second hand guitar that has picked it all up naturally than paying for someone to do it to a brand new guitar

[@Thoracius]

Same for companies that sell new jeans with wear spots and holes in the knees.

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Why is it such a big deal? I don’t understand why people care about this. Why does it bother you so much?

[@marvini2320]

Because is fake and disrespectful to a perfectly good instrument

[@ShutterSymphonies]

Good job bro! Do you need to adjust the rod before heating or did you just leave it as is?

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Just left it as is 👍🏻

[@ranman58635]

How long did it hold?

[@HeadbangersLocal]

It held up until I gave it away . Not sure how it is now .

[@dhruvpendharkar488]

did you leave the fret wires on?

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Yes

[@dhruvpendharkar488]

Thanks for replying man. That was quick

[@JimDanDeeBand]

how long did you leave the iron on?

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Jim Dan Dee like 10 minutes or so.

[@poppunkloser]

This is so sick! I got a cheap Strat that i want to modify but the neck si Twisted so i'm gonna solve it using this vid as inspiration. Can i ask, how much time you left the iron on? Thanks a lot for sharing my man

[@HeadbangersLocal]

I don’t really remember how long. It’s kind of touch and go. Leave it on for a few minutes and check often. 👍🏻

[@0000song0000]

@@HeadbangersLocal but how do you make sure is "back on place" without un clamping it?

[@HeadbangersLocal]

@@0000song0000 not sure I understand the question

[@davidkiholm4368]

I watched this for no reason. You don't even show the process. I don't buy your result because I see no actual proof. Take it down before someone else wastes their time. Go watch the video on "Freddy's Frets" it shows the actual process and is worth watching.

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Just because “you don’t buy it “ doesn’t mean it didn’t happen

[@dhruvpendharkar488]

Hope the effects are not momentary

[@HeadbangersLocal]

This was over two years ago and it is still holding up! Thanks for watching.

[@musikus7092]

Man, come to the point!

[@HeadbangersLocal]

That's the beauty of You Tube. The fast forward feature.

[@sighfactor]

Are you that dude from Cheech and Chong?

[@HeadbangersLocal]

🤣

[@Wargasm644]

You can buy whole Squier guitars on Craigslist for 50$?! Did I miss something?

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Not everyone has $50. Sometimes fixing things yourself is more fun.

[@Wargasm644]

@@HeadbangersLocal I’m not wealthy by any stretch. But I’m pretty sure just about anyone can shit 50$ with relative ease. As far as the “fun factor”, ok, I can buy that to some degree. Especially if the item has sentimental or personal value. I’ve sank a couple hundred dollars on an old Ibanez. Simply because it was my sons first guitar. Even though he has Gibson’s and ESP’s at his disposal now. Just seems like straightening out a neck on a Squier wouldn’t be that much fun. Replacing it would be more fun for me personally. It would be an actual upgrade and you can find Squier necks on eBay for 30-50$. Actual Fender necks can be had at a bargain price too with a little effort. But yeah, some people are just wired to fix anything. Regardless of value. Nothing wrong with that. Do what you do. 👊🏻

[@0000song0000]

@@Wargasm644 but the knowledge is worth WAY MORE than 30 bucks... Now he can venture on doing it to more expensive necks and even changing for it!😃

[@Wargasm644]

@@0000song0000 I guess? But even if I had the ability to fix a warped neck, I would still buy a new guitar (or neck) if mine were warped or jacked up. Chances are, it will warp again. Just too much effort for what might be a 50/50 shot. But that’s just me. Like I said. Everyone is different. Whatever makes you happy!

[@filthyrichandflameingknigh1256]

im haveing the same problem with 2 of my guitars necks soo you really got it super straight? are you happy with it? bec im thinking about doing it whats you did to my guitar. soo did it ever bent back in a bad way? like re twisted back after you fixed it?

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Filthy Rich And Flameing Knight actually it worked great! Haven’t had any issues since. Thanks for watching

[@filthyrichandflameingknigh1256]

i think its from leaveing it in drop D i do that sometimes

[@HeadbangersLocal]

That’s certainly possible. However, I don’t use drop d tuning so I know that wasn’t the case for mine.