My Rs-2 developed a buzz on the low E string. I figured it might be a combo of truss Rod and bridge height. I was willing to give the truss rod a quarter turn or so but not having experience setting up/working on guitars I opted to take it to my local guitar center. They confirmed my suspicion and recommended a set up. I was hesitant but thought it had been a while since the guitar was set up and went for it.
Anyway got a voicemail from guitar center, it's ready to go. But the tech mentioned something odd; he had to adjust the truss rod all the way for relief and still did not get enough relief and so he raised the action at the bridge. His message said it's still all within spec and plays wonderfully. I will likely pick it up tomorrow.
If it plays good and feels good then I guess I am fine with it.
Does it sound weird to you that the tech said he had to adjust the truss rod ALL The way? Is there something I don't know about larrivee truss rods or are truss rods different from neck to neck. It just sounds a bit extreme.
I had this guitar set up a few years ago and the tech never mentioned truss rod issues. Should I be concerned about the trussrod?
Sounds strange to me. Normally, no more than a quarter turn either way is required. I would never let anyone touch one of my guitars without a long list of recommendations from others whom I trust. I certainly don't trust anything to do with Guitar Center but that's just me. I hope all is well with your guitar.
I also wonder if this Guitar Center "tech" understands Larrivee's truss rod. I don't remember if this is a two-way truss rod or not (I have an RS-4 that has the same rod in it), but I agree with duck - it shouldn't require that much turning to make the required relief adjustment. You may need to find another tech, and maybe e-mail Larrivee and ask them as well.
Yeah, i'll pick it up tomorrow and hope to find out what exactly the tech means by "adjust all the way." Makes me want to see if I can find who I had set it up years ago, they did a phenomenal job, but I lost track of the contact info and the guitar shop that connected me with them closed.
Yeah it's a good idea to send an email to Larrivee, just to see if there is something unique about the truss rod.
I only took it to guitar center because my local shop does not work on guitars and I thought it was a simple truss rod adjustment. After I was at guitar center and they were recommending a setup I figured they had me. They don't do quick adjustments, it's flat rate charges and get in the que. I figured it hadn't been set up in a while so no biggie. Hopefully i pick it up and the guitar plays great like the tech says.
I think it's time to build a relationship with a good tech and get a second electric guitar. I hate being without.
How did it turn out?
UPDATE: My trusty RS-2. Man I can't believe it's been so long. This thread started before the "dark times" and those dark-times are why this issue took so long to resolve.
When I picked up my RS-2 from Guitar Center (Way back in February of 2020) the guy said he had to adjust the truss rod all the way but the guitar was just barely in speck and played fine. I did not like this. Adjusting the rod all the way sounded wrong. The guitar still buzzed.
While waiting on the RS-2 I picked up a fender player Strat to fill the void (nice guitar but its no Larrivee, and no I did not buy it from guitar center).
Basically what happened is that I cased up the RS-2 and played the Strat. A lot of this was due to covid and not wanting to go find a tech.
Fast forward to Sept 2021. I had been hearing about a local tech who was excellent, person after person recommended him. So I took in the RS-2.
I asked the tech it the truss rod was the issue: His response "Sort of... it was adjusted as far as possible but the frets really needed a level and dress. To combat the truss rod i milled a tiny bit of relief into the frets while doing the level. The nut slots were also not deep enough causing the geometry to work against you. The nut has been reworked as well It plays great now. "
I would never have imagined but perhaps as the guitar has worn in things need adjusted.
Now she is ready for pick up, we will see how she plays. To me it sounds like things are on the right track.
Final update: got the guitar back and it is wonderful. The action is perfect. Buzz is gone. I hadn't realized how out of wack the guitar had gotten. Once it touched my hand it felt like getting an old friend back.
The truss rod is still just about maxed out. Tech said that this just seems to be where the neck wants to be. He said moving from 10s to 11s would help. As it is it's perfect.
I am happy and seems like I found a good tech.
Wish more of the old line of Larrivee we're still available they are some special electric guitars.
congratulation!
I also recently bought a new electric guitar from the local guitar center. The guitar was perfect and I really liked it until I saw the guitar was a little damaged on the side. I went back to them and asked if I can return it because it has been only 10 days andGuitar center return policy (https://returnpolicyexplained.com/guitar-center-return-policy)says we can return it within 15 days of purchase. I followed all their policies still they refused to take it back. They didn't even exchange it. I'm really disappointed. I don't know what to do next?