One day you’re looking at your guitar from a different angle, and you realize the neck is bent. Are guitar necks supposed to be bowed, or should you be worried? The good news is that a slight curve is not only a good thing; it can be a benefit. Depending on how you play, an upward curve could be a real help. On the other hand, if your guitar’s neck is bending backward or the curve is severe, you have a problem. The idea of straightening a guitar neck might concern you, but it happens all the time. I’ve been playing long enough to know all about bowed necks. I’ll share what I’ve learned and help you figure out how much is too much. If your guitar neck needs a fix, it’s better to do it right away. Whether it’s a normal curve or a nasty issue, I’ll help you figure it out and explain what you need to know about guitar necks.
Are guitar necks supposed to be bowed? Guitar necks are supposed to be bowed. A little bit of upward relief or curve is a good thing. However, when it bends too far or curves down, you have a problem. Some guitars have straight necks, so this is not a problem, but it’s usually not a benefit.
Why Is My Guitar Neck Bowed
Many guitar necks are supposed to be slightly bowed, but most develop this as a problem over time. Regrettably, the strings on your guitar can create a warping effect. Tension attached at the pegs and held down on the body slowly pull the neck.
This happens so slowly that you won’t see it until it is too late. However, if you live somewhere especially warm and humid, then neck warping is more likely and more rapid than in a dry climate. Arid environments take their toll as well, but it comes in the form of dried, stiff wood that is more likely to crack instead.
Luckily, you can mitigate the effects of string tension on your guitar neck. Setting up a good guitar workstation is the first step. When you learn to maintain your own guitar, you will have the skills and knowledge base to build on for more complex repairs like neck straightening.
Additionally, you can always loosen your strings between practices. Not only will this help you become a champion guitar tuner, but it cuts a lot of the pressure out. Between this and proper storage, you won’t have bent-neck problems as often, regardless of the climate where you live.
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How Much Should A Guitar Neck Bow
A guitar neck isn’t supposed to be bowed noticeably. If it looks like your guitar is trying to look at its own strings, then you have a bent neck. Alternately, a ‘relief’ style bend is very slight and fairly common. In this case, it is a minimal, intentional curve often put in place by the manufacturer.
Some musicians prefer relief-style bends in the neck of their instruments. Additionally, some types of guitars are designed to play better that way. Still, too much relief, and it will make your fret hand work harder for the notes.
This is bad because it will cause excess fatigue. You won’t be able to play as long, or it will cause aches and pains in your hand.
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To Set Relief On Your Guitar
You can visually check to see if your guitar neck is straight by sighting down the neck while your strings are off. However, setting it flat on a good neck rest will also allow you to check with a level. Once you’ve determined there is no preexisting bow in the neck, look up your guitar style to make sure you can set it for relief.
Remember that relief lives up to its name and can make playing much easier. That said, you don’t want to overdo it. A minimal bend is all you need. Exceeding the recommended limits can damage the neck or make playing harder on you.
To create relief, tighten your truss rod by turning it counterclockwise. You can reduce the relief by turning the truss rod clockwise. Either way, you want about point five millimeters of relief under the bass strings and point three millimeters under the treble strings. Creating more than this is hard on your hands.
Can A Bowed Guitar Neck Be Fixed
When your guitar neck is bowed further than it’s supposed to, you can fix it. If you are very new to guitar playing, I recommend taking it to a professional. However, it is also a good idea to get familiar with the process so you can self-repair.
Sadly, when your guitar neck gets extremely warped, you may need a new truss rod. At worst, you will need a whole new neck. Checking your instrument frequently and performing maintenance on it yourself can help prevent this from becoming an issue.
The truss rod moves closer and further from the guitar body as it changes the tension on the neck of your guitar. If you are checking your neck regularly to prevent warping, then you’ll catch it quickly, and you can adjust your truss rood by loosening or tightening accordingly.
Additionally, you may need to adjust your truss rod if you go up in the string gauge. Wider strings create more tension and pressure. Most professional musicians rarely adjust the truss due to a warped neck, but it can help when you catch the problem early enough.
When you’re ready to fix your bowed neck, a Kuha Professional Guitar Work Mat and Neck Rest from Amazon will help. The soft cork of the neck rest helps prevent any scratching or damage as you work. Plus, you get a microfiber cloth to clean your instrument gently. To have yours shipped to your door, click here.
Bow Neck Guitar Repair Cost
If the neck of your guitar is warped or twisted, going to a professional may be your best bet. Especially when it’s unintentional, and your guitar is not supposed to have a bowed neck. If a minor adjustment to the truss rod doesn’t fix the issue, it’s better not to play around with your primary instrument.
For those seeking to learn guitar repair at home, I suggest buying an inexpensive guitar just for this purpose. You can warp the neck, learn to fix parts, and even work on things like painting and inlays without concern. However, if your only guitar has an extremely bent neck, see a pro.
A basic truss rod adjustment at a music shop is much more cost-effective than a damaged neck. Typically this runs around twenty dollars at a music shop, and it’s a good idea to take any new guitar in for this service. Usually, they are fine as-shipped, but it’s worth a few bucks to make certain.
Depending on where you live, a professional may charge eight hundred dollars or more for neck repairs. Obviously, if you have a really cheap guitar, it may be easier to replace the instrument. However, that will leave you with a spare you can use to learn repairs on, so it’s not a total loss.
Most amateurs can self-diagnose and repair a small curve using the truss rod. Anything visually apparent is a serious concern. When you can see your guitars’ neck curve just by looking at the side, this is probably more than a truss rod adjustment will fix.
For those who would rather learn to DIY repairs, adding a Dunlop NC65 Formula 65 Neck Cradle Maintenance Station to your workshop is a smart move. This beautiful and durable stand was designed by master guitar builder and inlay artist Ron Thorn. Unlike stationary neck cradles, this model self rotates to give the perfect support for any instrument. Check it out on Amazon by clicking here.
Final Thoughts
No musician wants to think about their instrument being damaged. Worse still, what if it breaks? Fortunately, now you know how much guitar necks are supposed to be curved. At least you can get it straightened out before the problem gets worse.
A good neck rest and proper maintenance will help save wear and tear on your guitar. It’s hard to spot a slow bend that causes neck curvature. However, when you check everything over regularly, you’re a lot more likely to catch it.
Take good care of your guitar, and it will be there when you need it. Guitars are among the few things you can own that maintain or appreciate value over time because musicians and collectors treat them well and value them highly.