A guitar neck should typically be very close to perfectly flat, but with a little bit of relief (slightly concave).
Getting the neck relief right is a crucial part of a proper guitar setup. It refers to the slight forward or backward bow in the neck. While a perfectly straight neck might seem ideal, a small amount of bow is usually necessary for optimal playability and preventing fret buzz.
Understanding Guitar Neck Relief
Neck relief describes the natural curve or bow of the guitar neck. This bow can occur in two main directions:
- Concave Relief: When the neck bows backwards, away from the strings.
- Convex Relief: When the neck humps upwards, towards the strings.
These terms are defined by the direction of the bow relative to the path the strings take over the fretboard.
The Typical Guitar Neck Setup
As referenced, the standard or typical setup for a guitar neck aims for a specific condition:
- The neck is adjusted to be very close to perfectly flat.
- However, it includes a little bit of relief, specifically a slightly concave bow.
This slight concave shape provides just enough clearance for the strings to vibrate freely without hitting the frets higher up the neck when played, especially when strummed or played forcefully. Too little relief (too flat or even convex) can cause fret buzz, while too much concave relief can make the action too high and affect intonation.
Here's a simple breakdown based on the types mentioned:
| Relief Type | Direction of Bow | Description (from reference) | Typical Setup? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concave | Bows away from the strings | When the neck bows backwards | Yes (Slight) |
| Convex | Humps towards the strings | When the neck humps upwards | No |
Achieving this "very close to perfectly flat, but with a little bit of relief (slightly concave)" state is done using the guitar's truss rod, an adjustable metal rod running inside the neck. Adjusting the truss rod allows you to fine-tune the amount of relief to suit your playing style, string gauge, and the guitar's specific characteristics.
