Checking the neck of a guitar is a crucial step in maintaining the instrument’s playability and longevity. It involves examining the neck’s relief, straightness, and fretwork to ensure that it is properly set up and free of any issues that could hinder performance.
A properly adjusted guitar neck will have a slight amount of relief, which is a gentle curve that runs from the nut to the bridge. This relief allows the strings to vibrate freely without buzzing against the frets. The neck should also be straight, with no twists or bends that could cause the strings to bind or go out of tune. Finally, the frets should be level and evenly spaced, with no sharp edges or divots that could interfere with playing.