Fretbuzz on my Melody Maker...help?

[post.aux.fader]

Alright, I just unpacked my Melody Maker from MF.com (after my first one got kicked and broken ) and its got a ton of fret buzz. The thing still has the original factory Gibson strings, and no matterhow much I fiddle with the Tune-O-Matic bridge, I can't get the buzz to go away. Is it the jumbo frets, or just my complete n00b-itry that is making my gibson so unenjoyable?


Thanks for your input.

 

[snipeguy]

Tune it up to concert and sight down the neck. Is it straight or does it have a little "relief". You might need a truss rod tweak.

 

[Rickson Gracie]

either send it back or go to a local guitar shop and get it profesionally set up.

 

[rpe]

I you don't have experience with setup adjustments take it to a music shop with a guitar tech.

 

[Vullkunnraven]

I agree... take it to a shop

The buzzing of the frets is due to your inntonation being off. To test this try the following; (you might already know this)...
Tune one of your strings, let's say the Low E and plug your guitar into a tuner (perferably a chromatic tuner). Now check each fret and each note to see if it registers flat or sharp (i.e. does the third fret show an in-tune 'g'). Also, check the 12th fret on the octave - does it hold 'E' just like when you hit it open? If most your notes are sharp or flat your intonation is off and needs to be adjusted. Also, how low is the action on the bridge (as in when your guitar is in tune do the strings feel really loose or tight? Is it way too easy to bend?) Usually with lower action the strings will at some point hit the frets (especially if you use heavy gauged strings, but the stock gibsons will never be more than 9s-10s)
But I agree...take it to your local ax-mechanic
I take my guitars to a tech before any major show or before every recording session. If you use it a good fair amount, I say it's good to do it every 3 months or so... shouldn't cost more then $35. And a good tech will ask you what kinda music you play/ sound you are going for and make suggestions. He/she will also clean your axe like it's brand new and keep all your switches, truss rod, bridge saddles, fret board, all in tack... your guitar will thank you and you will thank the music man...

 

[AGCurry]

The buzzing of the frets is due to your inntonation being off. .

This is wrong. Fret buzzing is due to one thing: A fret which is too high farther down the fretboard. On used guitars, this can be caused by fret wear. On new guitars, truss rod and bridge adjustment can usually take care of it, although I have seen cases where fret filing was necessary.

Most new guitars need to be set up before they are optimally playable. Adjusting the intonation is ONE of the elements of a setup. The first order of business is eliminating the buzz.

 

[post.aux.fader]

Thanks guys! I'm gunna bring it down to the shop to have it all fixed up nice and pretty....

 

[Bianchi Joe]

useful link

this guy has more information on buzzes than any site I've ever seen. Thorough and well-presented information that would be useful to any guitarist.


http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Luthier/Technique/Setup/BuzzDiagnosis/buzzintro.html