Guitar setup gone wrong?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Clit Torres
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Clit Torres

Clit Torres

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Just got my guitar back today from the shop where I usually get my axe setups done and I'm not happy. Maybe it's my fault, but I didn't give it to my usual go to guy cause he no longer works there, and I didn't get into any specifics with the guy I did end up going with. Anyways, I brought it in cause the intonation was off, I was getting a slight fret buzz, and I was uping the guage from 10's to 11's (since I'm getting ready to track some heavier stuff). The good news is, the intonation problem was corrected, but now the action is way to high, and I'm getting fret buzz everywhere. :mad: I'm assuming it just needs a simple spring adjustment. :confused: Anyone?

What exactly is entailed in a basic setup? I must admit I'm pretty ignorant in these matters, cause aside from changing strings and de-burring saddles I generally bring my guitars to the shop for everything else.
 
does the trem look like its bent downwards a bit? if so you probably need to tighten the springs in the back of the guitar.

if the trem is nice and flat but your action is still high, then your bridge is just sitting too high and you probably need to lower it some.

if you are still getting frett buzz with high action the truss rod might need adjustment. or sometimes new strings just sound buzzy i've found.
 
-=¤willhaven¤=- said:
does the trem look like its bent downwards a bit? if so you probably need to tighten the springs in the back of the guitar.

if the trem is nice and flat but your action is still high, then your bridge is just sitting too high and you probably need to lower it some.

if you are still getting frett buzz with high action the truss rod might need adjustment. or sometimes new strings just sound buzzy i've found.

Thanks for your response. My trem is flush so I guess the bridge needs to come down some. As for the fret buzz, it's definately not a symptom of the new strings, but I know what you mean. I'm a little wary of doing truss rod adjustments myself, which is why I bring it into the shop, and I thought this was part of what I payed for. :mad:

BTW, there seems to be an interesting new development, my treble pickup is now distorting and cutting in and out! :eek: WTF!
 
Before you touch the truss rod put a finger on the first fret on the 6th (E) string and another on the 12th fret.
Midway you should have a slight gap on the middle fret of about 1/64 to 1/32, although this can vary from preference.
The reason is that strings oscillate when played and that gives clearance. The same thing also applies if you shift the finger from the 12th. fret to the last fret and make sure you still have a gap. Some people say it should be the same but it won't and can't as the fretboard slopes off at about 10o from the 12th. on. But there should be something similar.
If there is no gap you need to adjust your truss rod. To increase the gap you loosen it, the same as if you are unscrewing a bolt.
The truss rod works by being in a channel that is slightly curved. When you tighten it the rod attempts to pull itself straight and puts pressure on the high point of the groove and forces it away and straightens the neck at the same time.
When you do any adjustment only slacken it off/or tighten 1/4 of a turn at a time as it will settle over a couple of hours and it's easy to over do.
Try that and post your results.
Clive
 
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