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Post subject: 1st fret buzz
Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 3:46 pm
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Hi there,

I've recently aquired a used Strat through a trade with a friend of mine. I'ts a MIM 60th anniversary HSS that was barely touched before I got it.

When I brought it home, I noticed some small problems with the setup. The neck needed a a shift in the pitch, the action was a little high, and there was some slight problems with the intonation. I also noticed that there was some buzzing on the first fret.

I was able to get the necks pitch straightened out, the action adjusted into spec, and the intonation corrected, but the buzz on the first fret did not go away. After doing some research, I decided to do a slight adjustment on the truss rod. This didn't fix it. The odd thing is that the 1st and 6th strings no longer buzz, but strings 2-5 still do. It's not as bad as when I first got it, but it's still there. What is causing this?


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Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 3:49 pm
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Welcome to the Forum.

Sounds like the string height for those strings may be a little to low. It could also be that the nut is cut to low.

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Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 3:56 pm
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I've got the string height at 4/64 at the 17th fret with a capo on the first. I've also thought about getting the nut changed in hopes that it could be the problem, though have been kinda reluctant on it due to the fact that it's a relatively new guitar that's barely been touched before I got it. My other thought is maybe the frets.


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Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 4:04 pm
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The measurements listed for Strat setups is a guide, a starting point. Every guitar is different and those measurements may not be exact for you guitar. Try raising the string height and see what happens.
It could be a fret problem, sometimes they do work themselves loose. You should be able to look and see if that is the problem.
It could also be neck relief, a slight back bow in the neck could cause first fret issues.

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Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 4:18 pm
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I've adjusted the relief a little in attempts to fix it. It's still very possible that this is the problem because I've had to adjust by sight cause I don't have the gauge to properly set relief correctly yet.

I've also ruled out string height because it was at 7-8/64ths when I first got it and the buzzing was worse.

Guess I'm gonna need a relief gauge now and that doesn't fix it then I'm gonna need to take it to the shop. Thanx for the feedback though:)


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Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 4:25 pm
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Put a capo at the 1st and 12th frets. Use a piece of paper and slide it between the frets and strings at the 5th and 7th frets. That should give you a starting point. If the paper does not go in between then you have back bow.

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Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 4:44 pm
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The paper went through, but was a little tight, maybe more truss rod adjustment is needed. I'll try it and see what happens.


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Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 4:50 pm
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If it was tight you have slight back bow. That could be the problem.

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Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 6:08 pm
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Based on your stating that the guitar is essentially untouched, I doubt very strongly the nut is the culprit. Rather, it sounds like the guitar simply needs a good setup. You most likely have combination of a reverse warp (arch) in the neck and the bridge has to be thoroughly (re)adjusted.

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Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 6:43 pm
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OK, I've adjusted the neck to the point that the truss rod won't turn anymore. It helped a little bit. There's not as much buzzing and the weird thing is that the buzzing on the 2nd string went away. The only ones buzzing now are strings 3-5. Could the neck be warped? I'm thinking I'll do a complete setup again, with a restring, and if it still persists I'll go ahead and replace the nut.


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