Hi BigJay: two quick and easy tests, and then we can take it from there.

I doubt it's the pickup heights but to be sure simply lower them by a turn on all six height adjustment screws. That way you can easily put them straight back where they were without difficulties, once the test is done. Does that sort the issue? Yes/no - now you know if it's the pups.

Next. If the strings are buzzing just near the dusty end try a temporary shim to see what happens. That'll give us some information to work with.

Slacken the strings, then loosen all four neck bolts just a few turns, till a small gap opens up between the back of the neck and the floor of the neck pocket. Then insert a small shim in there at the front of the neck pocket (the end nearest the tuners). This is the opposite to the way necks more often need to be shimmed: we're trying to just tilt the neck forwards a touch to see if that gives the clearance that makes the buzz go away. For the shim a calling card perhaps folded in two or a similar thickness piece of card will be fine. This is just temporary!

Then tighten the neck bolts, retune and give it lash. Let us know what happens.

One more thing: do you have The Guitar Player Repair Guide? Best few dollars you will ever spend on your guitar, for this and so much more...

Cheers - C

It can cause some weird buzz's. It ususally manifests itself on the two E strings first. It could well be that youve raised the pole pieces too high. Sink the pickups flush with the pickguard and see if it persists.

_________________
No no and no

Before trying what Ceri suggests (very good suggestion) I would try to flatten out the neck a little more. Fender specs are more or less an average starting point and your guitar may need to be fine tuned more.
Personally I push the limits when setting up my own guitars.

_________________
Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
Authorized WD Music Products Dealer
F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

Chet, since you're around I bet BigJay could benefit from that coin thing of yours for pickup height setting. And your output v sustain advice - kinda feel that stuff has your copyright on it!

- C

Thanks Ceri!

BigJay do a search here on the Forums for my "Nickel Method" posts.

_________________
Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
Authorized WD Music Products Dealer
F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

Let's see if I can explain this and get it right. If you capo both ends of your neck to measure relief you have both ends of the neck that are close to the strings and the middle that is farther away from the strings. When you are playing your guitar as you move up the neck (towards the pups) the string gets closer to the frets, if the angle is large then you will fret out or buzz at the higher frets. By flattening out the neck that angle is less and there should not be any fretting out or buzzing. HOWEVER adjustments need to be made not only on the neck, but the bridge too. The trem angle will need to be re-adjusted/checked, as well as saddle height. AND if you make any changes to any of those you will need to re-intonate also.

BTW: The neck relief on my guitars are set as low as I can get them and still be able to make adjustments for no fret buzz.

_________________
Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
Authorized WD Music Products Dealer
F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

The last fret meaning 21st or 22nd fret (the fret closest to the pickups).

Yes, You want to make sure that the volume level is the same on the E and e strings for each individual pickup.

_________________
Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
Authorized WD Music Products Dealer
F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

"Once in a while." That was what I was implying...

It ain't a criticism: get very exhausted by players who seem to spend all their time shrieking away above the 15th fret. There's a whole neck there to be enjoyed.

The reason for the shim test is that neck bow and the relation of the whole neck (correctly adjusted for relief) to the body are two different things. Slackening the trussrod is very likely going to be the solution to your problems. But in case it isn't additional data is handy.

(Also I felt you might be amused by some further tinkering possibilities with your Strat. I sense that stuff appeals to you.)

You also need to examine all your frets one by one against a straight edge. I'd be quite surprised if you have that particular problem on a brand new neck, but it's possible.

Cheers - C

Straighten your neck dead flat, lay the guitar flat with a couple of credit cards under the body to lift it parallel to the neckplate. Measure from the worktop to the neck heel (it should be 1,1/4") then measure the worktop to the back of the headstock. They should be the same measurement. + 1/16 or 1/8 is ok, you dont want minus anything.

_________________
No no and no