I bought a MIM strat 2 weeks ago at GC. After adding 2 more springs and snugging the bridge down, It stays in tune pretty good. However, the High E string seems to buzz some what. It's not hitting the fret.
Trying to tune it with the 12th fret harmonic is almost impossible. It kind of sounds like when you forget to take your pick out of the strings, but not quite as bad. I have put new strings on and it did not help. I have 30 days to return it. I like everything else about it and I have the 2 year warrenty. Could I have the bridge too tight to the deck?
General Coulter

Lower the pickups, you probably need to raise the action too. You can't see if the string is hitting the frets when it's vibrating.

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No no and no

Pay someone to set it up if you cant.... Guitars usually are poo from the factory... And 99% of MIM's the shop wont spend the time to get it right for you. Try taking it back to get them to set it up free....Ya never know ya luck....

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try to raise your string up the neck. just "loosen" the screw from the bridge of that individual string

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oh my fake!

Could be a setup issue, like string height or insufficient neck relief. No big deal if it is. But, it sounds more like a nut problem. This, again is not really a big deal, but you should have an experienced hand working on the nut ! Play it for another week, break it in and see if it clears up any. If not, take it to the shop and have it set up and tweaked.

sounds like it could be a nut problem to me too. Simple test for ya. hold the string down on the fifth fret. If the string is touching the 1st fret...there's a decent chance the nut is cut low. Other then that...the cut may not be angled correctly or may be too tight.

At any rate....yeh...dont mess with the nut....leave it to a service center. Bringing it to an authorized Service Center isnt ever a bad idea anyway.

Hope it all works out!

Best regards,
rob

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rob Schwarz
Director,Fender Customer Service
Proudly serving Fender Customers
for over 30 years

Decking the bridge will lower the action. You may have to raise the saddles a bit to compensate.

Hi General, All of the above possible. Process of elimination.

Nut action too low. Pluck the string w/your finger on the 1st fret. If the buzzing doesn't stop, move on.

Truss rod too tight. In a good light, stand the guitar on the floor. Holding the headstock, look down the side of the neck w/the front of the guitar facing away from you. If the center of the neck appears bellied towards the strings, the truss rod is too tight. You should see an ever so slight bow away from the strings. IMO, least likely.

Pickups too high. These ceramic Pups have a strong magnetic pull. If they're too close to the string, they can actually pull the string down lowering the action. Try lowering the pups a bit. If there's still buzzing, move on.

Bridge action too low. Esp. if you were adjusting the floating bridge height, adding trem springs etc., it may have disturbed the action at the bridge.

All of the above, w/the exception of the nut action, are easy enough to learn to measure & adjust yourself. It'll save you a lot of hassle in the long run. My apologies if I left anything out. cheers