Hello everyone,

I have just got my first fender, blacktop stratocaster, maple wood, black color. I am enjoying it very much as it handles rock type really well with these pickups (at least to my beginner ears).

I just have one question. If I play with without an amp, or if the amp isn't loud enough, I could hear some of the strings vibrating against a lower fret bar. Like... for example if I moderately pick the A string on 6th fret, it will vibrate and buzz cause it's hitting some 'bars' from the 7-22 fret? These factory strings are I think 0.09 or extra light? Is this normal because the strings are thin? Or should I bring it back and have them adjust the height of the strings?

Thanks for your time guys!

Just do the set up yourself. You may not like my preference, but I keep the saddles tight against the back of the bridge and at maximum height.

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1984 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster
1986 Peavey Envoy 110
1967 Kingston Acoustic

Almost every Strat will buzz a little when it's not plugged in. It's completely normal. What is not normal is if you can hear that fret buzz when the guitar is played they way it was meant to be played, ie: plugged into an amplifier. If you don't hear the buzz when plugged into the amp then there's very likely nothing to be concerned about unless there is something else bothering you as well.

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Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.

A bit of string buzz while playing unplugged is nothing to get alarmed about and is perfectly normal.If the buzzing persists when the guitar is amplified you may need to adjust the truss rod,raise the bridge saddles,or dress a couple of frets.

Whereas you're new at the guitar I wouldn't suggest that you adjust the truss rod of file the frets(bring it to a certified technician for that)but raising the bridge saddles is relatively simple.Just loosen the buzzing string until there is little or no tension and then take the hex key that came with your guitar and turn it clockwise a turn or two at a time on each side of the saddle..Then tune your string back up to pitch.Repeat this process until the buzz disappears.

If you find that you had to raise the string a noticeably greater height than the other strings.You need to take it to the dealer or a tech.If your guitar is still under warranty,that should take care of it.BTW there are plenty of books available and net sites that show you in simplified step by step terms,how to do your own set ups and basic maintenance.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Thanks for the quick replies guys, they were very helpful!

I noticed something else when I was checking out the heights of the strings that was a bit more worry some. The fret bars around 19, 20 are rusted...(I tried to post a picture but don't know how so I'll descibe it). The whole bar is not rusted, just a slab along the bar here and there, then lots of dots of rust popping down in the 21, 22 fret bars...


Now I bought this guitar in Hong Kong at the biggest musical shop and well trusted and certified fender guitar shop (Tom Lee). And it came out of a box, brand new. Is this normal or is there something that fender (or the dealer) can do about it?

Thanks again guys

That's not normal

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1984 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster
1986 Peavey Envoy 110
1967 Kingston Acoustic

9's are the the string gauge customarily installed on current production guitars
unless the guitar represents a period in time when 10's were the standard issue
or perhaps its an Artist series guitar where the string gauge is specified.

With respects to your other concerns, having the dealer look at it would not be out of the question.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Hi guys, so I bought it back to the dealer and here is what they said...

For the rust part, they said it is normal because the weather in Hong Kong is very humid and it's going to happy. They told me to go to a silverware store to get a silvercloth to rub it if I don't like the look.....

For the low buzzing strings, the tech looks at it and said it was a bit lower indeed, he then adjusted it a little, I didn't try it cause was in a rush. When I got home, there is very little difference, low E and A string still buzzes. I don't want to be annoying and bring it back again so I guess I'll try to fix it myself.

So I just take the hex key, and increase the height of the 2 screws on the 'saddle' for the low E and A string until there is no buzz? And I don't touch the screw at the bottom of the bridge right? (that one seems to lengthen or shorten the string?)

Thanks for your time!

Not exactly...the lengthening or shortening of the string sets the intonation. The pitch of the string should be the same when picked open and at the 12th fret. It may change slightly as you raise the string. The intonation will set this.

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"Another day in paradise!"