I have a 2006 American Standard Stratocaster that has terrible fret buzz. I had previously raised the saddle heights to a pretty high setting but the fret buzz continued. It effects the wound strings (low E, A and D) on almost all frets from open to 5th fret plus a few at higher positions. I just got the guitar back from a qualified luthier who did a fret crown and polish and adjusted the saddle heights. Still I'm stuck with the buzzing. I've heard that some buzzing is normal in Strats but this is excessive. I paid over a $1000 for this guitar so it's not a cheapy but I'm very dissatisfied with the quality. Any recommendations?

I just took the guitar to a luthier who builds custom guitars that cost over $2,500 a pop, he did fret work so I'm reasonably certain that he did a setup. Until this guitar is playing without buzz the thread name stays. Quality is not up to par.

Reasonably certain? I'm reasonably certain that he did not, or did not do it the way that you like. It sounds to me like you need a little more bow in the neck. A simple 1/8 to 1/4 turn CCW looking at the headstock just might fix you up, more if necessary. Your luthier might have set the action to his liking, but it's not right for your playing style.

Kind of lame to claim POS when you don't even know what the problem is.

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---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

If you paid this "luthier" to get rid of the fret buzz and he clearly didn't, your complaint is with him, not the guitar. Demand he fix it properly or give you your money back. You'll get more sympathy and help from people in this forum if you do what clearly should be done than coming here and ragging on the guiatar.

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Bill

First thing you have to do, instead of whining. Is look for what is causing the problem.

Neck relief would be my guess, especially before a fret level. So I plain don't believe you about this luthier. There is a big difference between a lute maker and a tinkerer.
Any links to his website? After all, he must be after customers.

What are you doing buying a guitar that isn't right?

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No no and no

You should really let us know the name of this guy, so we can all be sure never to buy one of his instruments. Certainly go get your money back, or voice a rather stern complaint to him, rather than Fender.

Seriously though, finishing off a couple of high frets (occasionally to be expected on mass produced guitars regardless of brand) and tweaking the relief a little is utterly basic stuff, and is part of owning an instrument made of wood! Unless the neck is warped beyond belief, anyone with even half decent setup skills can get it playing like butter.

Low fret buzzing will be too little relief in the neck, that's for sure. Two minutes with an Allen key, job done. You might find the upper fret buzzing goes away as well.

I believe your luthier might be the POS, not the guitar. Misdirected frustration.

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Mike Keller
http://www.theseguyslive.com
http://www.facebook.com/mikeller

Bingo!

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Bill

i have a $3500.00 PRS that did that and i sent it in and the problem was a tiiiiny burr on the bridge--works perfect now ---it was not a POS --it just needed a little tweeking

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2011 PRS 25th SAS
2008 Eric Clapton Custom Antigua Strat
2012 PRS Artist Package Studio Special Order

Agree with previous posters!

For starters, 2006 American Fenders are FAR from PsOS. YOU should have checked out the guitar in front of this "qualified luthier" (whatever that means) before YOU accepted it back, paid for whatever service(s) he supposedly did to it and YOU ultimately walking out his door with it. Your statement, "...I'm reasonably certain that he did a setup" says it all. On a side note, just because someone charges $2.5K for "custom guitars" one builds, in and of itself means nothing.

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You dig?

Here's a link to his website:

deangatewoodguitars.com

The guy who did the repairs on the guitar is out of town for the easter holiday and he'll be taking a look at it when he comes back. But since I would like to enjoy a smooth playing guitar now (imagine that) that's why I consulted this forum. I should have known that calling your beloved Fender a POS would get plenty of panties bunched up. I took the advice of posters that actually provided some tips on how to fix the problem instead of blindly defended the Fender name. By turning the truss rod counter clockwise I was able to take some of the fret buzz away. I put the guitar back in it's case for a while and when I came back about 30 minutes later the fret buzz was back. Also now the little piece of wood that surrounds the truss rod adjustment nut (if that's what it is even called) has moved up and is now protruding out of the top of the neck. When I turn the nut now the piece of wood keeps sliding further out of its original place. I tried to push it back in with no luck. Is there anything else I could try now or should I just wait for him to take a look?

So what you're saying is that the truss adjustment nut is actually loosened so much it's pushing the billet out of the neck?

This I gotta see!

If this guitar is so bad, why did you buy it?

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No no and no

I dont think I was loosening the neck, I was trying to increase the bow to the neck to relieve the fret buzz. So I think the other guys is right that I over tightened, I loosened it up now but the piece of wood still protrudes. I bought the guitar because I've always loved Fender Strats that's why!

First of all, no one that responded to you has their "panties in a bunch". That statement applies solely to you.

Secondly, no one "blindly defended the Fender name". It is recognized that there could be a problem with the neck. However, the fact that your so-called luthier failed to correct an issue that you paid him to correct is the real problem. And now you appear to have damaged the neck of the guitar.

I suggest you quit while you are ahead and take it to someone who knows what they are doing.

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Bill