Just purchased my first Stratocaster, 2006 MIM. The prior owner bought it new, was a new guitar player and rarely played it. It hung on the wall for many years.

With that said, I decided to tackle set up myself using the specs from Fender's site. I purchased a feeler guage (.25 mm) and a 64th ruler. I adjusted the trussrod to get the string slightly over .25 mm with string compressed at first fret and fret where neck meets body. Action set slightly above spec. I'm still getting fret buzz in the middle of the neck. I would like to lower my action to spec but don't want the buzz. To get rid of the buzz, I have to set my action way to high.

Have I done something wrong? Other than paying a Nashville guitar shop $50 (the going rate) for a set up, what can I do? Any help is appreciated.

Hi cgclark10,

Likely that .25 mm (.01") is too close for the neck relief for this particular guitar, try a little more relief by loosening the truss rod a little, no more than 1/4 turn, and then allow some time for settling before adjusting further. I think that .02" is quite good if you can get it. Sometimes I can only get .04" before getting fret buzz, depending on how well the frets are leveled and fret board radius.

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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.

Does the neck look flat or does it have a slight curve?

Does the string height at the bridge seem ok?

Is the buzz bad at only one or two frets (maybe a fret not level?)?

Does the buzz sound through an amp?

I would take it to a tech.

Maybe you strum too hard? I know it sounds funny but I had to adjust my strumming attack on Strats as I got more buzz than other guitars at first. That was even with my guitar being setup perfectly. Now, that I have adjusted my playing, never have fret buzz. Also, a touch of fret buzz is a characteristic of steel strings hitting metal frets.

$50 may be the "big city" rate for a set up (I think I paid $30.00 last time). Either way, while I am comfortable doing most adjustments myself, I still think spending a few dollars to have my guitar play like an absolute dream is a good deal.

Thanks to all for their help. If you happen to see where I reposted the question, it was only because I did not think my question was posted and found it only after reposting.

I do notice curve in the neck. Sounds like it may need to go to a tech and try to negotiate the price down.

I had a similar problem with my American Fat Strat (American Deluxe HSS now, I think?) I found I had to put shims in the back of the neck to raise it up a touch as I only got this problem when I fretted at the 12 or higher. Seems to have fixed the problem and after setting up the harmonics again, it play real nice.