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Post subject: New Am. Deluxe fret buzz - expectations too high?
Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2013 7:19 pm
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Hi, I'm new, and I just bought a 2011 American Deluxe Strat from Guitar Center. :D

The guitar looks gorgeous, but it has a really annoying amount of fret buzz. I did my best to set it up to exactly Fender's default specs (truss rod adjusted to .010" string gap... 4/64" string height @ 17th fret). At this height, the string buzz is VERY noticeable even through an amp. (Mostly around the 3-5 fret on the low E and A strings.)

I've tried raising the action, but even with the height at 8/64", there is still a little buzz - and 8/64" feels way too high to me.

Is this normal for a Stratocaster? It seems like at Fender's recommended specs, I shouldn't have this problem... is this a realistic expectation? Not sure if I'm being too nitpicky. I could probably play at 8/64" and live with a little bit of buzz... but for a $1700 guitar I expected more. :(

I'm considering returning the guitar and taking a gamble on buying one online, but I'm not sure it would be any better. What do the experts think? Is it normal to have to use significantly higher than standard string height?

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Post subject: Re: New Am. Deluxe fret buzz - expectations too high?
Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2013 7:37 pm
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I'd take it in and have them do a set up for you, you are going to want a certain amount of customization in the set based on you playing style anyway.

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Post subject: Re: New Am. Deluxe fret buzz - expectations too high?
Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2013 8:19 pm
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Does the fret buzz sound audible through your amplifier?
Or is it something you hear while playing it unplugged?

If it comes through the amp then I agree you have an issue.
Otherwise it's quite normal.
A properly set up Strat can often buzz but not through the amp.

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Post subject: Re: New Am. Deluxe fret buzz - expectations too high?
Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2013 11:18 pm
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j.4knee - I'm going to take it in next weekend and see what they can do. I'm afraid they are just going to raise the action very high, and say, "See? Buzz is fixed!" :) The issue is, I'd like to be able to play it with the "normal" low action... (i.e. Fender spec)

BMW-KTM - At 4/64", yes, it's very audible through the amp. At 8/64", not so much.


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Post subject: Re: New Am. Deluxe fret buzz - expectations too high?
Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 12:05 am
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If it is buzzing in that area , it sounds like the nut has either worn or is cut too low

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Post subject: Re: New Am. Deluxe fret buzz - expectations too high?
Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 2:32 am
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You probably don't do set up up like Fender show. Or you play too hard .
And Fender do not say all .....

Just to say one thing ;

Truss rod ; work better to mee at 0.012 not 0.010
1- Reading with feeler gauge , not ruler or eyes
a) You must take some reading there is more curve on the neck ; usualy 8 , 9 th (?) frets
Best with precision straight edge ; string can bend with feeler gauge

2- Capo on first fret et press string last fret
3- Adjust truss rod , wait 2 hours or more and check

a) if ok wait 24 hours and check truss rod if OK job is done
b) if not ok do as 3

If set up is done and you have buzz , check fret level ; luthier tools needed.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Measu ... ocker.html

Do you adjust you truss nut this way ? I guess not
All my Fender have this kind of set up and no one buzz


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Post subject: Re: New Am. Deluxe fret buzz - expectations too high?
Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 10:24 am
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Sounds like the microtilt thing has been incorrectly adjusted.

If the buzz were higher up, I'd lower the pickups

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Post subject: Re: New Am. Deluxe fret buzz - expectations too high?
Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 10:37 am
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nikininja wrote:
Sounds like the microtilt thing has been incorrectly adjusted.

If the buzz were higher up, I'd lower the pickups


Easy to see that when properly doing tune up .


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Post subject: Re: New Am. Deluxe fret buzz - expectations too high?
Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 2:18 pm
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DefiantBurrito wrote:
j.4knee - I'm going to take it in next weekend and see what they can do. I'm afraid they are just going to raise the action very high, and say, "See? Buzz is fixed!" :) The issue is, I'd like to be able to play it with the "normal" low action... (i.e. Fender spec)

BMW-KTM - At 4/64", yes, it's very audible through the amp. At 8/64", not so much.


You can tell them where you want your action set, you still have to approve the results before you pay.

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2016 Gibson SG Standard T
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2013 Fender Dlx Players Stratocaster
2013 Fender FSR American Standard Stratocaster
2013 Gibson Les Paul Trad Pro II
2012 Ibanez AR 325
Super-Sonic 112
GDEC 3 Thirty
Champion 600


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Post subject: Re: New Am. Deluxe fret buzz - expectations too high?
Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 5:04 pm
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The truss rod needs slackening a touch, going off the area where the buzzing occurs.


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