It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 11:00 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 4 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Problems with Tele Baja adjustment
Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2017 12:05 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Jun 06, 2017 9:25 am
Posts: 3
(first of all sorry for ma bad english, I´ll try to give my best)

Problems started by switched from 0.1 to 0.9 strings on my half year old Tele baja.

After string switching there was a lot of buzzing between 3th - 9th fret.

"Time to adjust the truss rod" ... I thought.

´Cause the adjustment-nut on tele baja is hidden under the pick guard between neck and pickup, I removed the pick guard and - after unbend the strings - I removed the Pickup to get access to the screwdriver.
I put a long metal ruler over all frets and used a feeler gauge on 10th fret to control the "fret-string distance".
With a screwdriver I changed the bow.

(after the action I forgot 1. the old (original) position of the nut and 2., while measuring and adjusting the strings are unbend)

After (apparently) successful measurement I moved all together again and wondered, that the the "fret-string distance" was to much.

Before do more nonsense, I ordered a "Truss Rod Crank for Tele" (http://www.tdpri.com/attachments/truss_ ... pg.263074/). With this tool it was possible, to adjust the truss rod by correct tuned strings and without removing the pickup:

Capo on 1th fret, finger on last fret (high E string). So I measured the "fret-string distance".
My Tele has a 9.5" Radius, so according to fenders spec chart the relief for Neck Radius (9.5" to 12") is .010" (0.25 mm). See https://support.fender.com/hc/en-us/articles/214343803

I adjusted the truss rod for an exactly "fret-string distance" to 0.25mm on high E. If I controlled the "fret-string distance" on all strings by 8th fret, I measured deviations:

E 0.37 (approx. 0.015")
A 0.35
D 0.33
G 0.30
B 0.26
E 0.25 (approx. 0.01")

Despite this deviotions I adjusted the saddles. The "fret-string distance" on the high E (without capo) I adjusted on the 12th fret by 1.5 mm (approx. 0.06").

If I tried to play this high E string, the string was buzzing on every fret.

It is still buzzing, although I adjust on the 12th (high E) a "fret-string distance" by saddles fret on 4 mm (approx. 0.16").


So my questions:

Are such deviations normal?

Where was/is my mistake?


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Problems with Tele Baja adjustment
Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2017 6:17 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4240
truecolor wrote:
So my questions:
Are such deviations normal?
Where was/is my mistake?

The mistake was trying to set up a new (well, not quite, but almost) guitar without the sufficient skills and without a friend who could guide you through the process. :wink:

Changing the string gauge down from a .010" set to a .009 set means that the total string tension diminishes about 15-20%. That means you need to set up the guitar for the new set - and a heel adjusted truss rod takes some experience to get right. Plus, the guitar may not have been in the optimal settings to begin with.
In the "initial setup for a new guitar", in addition to making the relief/string height/intonation adjustments, a pro will do a lot more; check if the frets are level, the nut slots OK etc.

My recommendation is to take the guitar to a pro once - maintaining a good setup is a lot easier than creating one from scratch, and you have time to learn the tricks of the trade before that setup "wears out".

Some comments:
The "sixth string" used to help when adjusting relief is the low-E.
The relief recommendations in the setup guide are just recommendations, your playing style may require different curve - or none at all.
If your action on the high-E is 1,5mm on the 12th fret, it's higher on the 17th, and the latter is the Fender measuring method. Again, depending on your playing style, you may need higher action - hard hitting players often do.
And don't panic, Teles are easy to learn.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Problems with Tele Baja adjustment
Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2017 7:24 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Jun 06, 2017 9:25 am
Posts: 3
Today I visited a friend, who is well-versed with electric guitars and settings.

When I showed him the rattling he smiled and said, that the strings do not rattle at the frets. These rattling come from the area "bridge, saddle and springs". This is normal by tele with the 3-saddle bridge. When playing with an amplifier the rattle is no longer heard.

He corrected the neck curvature and the strings. Without amplifiers my tele still rattled, but with the amplifier, the strings sounded clean.

He explained to me that although the parts of a guitar are machined, every guitar is unique.
@jmattis ... you´re right: The dimensions of Fender are only a recommendation and serve as an orientation.

He also increased the distance between the string and the neck pickup so that the strings are not affected by magnetism. This will make the strings sound longer. This also changes the sound.

All in all, one has to discover (as you have described it) its own settings.

Then we jammed a little. I with his Mashall JVM410H and he with his VOX AC30 1965.
We switched the amplifiers and there was no rattling to hear.

He gave me a few small adjustment tips (for beginner).

Next week i will test my guitar with my Marshall DSL40.
Please presses the thumbs for a good guitar-sound.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Problems with Tele Baja adjustment
Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2017 12:30 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4240
Oh how I love happy endings...
Play on, play LOUD.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 4 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: