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Post subject: Set up on 72 reissue fender telecaster deluxe=horrible
Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 7:36 pm
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I purhcased a 72 reissue fender telecaster deluxe recently because I needed a back up guitar for my Paul Reed Smith Custom 24. It was affordable, had great reviews, and seemed very versitle. My problem is that I recently noticed how poorly this instrument is set up when I was just messing around with it unplugged. The D string seems to buzz slightly when played open, the G string seems hollow/dead, and the B string also seems to have a slight buzz when played open. The low E, A, and high E all seem to have a wonderful ressonence to them but the middle strings seem to be very poor in sound. The action is not low at all and the bridge adjustments are fairly high as it is. I would like to lower the action to suit my style better but am concerned this will only make matters worse.


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Post subject: Re: Set up on 72 reissue fender telecaster deluxe=horrible
Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 9:54 pm
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You just recently noticed? How was the set up when you bought it?

It sounds like it just needs a basic set up. If you can't set it up yourself, check for a good luthier in your area.


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Post subject: Re: Set up on 72 reissue fender telecaster deluxe=horrible
Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 9:59 pm
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Doth wrote:
You just recently noticed? How was the set up when you bought it?

It sounds like it just needs a basic set up. If you can't set it up yourself, check for a good luthier in your area.

I played the demo on the wall and purchased a new one in the box. I know of a good luthier in the area but he takes at least 4 weeks to get the guitar back. I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction that might have had a similar issue but I may have to go that route again. I will say the guitar plays great plugged in with distortion but I know it could sound so much better dialed in perfectly.


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Post subject: Re: Set up on 72 reissue fender telecaster deluxe=horrible
Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 11:12 pm
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Even nice guitars need to be setup when new. Some need more love than others but there will always be some amount of attention needed. These things are made mostly of wood, which settles and is affected by temperature, etc.
Fortunately, most setup stuff can be done by anyone with a few tools, a decent eye and a bit of patience and time. Fender even gives some pretty good instructions on how to setup their guitars. So, you can probably save yourself some money in the long run. Check out the following link and get to know your guitar a little better.

http://www.fender.com/en-CA/support/articles/telecaster-setup-guide


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Post subject: Re: Set up on 72 reissue fender telecaster deluxe=horrible
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 8:13 am
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I would try lowering the pickups slightly.

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Post subject: Re: Set up on 72 reissue fender telecaster deluxe=horrible
Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 10:26 pm
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Idk I'm tempted to exchange this guitar tomorrow morning for another one of the same model. I've messed with both the truss rod and saddle heights. I believe the nut at the headstock that holds the strings may need to be replaced (or just have the slots widened). Also, based on my inital set up I don't see it being possible to lower the action much further than what it comes set up with from the factory without getting fret buzz. Part of me thinks it's just a lemon but part of me thinks I would have to deal with the same issues by exchanging it. Am I crazy?!


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Post subject: Re: Set up on 72 reissue fender telecaster deluxe=horrible
Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 11:30 pm
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I definitely know the feeling of buying a new guitar and having the setup be crappy. I have bought several new guitars of different brands and all have needed attention, some more than others. I suspect trading it in will get you guitar that needs a similar amount of work done. Some stuff is fairly easy to do yourself but filing nut slots can be a bit daunting and if you need fret leveling or filing, you really need to let a good luthier do it. If the nut is not cut right, you will never get the action right.

If I were you, I would take the guitar to a reputable luthier and ask them to check it out and tell you what it needs. Then you will know if it's better to trade it in or just buck up and get it set up well.


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Post subject: Re: Set up on 72 reissue fender telecaster deluxe=horrible
Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 11:53 pm
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ItsForrest wrote:
I definitely know the feeling of buying a new guitar and having the setup be crappy. I have bought several new guitars of different brands and all have needed attention, some more than others. I suspect trading it in will get you guitar that needs a similar amount of work done. Some stuff is fairly easy to do yourself but filing nut slots can be a bit daunting and if you need fret leveling or filing, you really need to let a good luthier do it. If the nut is not cut right, you will never get the action right.

If I were you, I would take the guitar to a reputable luthier and ask them to check it out and tell you what it needs. Then you will know if it's better to trade it in or just buck up and get it set up well.

I have a phenominal luthier I use but was hoping to avoid the minimum $125 set up cost right off the bat. He usually takes at least 4 weeks as well because with any good luthier comes with a large clientel. If I returned this thing tomorrow I would be under the 14 day instore return policy but again that may not put me in any better of a position since I've been reading alot of these guitars aren't set up the best from the factory. I'm very picky when it comes to set ups though too. Regardless of what I too I just wanna say thanks to everyone for all the advice/tips.


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Post subject: Re: Set up on 72 reissue fender telecaster deluxe=horrible
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 8:20 am
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4 Weeks to setup a guitar is a joke. :? I would find another Luthier


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Post subject: Re: Set up on 72 reissue fender telecaster deluxe=horrible
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2012 8:47 pm
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I can relate to the string buzz and high action. My st rat is close but not quite there because the setup was not done to par.I have yet to find the right luthier to really fine tune my guitar to the exact specs. The last guy to do a setup did a better job than I could do but the intonation is off and the string buzz is still there on a few frets. It's possible you have a lemon but I would try to find a good mechanic to tell you that as your tele may just need the right touch.


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Post subject: Re: Set up on 72 reissue fender telecaster deluxe=horrible
Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 5:34 am
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94sglife wrote:
4 Weeks to setup a guitar is a joke. :? I would find another Luthier


At a $125 minimum is an even bigger joke! This is proof positive that some people love to be ripped off. :lol:

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Post subject: Re: Set up on 72 reissue fender telecaster deluxe=horrible
Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 8:17 am
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A regular setup should cost about $50-$70 unless the tech is doing more advanced work such as fret leveling and recrowning.

And maybe it's just around here, but my experience is that it is customary for the retailer to do a free setup when you first purchase a guitar. I have never had a local retailer just pull a guitar out of the box and have me walk out the door with it. Almost every guitar needs some tweaking when it is new. Of course they set them up at the factory, but that's in California or Mexico or wherever. Guitars are wood instruments and changes in climate between regions will affect the setup.

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