Took my guitar for a pro setup

[MDV]

Sounds like it needs a fret dress.

Is it buzz, as in high pitched fast and note-choking from the string vibrating against the next fret or is it rattle, as it the wide vibrations further down the neck bouncing off the frets?

The former can be fixed with a fret dress and you can reasonably expect action down to 1mm treble side, 1.5 bass, if you so desire, the latter not so much - only with tighter strings or raising the action (and probably increasing relief as well).

[morgasm]

i would say eventually take it to feline when you have some money to spend. you can be sure they will do a very good job.

[indysmith]

Sounds like it needs a fret dress.

Is it buzz, as in high pitched fast and note-choking from the string vibrating against the next fret or is it rattle, as it the wide vibrations further down the neck bouncing off the frets?

The former can be fixed with a fret dress and you can reasonably expect action down to 1mm treble side, 1.5 bass, if you so desire, the latter not so much - only with tighter strings or raising the action (and probably increasing relief as well).

It's definitely fret buzz rather than rattling. Does anyone know any good learning resources to do with a fret dress? I'd love to just learn how to do this stuff myself rather than being ripped off.
I've just added an 8th turn more relief in the truss rod, and I'm basically back to where i started now, except now it's a week later and I'm £40 down... I really can't afford this bollucks.

[MDV]

Yeah, fret dress.

If youre lucky.

It may be that the necks in at the wrong angle (so after 12 or so fret theyre still the same height off the board, but are getting closer to the strings). I've seen that cause these symptoms before.

[indysmith]

Yeah, fret dress.

If youre lucky.

It may be that the necks in at the wrong angle (so after 12 or so fret theyre still the same height off the board, but are getting closer to the strings). I've seen that cause these symptoms before.

Is there a way to check if it's at the wrong angle? I hope it's not!

One thing I haven't mentioned is that the buzz only occurs on the low strings and it buzzes for about a second if i strum a powerchord on the low E anywhere up the neck. The high strings are great.
I suppose this could mean the neck is twisted too, lol.

One of my lecturers is a massive guitar nerd - I'm gonna take it in and see what he reckons today.

[d1dsj]

I know the guy in question and I've never had any reason to doubt his guitar skills but I guess everyione can have a bad day? As you say, you are £40 down and not happy, I'm confident that he will try to make it right for you with no more money exchanging hands.... I would think any professional tech worth his salt will have a limited warranty on their work? I'm sure he builds guitars too... so he should be able to tell you if there is a fundamental problem with that guitar.

[MDV]

Yeah, you measure it :)

Get a steel ruler, with half mil markings and measure the distance from the fret to strings from 12th up. If the action lowers as you go up the frets (it should stay much the same, or *increase*(doh!) slightly) the neck is angled back too much. You may have to guess a bit between the half mil markers. Human vision has a resolution a bit better than 1/10th of a mil though, so you should be fine :)

And get something with a hard straight edge, preferably metallic, so it'll make a nice clear clacking sound, about 3 inches long and go up the frets, resting it on a few at a time, shifting it by one at a time and rocking it back and forth. If there are high frets, when they're in the centre of the improv-fret-rocker, the fret rocker will rock (and make a noise if its metal).

If youre really unlucky it could be both frets and neck angle, but with the actions you've stated the frets would have to be visibly very worn, and to different degrees, for it to be just that. On reflection, from what you've said, I cant possibly know for sure, I suspect the neck, so have a look at it, and I'll be delighted to be proved wrong! (its a pain if it is, for you and whatever poor tech you take it to).

[d1dsj]

Also, I meant to ask how well is the nut cut?

[MDV]

Also, I meant to ask how well is the nut cut?

That wouldnt affect buzz when notes are fretted.

[d1dsj]

 :? good point! Dohhhh

[indysmith]

I'll be delighted to be proved wrong!

Good! :lol: From the measurements I've taken the frets seem to be perfectly level (no rocking detected anywhere up the neck), and it also seems to be set at the perfect angle (from the 12th to the 22nd fret the action only raised 0.5mm!)
Hmmm, this is a puzzler!

[MDV]

0.5mm is no good, no good at all :(

I had an epi LP (a zakk wylde one) in the other week where the neck was set in wrong and 22nd fret was 0.5mm higher than 12th (or closer to the strings, rather), and you couldnt get the action at 12th lower than about 2.5 - 3mm without fretted notes all over the board buzzing and choking. All frets were level wrt the board.

I levelled the frets above 12 relative to the strings rather than the board, so they were consectively shorter, untill the 0.5mm offset was corrected, crowned and strung up - I then set the action to about 1.2mm treble 1.75 bass and gave it only the very slightest relief, and all notes all over the board were clean and buzzless.

You've found your problem.

[indysmith]

0.5mm is no good, no good at all :(

I had an epi LP (a zakk wylde one) in the other week where the neck was set in wrong and 22nd fret was 0.5mm higher than 12th (or closer to the strings, rather), and you couldnt get the action at 12th lower than about 2.5 - 3mm without fretted notes all over the board buzzing and choking. All frets were level wrt the board.

I levelled the frets above 12 relative to the strings rather than the board, so they were consectively shorter, untill the 0.5mm offset was corrected, crowned and strung up - I then set the action to about 1.2mm treble 1.75 bass and gave it only the very slightest relief, and all notes all over the board were clean and buzzless.

You've found your problem.

No no no you've misunderstood! The 22nd fret is 0.5mm LOWER than the 12th

[MDV]

Oh, right, my bad.

Yeah, I dunno now, I'd have to see it. At least its not that - its a bitch to fix.

[indysmith]

Here's a clip, lol.

I've got the buzz down loads since I got it back from the shop, but it's still there on nearly every chord involving the E string.