Fret Buzz at frets 1-3

[theothersemioldfart]

My new schecter (this summer) has the truss rod maxed out but the neck sights pretty straight. Its buzzing at 1-3 though and measures 0.013" at the first fret. So the nut is a bit low. I'm not sure if that's too low for a shredder though. i could actually get the action a bit lower at the bridge but it frets out. I'm not sure if I should look at shimming the nut or looking at fret heights though.

Is that 0.013" just crazy low or is that not an unreasonable number for a guitar thats suppsed to be a shredder? Erlewine says shoot for 0.018" nut height... My gut reaction hearing that from Dan is its probably a bit generous but he gives a variety of action heights and reliefs for different styles and guitars but only a single number for nut height

 

[4strings]

My new schecter (this summer) has the truss rod maxed out but the neck sights pretty straight. Its buzzing at 1-3 though and measures 0.013" at the first fret. So the nut is a bit low. I'm not sure if that's too low for a shredder though. i could actually get the action a bit lower at the bridge but it frets out. I'm not sure if I should look at shimming the nut or looking at fret heights though.

Is that 0.013" just crazy low or is that not an unreasonable number for a guitar thats suppsed to be a shredder? Erlewine says shoot for 0.018" nut height... My gut reaction hearing that from Dan is its probably a bit generous but he gives a variety of action heights and reliefs for different styles and guitars but only a single number for nut height

I'd start by measuring the relief and string height at the 12th fret so you know for sure what the current setup is. You might have a little hump near the nut, or maybe just need to tweak neck relief/saddle height.

 

[2thAche]

You have a fret rocker? May just be one high fret (#4)

 

[ponchonlefty]

is filing frets an option?

 

[armyadarkness]

is filing frets an option?

Yes.

Ten years ago, I was constantly fucking with necks, saddles, frets, pups... but fortunately, once I settled down on the right bass for me, it all came to an end. I beat the Hell out of my primary bass, and it takes it all like a pro.

Cripes, I dont even ever have to tune it... and it's stored in a non climate controlled garage... so it's 110 degrees in the summer and 25 degrees in the winter.

I dont like filing frets, but a lot of people do it regularly.

 

[armyadarkness]

My new schecter (this summer) has the truss rod maxed out but the neck sights pretty straight. Its buzzing at 1-3 though and measures 0.013" at the first fret. So the nut is a bit low. I'm not sure if that's too low for a shredder though. i could actually get the action a bit lower at the bridge but it frets out. I'm not sure if I should look at shimming the nut or looking at fret heights though.

Is that 0.013" just crazy low or is that not an unreasonable number for a guitar thats suppsed to be a shredder? Erlewine says shoot for 0.018" nut height... My gut reaction hearing that from Dan is its probably a bit generous but he gives a variety of action heights and reliefs for different styles and guitars but only a single number for nut height

I work in CAD and measuring is my life... AFAIC, 5 thousands of an inch is fairly undetectable.

Hard to say what you should do... I used to get caught up in "SPECS", but anymore, I just do what I want to. My action is typically higher than most people would ever care for.

I'm more concerned with why the truss is maxed? Im (and we're) a huge Schecter fan. I sold a beautiful new guit frm them, recently.

 

[4strings]

A proper fret leveling and crowning is one of the first steps to getting your bass neck dialed in, if checking with fret rockers reveals any high frets.

 

[Jim C]

For a quick reference, a sheet of copy paper is usually about .003" thick and a matchbook cover is .035".

 

[armyadarkness]

A proper fret leveling and crowning is one of the first steps to getting your bass neck dialed in, if checking with fret rockers reveals any high frets.

But a Schecter shredder would have MUCH lower action than a bass, no?

 

[armyadarkness]

Wait, is "Shredder" a talk text type O, or are you referring to a guitar?

 

[Andyman]

you could also take a small strip of paper, place under the string, in the nut slot. it will tell you if the nut needs addressing.

 

[ponchonlefty]

lots of good suggestions on here. are you going for speed or easier playing? do you dive bomb? many things to consider.

 

[theothersemioldfart]

it's a guitar. Sun Valley Super Shredder. I don't dive bomb, but it is supposed to be my "shredder" guitar, and I'm aiming for pretty low action. The outlier anong Teles and strats with moderate action and slightly heavier strings

 

[4strings]

But a Schecter shredder would have MUCH lower action than a bass, no?

Level frets are especially important when going for low action. High action will hide a lot of issues.

 

[theothersemioldfart]

I should say I don't dive bomb except when I'm screwing around at home because the guitar has a locking trem.

But dive bombing isn't really part of the repoirtoire in public.

 

[2thAche]

I just fixed a similar buzz on a guitar by leveling a fret. It only buzzed on the first few frets, then none above that. With a rocker, it was obvious that one fret was high.

You can also take it to a tech/ luthier who can check the frets with a rocker and probably fix it fast and cheaply if you don't want to fuck with your guitar. Gotta be really careful with that.

 

[Andyman]

I just fixed a similar buzz on a guitar by leveling a fret. It only buzzed on the first few frets, then none above that. With a rocker, it was obvious that one fret was high.

You can also take it to a tech/ luthier who can check the frets with a rocker and probably fix it fast and cheaply if you don't want to fuck with your guitar. Gotta be really careful with that.

And, welcome to the thunderdome, 2thAche.

 

[ponchonlefty]

 

[4strings]

I have a 1980 Musicman Sabre bass that was a massive pain in the ass to get a good setup on until I leveled the frets. It had a couple that were just a tiny bit high. After that? BUTTAH

 

[Andyman]

rubbing alcohol will remove the buttah for you.