please help:dead frets

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freshead16
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please help:dead frets

Unread post by freshead16 » Thu Oct 30, 2003 1:15 pm

hey kids, i have a problem and i was wondering if anyone knew the reasoning behind my 3 dead frets and constant buzzing of the low E string when played open. I didnt have this problem before and i recently just got my action on my guitar lowered so i was thinking that was the reason. the fret is 13 and the strings are A,D, and G. For example how would i fix this? is it fixable? , and what the reason for the buzzing on the low E when played open. If u any ideas at all please let me know. thanks a lot guys.
peace

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grock
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Unread post by grock » Thu Oct 30, 2003 1:23 pm

sounds like you answered your own question. the action is just too low.

sight down the neck and make sure it is reasonably straight and if anything bends forward toward the front of the guitar. if that's in order then i can safely say that i think the action got set too low. bring it back and make the guitar tech fix it right.

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thejoe
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Unread post by thejoe » Thu Oct 30, 2003 7:22 pm

neck is defenitly out of whack

take it to the shop
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Unread post by taylordb » Thu Oct 30, 2003 7:58 pm

This is going to be hard to explain but I'll give it a shot.

If the saddle is shaved too thin, the low e string may have a hard time making full contact with it therefore causing a buzz. The low e string, being bulky, can't make a sharp turn coming out of the bridge and up towards the neck...so it comes out in a more of an ark shape which makes the string a little higher at the saddle than the others.

I've had this problem before, and it was particularly noticable just after I changed strings....the way I solved it was to take a flat screwdriver and press down on the low e string between the saddle and the hole where the string goes into the bridge...this effectively bends the string at that "arc point" and allows the string to fully contact the saddle.


Whew!! that was tough. Hope you can make sense of it.

My advice is to take the guitar to a DIFFERENT person than the one that lowered the action, because that person should have checked out the guitar to make sure everything worked properly after the action was lowered. Setting up a guitar is a lot more than just shaving the saddle. The neck needs to be properly adjusted as well.

I may be wrong, but I bet its not the fretwire that is your problem.

freshead16
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Unread post by freshead16 » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:31 am

wow, thanks man. ya that makes sense.do u think i should try that myself? or have the guitar guy do it? does the same go for the dead frets too? thansk a lot guys.
peace

taylordb
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Unread post by taylordb » Fri Oct 31, 2003 4:10 am

:? Don't take this the wrong way, but when every post tells you to take it to a shop...why would you ask us if we think you should try it yourself?

Take it to a shop....a different shop. They will evaluate whats wrong. It does not cost that much to have your neck adjusted and action set (in your case you might have to replace the saddle so it may mean slightly more $$ but still should be reasonable). I'm guessing $30 to $60...but thats just a guess. It could be more if it turns out to be something more serious.

They can pop a few new frets in there as well, pretty easily, but I don't think the frets are the problem...how old is your guitar?

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Unread post by borocks » Fri Oct 31, 2003 4:20 am

I got the same prob with my stratocaster, I just gave it to a guitar freak in a shop and it'll be fine...
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freshead16
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Unread post by freshead16 » Fri Oct 31, 2003 10:56 am

ahahha crap. u said to take a screw driver nad push down on the spot between the whatever and the whatever so i asked if i shoud do that part myself to see if it would help at all. of course im gonna take it in.

taylordb
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Unread post by taylordb » Fri Oct 31, 2003 3:46 pm

I told you not to take it the wrong way :D

I hope you get if fixed OK...it sucks to have buzzing strings.

freshead16
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Unread post by freshead16 » Fri Oct 31, 2003 5:01 pm

no dude i didnt. your sweet as heck for helping me. i just thought id clear things up so u knew what i meant. thanks a lot man. :D

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