Open string fret buzz solution?

Sirstyles · #1 07-07-2011, 10:45 AM

Well I just recently got my SRHH 5 back from Ernie Ball with a brand new neck replacement, and I'm getting quite alot of open string fret buzz (coming through amplified) A,D,G are the biggest culprits, and some normal buzz coming through fretted notes, on the lower end.

Now obviously the guitar made it's way to me from San Luis Obispo, and I live in Missouri, so maybe there was a slight bowing given the change in climate, but given that it had an official factory set up from Ernie ball, with a brand new neck, and this is basically only a about 16 days or so from leaving the factory, I wonder what I should do?

I'm not a real big set up guy, but is this a truss rod issue, or a saddle issue? Does it need some relief, I'm at a loss at this point, I just paid 700 dollars the whole way, the last thing I want to do is go pay again for a proper set up here in town.

Thanks in advance.

allexcosta · #2 07-07-2011, 11:17 AM

How's neck relief?

An "official factory set up from Ernie ball" doesn't prevent the neck from moving...
Wood will behave like wood, as they say...

If relief is good the nut must need some kind of adjustment or replacement...

JTE · #3 07-07-2011, 01:08 PM

Let it settle into the temperature and humidity there in MO for another week or so. Then check the relief to see what you have. For the way you play, you quite possibly need more relief than the factory specs (which are only guidelines)- I don't know EB/MM's but the original Music Man spec was 1/32" to 1/16" between the E string and the 7th fret when the string was fretted at the first fret and last fret. I don't recall FMIC's any more, but I know that Fender's factory specs were always too much relief and too high a nut for what I consider good action.

Most likely culprit is the nut was cut too low, though that's really uncommon. Most factory nuts (no matter the maker) are cut too high.

John

john grey · #4 07-07-2011, 04:53 PM

Frankly I agree that you should wait some time longer as the moisture in the air and temp may affect the setup.

However, realistically, if you bought a thousand dollar plus instrument and it doesn't preform well after a short period, if it were mine, I would send that thing back! In no way would I do any work on the thing that would compromise any factory warrantee. A slight twist on the truss-rod, some work with the bridge is as far as I would ever extend on a new expensive instrument.
Unfortunately I have seen some wonderful items reduced to near junk by people seeking what they had already paid for. I once got a great deal on a EBMM because it's previous owner did indeed (temporarily) ruin it.

Floyd Eye · #5 07-07-2011, 05:36 PM

Take it to Skip Goez in Maplewood ( I think he's on Sutton between Big Bend and McCausland) and have him call the Ernie Ball people. I wouldn't send it back to Cali for a set-up, but maybe Skip can get them to reimburse you if there is something wrong. If it's just slightly out do to humidity/climate, it should only be a minor adjustment.

Sirstyles · #6 07-07-2011, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

Take it to Skip Goez in Maplewood ( I think he's on Sutton between Big Bend and McCausland) and have him call the Ernie Ball people. I wouldn't send it back to Cali for a set-up, but maybe Skip can get them to reimburse you if there is something wrong. If it's just slightly out do to humidity/climate, it should only be a minor adjustment.

Eh, skip (well John that is) is the reason I had to send it to EB for a neck replacement anyway. They found the twist the original neck had.

I might just try to put some relief in the neck, the board is completely flat as it is right now.