Soundgear Sorrows

Sathington W. · #1 02-26-2009, 09:10 PM

So, for Christmas of yester-year, I received a Soundgear 6 string that I absolutely love http://www.guitarcenter.com/Ibanez-S...14-i1395030.gc

Unfortunately, this beauty has a quite a bit of a buzz problem up towards the 14th fret, particularly on the C string. I spent a night with my instructor adjusting the truss and bridge, and still wasn't able to cure the buzz. It is absolutely buzzless above and below the 14th fret, but it still sounds like a swarm of bees in the key of D. We decided that either the 14th fret is a little low, or the 15th fret is a little high. He said getting it fixed would cost in the $150 range. Is this a fair price?
Also, he said GC might accept it as a trade in, seeing as its in pristine condition past the factory defects. Would you recommend fixing it or trading it in?

Thanks!

bluewine · #2 02-26-2009, 09:15 PM

Take a tiny peice of toilet tissue and stick it under the string by the nut.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sathington W.

So, for Christmas of yester-year, I received a Soundgear 6 string that I absolutely love http://www.guitarcenter.com/Ibanez-S...14-i1395030.gc

Unfortunately, this beauty has a quite a bit of a buzz problem up towards the 14th fret, particularly on the C string. I spent a night with my instructor adjusting the truss and bridge, and still wasn't able to cure the buzz. It is absolutely buzzless above and below the 14th fret, but it still sounds like a swarm of bees in the key of D. We decided that either the 14th fret is a little low, or the 15th fret is a little high. He said getting it fixed would cost in the $150 range. Is this a fair price?
Also, he said GC might accept it as a trade in, seeing as its in pristine condition past the factory defects. Would you recommend fixing it or trading it in?

Thanks!

Fred19137 · #3 02-26-2009, 09:20 PM

I would have advised to adjust the truss rod but it seems like that isnt the problem, so iw ould say try to get a new one or spend the money, it depends on how much it is worth to you

Mad Russian · #4 02-26-2009, 09:22 PM

Get a metal edge ruler and lay it across the frets. If it is as bad as you say, the ruler should pivot on one of the frets. But it really just sounds like a minor set-up issue to me.

Is your instructor a luthier as well? Or just trying to be helpful?

Beej · #5 02-26-2009, 10:00 PM

This is an unfortunate problem with many soundgear Ibanezes. When I received mine last fall, it need a complete fret leveling, dressing, truss rod adjustment and full setup before it played like butter. A proper job should cost somewhere between 60 and 120 bucks depending on where you live and its totally worth it...

Sathington W. · #6 02-27-2009, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Russian

Get a metal edge ruler and lay it across the frets. If it is as bad as you say, the ruler should pivot on one of the frets. But it really just sounds like a minor set-up issue to me.

Is your instructor a luthier as well? Or just trying to be helpful?

He's not a luthier, but he's been playing for about 30 years and knows his sh*t. He actually did this same trick with an ipod, and it pivots slightly.

**Rodent** · #7 02-27-2009, 09:09 AM

a great topic for set-up and repair ... but this thread really has nothing to do with building an instrument so I'm not sure why it's posted in the Luthier's Corner

all the best,

R

**Basschair** · #8 02-27-2009, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodent

a great topic for set-up and repair ... but this thread really has nothing to do with building an instrument so I'm not sure why it's posted in the Luthier's Corner

all the best,

R

Agreed: moving it on over to Setup and Repair.

Best regards,
Paul

Turnaround · #9 02-27-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sathington W.

He said getting it fixed would cost in the $150 range. Is this a fair price?

Seems a bit much to me if it's a single fret that's the issue. A full setup in my shop for a 6-string is $95 and it would include dressing of 2 or three frets if necessary.

danomite64 · #10 02-27-2009, 01:46 PM

Is the bass still under warranty?

Sathington W. · #11 02-27-2009, 02:29 PM

It should still be under warranty.
And sorry about the misplacement!

JustDavid · #12 02-27-2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sathington W.

sorry about the misplacement!

Don't worry about it, & don't take that comment to heart.

Given folk frequently take instruments to Luthiers for Setup/Repair, mis-postings happen.

Sathington W. · #13 02-27-2009, 10:36 PM

So, I brought it into GC today, and the "fixed it". They handed it back to me and I played a little with it, and it sounded admittedly better on the C string.. but then I got home and played with it without 500 background noises (drums, mixers, mindless strumming, smoke on the water... etc etc) and now the G and B strings have much more noticeable fret buzz.

Any recommendations?