Too much relief?

mikfer · January 12th, 2004, 12:32 PM

Got a brand new Squier Standard Telecaster and am atttempting to set it up.

Strings are Fender 10's, action set at 4/64 across the board.

In order to get rid of fret buzz, I have had to set the neck relief to .014, is this too much? Any less relief and the high E buzzes when fretted on the second fret, and the low E will buzz when fretted on the 10th fret and played hard.

Is the .014 of relief okay or do I need to take the guitar to a shop for setup?

Thanks in advance.

Kevin · January 12th, 2004, 01:18 PM

Odd... Neck relief really shouldn't affect anything at the second fret.

.14 is a bit high for most, though likely not unplayable. You may need a fret level to get the neck straighter.

Likewise, you may just want to taper the string height up to 5/64 on the bass side (4/64 on the treble) and see if that solves the problem.

5965 · January 12th, 2004, 05:52 PM

There's always the possibility it's still adjusting to the new temp and humidity, but the first question would be 'did it ever play right.'

If it did, there's hope. If not, i.e., if you purchased the guitar mail order, and it was wrong out of the box, I'd ask for a replacement unless there is something unique that you like about it. If you got it at a store, it'd be best to let them do their job.

The short answer is if the strings are buzzing, they're too low. It could be that if there's a problem it might not be usable at 'normal' playing height without actual work, as opposed to an adjustment.

That could either be because the nut or some of the slots on it are too low, there are some uneven frets or the neck is warped (twisted). Sighting along the neck from both ends will reveal the latter two problems.

Often, buzzing happens when people go to lighter strings because the slots were cut for fatter ones that stayed higher up, but I doubt that's the case here, although I don't know what Fender ships them with.

If you want to mess with it, I'd suggest starting by backing the pickups well away from the strings to eliminate any intereference from the magnets. Then, if there were any doubt about the visual inspection of the neck, I might straighten the neck and check the frets with a straight edge of some type (like a metal ruler) to look for high frets. Fender's site has some basic info on it about set-ups.

Sometimes, frets will pop-up slightly due to changes in temperature and humidity. If that's the case, they can usually be tapped down gently with a hammer. I would suggest not filing frets or doing anything other than simple mechanical adjustments and checks.

Because the bottom line is that for one reason or another, it may need to go back.

mikfer · January 12th, 2004, 06:04 PM

It was setup by a local pro, and played well. Then idiot me stuck in the finished basement with the wood stove, which drew out all the moisture. Fixed the humidity problem, and then stared fiddling with the guitar.

My take is to take to a shop in town for a second tuneup.

5965 · January 12th, 2004, 07:41 PM

It definitely wouldn't hurt to have someone take a look at it, just to be safe. Good luck, and I hope the problem's easily solved.

mikfer · January 13th, 2004, 07:49 PM

And I thought they said the eyes would go when I got old, not the ability to feel...

I *was* using the low E string as a straight edge, then on a whim went out and bought an 18" ruler and used that to measure the relief. Using the straight-edge, it's at .006. I am a much happier man. Now it's time to practise with the darn thing!

Bob Rogers · January 13th, 2004, 08:05 PM

I always use a straight edge to measure relief. It's just so much easier to feel the feeler guages bump against the edge. Maybe some day I'll break down and buy one of those precision edges from stew mac. Right now I use a carpenter's square.

mikfer · January 13th, 2004, 08:27 PM

Blacksburg? You a Hokie? Charlottesville/Wahoo over here.

Well, just 'cause I live in C'ville.

And thanks for the tip. I count this as a lesson learned.

Bob Rogers · January 13th, 2004, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikfer

Blacksburg? You a Hokie? Charlottesville/Wahoo over here.

Well, just 'cause I live in C'ville.

Bought and paid for Hokie. (Not paid nearly enough, says I - my department head and Dean may not agree.)

Do you know Kevin? Another C'ville TDPRIer.

mikfer · January 13th, 2004, 11:46 PM

Only through here. Saw some of his posts and sent him an e-mail introducing myself. Sound like a real nice fella.

Kevin · January 14th, 2004, 02:42 AM

I'm really quite the a**hole! :D

Who are you gonna take it to in C'ville? Rob at C'ville music won't touch the nut, though he'll adjust the bridge and neck relief.

Why not drop by there Saturday around 12:30? My daughter has her guitar lesson then, and I'll be hanging around.

mikfer · January 14th, 2004, 10:12 AM

Darn, can't get there at that time. My youngest has a basketball game at 11:00. That said, the "problem" is solved. Seems I can't use the low E string to check the relief, but when I use a ruler or carpenter's level, the relief is at .006. And with the action set at 4/64 on all four strings.

I can now stop obsessing about the instrument and just play it....or at least practise on it.

Thanks for the offer, and I'd love to hook up with you sometime.

January 12th, 2004, 12:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
mikfer Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Charlottesville, Virginia USA Age: 49 Posts: 103	Too much relief? Got a brand new Squier Standard Telecaster and am atttempting to set it up. Strings are Fender 10's, action set at 4/64 across the board. In order to get rid of fret buzz, I have had to set the neck relief to .014, is this too much? Any less relief and the high E buzzes when fretted on the second fret, and the low E will buzz when fretted on the 10th fret and played hard. Is the .014 of relief okay or do I need to take the guitar to a shop for setup? Thanks in advance.

January 12th, 2004, 01:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
Kevin Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Terre Haute, IN Posts: 2,967	Odd... Neck relief really shouldn't affect anything at the second fret. .14 is a bit high for most, though likely not unplayable. You may need a fret level to get the neck straighter. Likewise, you may just want to taper the string height up to 5/64 on the bass side (4/64 on the treble) and see if that solves the problem. __________________ Of course, I don't see anywhere in my post that says it'll actually work...

January 14th, 2004, 02:42 AM	#11 (permalink)
Kevin Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Terre Haute, IN Posts: 2,967	I'm really quite the a**hole! :D Who are you gonna take it to in C'ville? Rob at C'ville music won't touch the nut, though he'll adjust the bridge and neck relief. Why not drop by there Saturday around 12:30? My daughter has her guitar lesson then, and I'll be hanging around. __________________ Of course, I don't see anywhere in my post that says it'll actually work...

January 12th, 2004, 05:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
5965 Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 731	There's always the possibility it's still adjusting to the new temp and humidity, but the first question would be 'did it ever play right.' If it did, there's hope. If not, i.e., if you purchased the guitar mail order, and it was wrong out of the box, I'd ask for a replacement unless there is something unique that you like about it. If you got it at a store, it'd be best to let them do their job. The short answer is if the strings are buzzing, they're too low. It could be that if there's a problem it might not be usable at 'normal' playing height without actual work, as opposed to an adjustment. That could either be because the nut or some of the slots on it are too low, there are some uneven frets or the neck is warped (twisted). Sighting along the neck from both ends will reveal the latter two problems. Often, buzzing happens when people go to lighter strings because the slots were cut for fatter ones that stayed higher up, but I doubt that's the case here, although I don't know what Fender ships them with. If you want to mess with it, I'd suggest starting by backing the pickups well away from the strings to eliminate any intereference from the magnets. Then, if there were any doubt about the visual inspection of the neck, I might straighten the neck and check the frets with a straight edge of some type (like a metal ruler) to look for high frets. Fender's site has some basic info on it about set-ups. Sometimes, frets will pop-up slightly due to changes in temperature and humidity. If that's the case, they can usually be tapped down gently with a hammer. I would suggest not filing frets or doing anything other than simple mechanical adjustments and checks. Because the bottom line is that for one reason or another, it may need to go back.

January 12th, 2004, 06:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
mikfer Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Charlottesville, Virginia USA Age: 49 Posts: 103	It was setup by a local pro, and played well. Then idiot me stuck in the finished basement with the wood stove, which drew out all the moisture. Fixed the humidity problem, and then stared fiddling with the guitar. My take is to take to a shop in town for a second tuneup.

January 12th, 2004, 07:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
5965 Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 731	It definitely wouldn't hurt to have someone take a look at it, just to be safe. Good luck, and I hope the problem's easily solved.

January 13th, 2004, 07:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
mikfer Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Charlottesville, Virginia USA Age: 49 Posts: 103	And I thought they said the eyes would go when I got old, not the ability to feel... I was using the low E string as a straight edge, then on a whim went out and bought an 18" ruler and used that to measure the relief. Using the straight-edge, it's at .006. I am a much happier man. Now it's time to practise with the darn thing!

January 13th, 2004, 08:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
Bob Rogers Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Blacksburg, VA Posts: 1,710	I always use a straight edge to measure relief. It's just so much easier to feel the feeler guages bump against the edge. Maybe some day I'll break down and buy one of those precision edges from stew mac. Right now I use a carpenter's square.

January 13th, 2004, 08:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
mikfer Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Charlottesville, Virginia USA Age: 49 Posts: 103	Blacksburg? You a Hokie? Charlottesville/Wahoo over here. Well, just 'cause I live in C'ville. And thanks for the tip. I count this as a lesson learned.

January 13th, 2004, 11:46 PM	#10 (permalink)
mikfer Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Charlottesville, Virginia USA Age: 49 Posts: 103	Only through here. Saw some of his posts and sent him an e-mail introducing myself. Sound like a real nice fella.

January 14th, 2004, 10:12 AM	#12 (permalink)
mikfer Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Charlottesville, Virginia USA Age: 49 Posts: 103	Darn, can't get there at that time. My youngest has a basketball game at 11:00. That said, the "problem" is solved. Seems I can't use the low E string to check the relief, but when I use a ruler or carpenter's level, the relief is at .006. And with the action set at 4/64 on all four strings. I can now stop obsessing about the instrument and just play it....or at least practise on it. Thanks for the offer, and I'd love to hook up with you sometime.