CV Action Height

[kennedyj]

What do you guys favor for action height on your tele? I just replaced the 9's on my CV with 10's and can't seem to get the action low enough without buzzing. I'm shooting for the standard 3/32 bass side, 2/32 treble side but am having trouble getting there (especially treble side). I'v never had this problem before, but most of my other guitars are tune-o-matic style bridges. Don't see why that would make a difference.

[sotob]

I placed 10's on there as well and followed Fender's recommendation, but now when I do bends on the 12 the fret on the 1 and 2 strings, the sound dies pretty quickly. I think I need to check the pickup heights as well, so hopefully someone has some good tips to share.

[PJ]

Try a set of D'Addario 9.5-44s. That's all I use on my Teles. They set-up and play fabulous. Better tone than 9's but still very bendable. Just the right compromise IMHO.

[Mark Davis]

I had to adjust my truss rod a lirrle when I went from the stock 9's to 46-9 which are the wounds from a 10 set and the plains from a 9 set.

46-36-26-16-11-9

I have a little less than 1/16" on the treble side and just a hair higher on the bass side.

No buzz anywhere.

Check the nut it might be cut too low hold down all the strings at the 3rd fret then look at the 1st fret you should just be able to see some daylight under the strings if they are touching the frets thats your problem.

[1977CJ5]

Any time I went from 9's to 10's on any guitar I've owned, I had to tighten my truss rod just a little.. Maybe 1/8 to 1/4 turn. Makes a big difference on buzzing and how the guitar plays and feels. If you are not comfortable doing this, run it to a shop and let them check it. Should not cost much of anything for a quick adjustment if it is needed.

[kennedyj]

Yeah, I did the 1/8 - 1/4 turn this morning but appear to be in the same place.

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by kennedyj

Yeah, I did the 1/8 - 1/4 turn this morning but appear to be in the same place.

Hold down the big E string at the 1st and last frets. Look at the 7-8 fret area you need to see some daylight about the same size as your small e.

DO all the strings buzz on all frets?

You mentioned in your first post your a tuneOmatic guy did you wind the strings the right way? They dont work like Les Paul tuners.

[mijstrat72]

check the buzzing frets...I've noticed my 7th, 9th, 11th and 12th frets are not completely pressed into the fretboard.

A simple fret dress may be in order.

I'm still deciding whether or not to send mine back and trade up for a mim.

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by mijstrat72

check the buzzing frets...I've noticed my 7th, 9th, 11th and 12th frets are not completely pressed into the fretboard.

A simple fret dress may be in order.

I'm still deciding whether or not to send mine back and trade up for a mim.

Id send it back chances are you will get a lighter one mime is 7lbs 13oz and one without any problems.

Simetimes saddle screws that are loose will buzz and if the nut is cut to low it will always buzz.

[kennedyj]

Originally Posted by mijstrat72

check the buzzing frets...I've noticed my 7th, 9th, 11th and 12th frets are not completely pressed into the fretboard.

Took a good look and all frets seem to be well pressed into the board.

Hold down the big E string at the 1st and last frets. Look at the 7-8 fret area you need to see some daylight about the same size as your small e.

Got plenty of room when I do this, I would say more like the size of an A or E string than small E.

You mentioned in your first post your a tuneOmatic guy did you wind the strings the right way? They dont work like Les Paul tuners.

Yeah, everything's strung up properly.

There's no buzzing anywhere right now, but that's with the action set relatively high. If I set it where I'm shooting for (around 2/32 at the twelth on the treble side), it's unplayable-fretted notes just clonk against the board.

I guess my question is has anyone been unable to get their action to this level or am I trying to go too low. It's about where all my other guitars are and have never had a problem.

[Mark Davis]

Yoiu need to tighten the truss rod some more. Your neck relief is too much.

Loosen all the strings and give it another 1/4 turn tighter. Then tune it back up and check it 24 hours later.

I checked my action and its 3/64 on the treble side and 4/64 on the bass side and it plays like a dream and has never buzzed at all but I should also mention my CV has the lowest buzz free action Ive ever had on any Fender.

Did it buzz with the stock strings?

[kennedyj]

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

Yoiu need to tighten the truss rod some more. Your neck relief is too much.

Loosen all the strings and give it another 1/4 turn tighter. Then tune it back up and check it 24 hours later.

I checked my action and its 3/64 on the treble side and 4/64 on the bass side and it plays like a dream and has never buzzed at all but I should also mention my CV has the lowest buzz free action Ive ever had on any Fender.

Did it buzz with the stock strings?

Didn't notice any buzzing with the stock strings (9s).
More truss rod adjusting is the conclusion I have come to also. Will give it a go and report back in a day or so.
I should note that it has been colder than normal here lately and our apartment can get drafty. Perhaps the cold has thrown off the neck slightly?

[000-28ec]

I tried a set of 11's on my new CV for a day. I changed them because I didnt like the tension... but I had no buzzing on the neck...I put 10's on and she plays great all over...mine did not require a truss rod tweak. Robb

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by kennedyj

Didn't notice any buzzing with the stock strings (9s).
More truss rod adjusting is the conclusion I have come to also. Will give it a go and report back in a day or so.
I should note that it has been colder than normal here lately and our apartment can get drafty. Perhaps the cold has thrown off the neck slightly?

Ok good if it didnt buzz with the 9's then it shouldnt buzz with the 10's after you get it all adjusted right. You will get it workin good I bet.

[musicmatty]

Anywhere between .5/64 and 1/64 of relief measured at the 8th fret..usually on the D string, is respectable. This should allow you to set your action at 3/64 accross the fret board without any rattle ping or buzz. Any issues outside of these settings, you should have your frets looked at and a possible bad nut also.

Make sure you capo your lst fret and press down the D string at the last fret to correctly check for relief at the 8th fret.

[kennedyj]

Well I've been away for awhile but am back to working on this problem and guess what? Still can't get the action where I want it. At this point I'm considering going in for a professional setup (as much as it pains me, haven't done this since I was 16) to see if they have an answer.

More and more I'm wondering if indeed the nut is cut too low. What are some good measurements I can use to gauge this? Also, how would this happen on a mass produced instrument? I assume a machine makes these cuts and wouldn't they all be the same? How could one nut be so far off (if that's the case)?

[The OB]

to check nut. fret strings between 2nd and 3rd fret then use feeler gauge should be .060 if memory serves correct if it doesnt (the memory) im sure one of these guys will correct me

[Mark Davis]

You mentioned it didnt buzz when you got it with the 9's. Since its buzzing with the 10's its something in the setup.

If yiu set the relief at 0.10-0.12 you should be able to get a low buzz free action.

If the nut is too low you wont see any daylight on the 1st fret when all the strings are pressed down at the 3rd fret. But to get an accurate reading of that the relief has to be set right first.

[Ultrastick]

Mark, if the truss rod is tightened, doesn't that tend to straighten the neck, thereby bringing the strings closer to the neck, perhaps exacerbating the buzz problem?

Just trying to learn here. My CV is out for delivery. Can't wait....

[Manolian]

With neck relief of .010 at the 8th fret , using Fender 250L (.009-.042) I set the action to 2/32" @ the 17th fret for all strings ,every note rings clear on my CV ,the fret job is perfect.

[kennedyj]

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

If yiu set the relief at 0.10-0.12 you should be able to get a low buzz free action.

I'm guessing you mean .010-.012?

[MeMota]

I just checked my nut and they are pretty close when I depress between frets 2 and 3, a little daylight between them all except the high e which just touches.

Sound too low?

What are the problems with a low nut?

[Manolian]

Originally Posted by MeMota

I just checked my nut and they are pretty close when I depress between frets 2 and 3, a little daylight between them all except the high e which just touches.

Sound too low?

What are the problems with a low nut?

String height should be between .5 to .6 mm at the first fret.
A low nut causes open string buzz ,and poor playability.

[MeMota]

Ah, thanks

Do you mean .5mm - 0.6mm when no frets are depressed?

[Manolian]

Originally Posted by MeMota

Ah, thanks

Do you mean .5mm - 0.6mm when no frets are depressed?

Right ,no frets depressed , just the distance between bottom of string and top of fret , open strings.

[MeMota]

I'm pretty spot on it seems, phew! Thanks

[mrtoulouse]

Originally Posted by Ultrastick

Mark, if the truss rod is tightened, doesn't that tend to straighten the neck, thereby bringing the strings closer to the neck, perhaps exacerbating the buzz problem?

Just trying to learn here. My CV is out for delivery. Can't wait....

Well yes and no. .
Its quite simple when you think about it. Adding relief will give you more clearance on the lower part of the neck where the neck is "descending", because the fret after the one your fretting will be lower than the one you fret; I marked this with " - " in the illustration(crappy I know) , but as soon as you get to fretting point " o " and the " + "' s you start to get problems as the fret after the one your fretting is higher than the one your fretting, thus making a need for higher action in order for the string to ring clearly.



Even though this illustration is very excaggerated and simple, it should help visualizing why too much relief is a a trouble maker.. The trick is to find a compromise. I personally make the neck dead straight, and then loosen a bit from here; just enough so that I can hear a bit of gap when capo'ing 1st fret and fretting where the body meets the neck, and tapping the 7th fret.

Best of luck on your setup. My advice is to keep trying till you get it right, that way you can always do small adjustments in the future quickly and on the run, should it be needed.

[Ultrastick]

Ahhhh! Thanks toulouse. Now I see what you are saying. Makes sense and will sure help me with future setups!

Thanks again!

[mrtoulouse]

glad it helped. It sure was ugly though:D