Having a helluva time getting this Squier 40th Anniversary Tele set up and playing without buzzing!

[Boreas]

The misaligned neck can usually be simply adjusted by loosening the neck screws, straightening the neck, then re-tightening. This is usually one of the first steps in a proper set-up on a new guitar.

Although in your case, I believe something is askew on your bridge/saddles. Something is out of position. May be simple, may be bad. Would need more pix to diagnose. But if it is going back, it doesn't matter, unless your replacement was the next in line at the factory!

 

[tomasz]

The high e is literally off the board by the time you get to the neck pup. At the nut maybe a strings width before it falls off. The rest of the strings feel right.

It’s almost definitely squier, it’s the 40th anniversary model. I bought it new from Zzounds. So again, I’m pretty sure? I haven’t actually opened it up.

Also, the truss rod does absolutely nothing when adjusting it. I loosened it soooo much and the neck still looks almost straight still.

I'd say, unless you enjoy your own repairs on a new guitar, just exchange it. Too many issues with this one. I'd keep it only if heavily discounted. But that said, I recently just sent back a guitar, just because I couldn't eliminate some sympathetic noises and trust me, I did try everything. Its just not worth it.

 

[matty428]

Graphite will do no harm, but it is not necessary if the nut is formed, set, and polished properly during a set-up.

Unless you do your own thorough, systematic set-ups, I would advise playing a new guitar for a week or so, letting it settle to it's new environment, noting any issues you don't like (action, buzzes, string gauge, etc.), tightening any obvious loose screws, then taking it to a GOOD tech, luthier, or friend who can do a proper, new-guitar set-up. It shouldn't be too expensive, and the tech should be able to identify any serious structural flaws in the geometry of the neck/body. He/she can also set your pickup heights to your preference, if you have any.

It is very likely this is all your instrument needs. But the set-up needs to be done in the proper sequence or things get confusing fast. Virtually NO guitars arrive properly set up, because in order to be properly set up, a tech needs to know how to set it up for the INDIVIDUAL who will be playing it. There IS no "general set up" that will work for everyone, but sometimes the do arrive "close enough" if the owner isn't very picky!

Oh I agree. I do my own work as I find it fulfilling in a “hard work” feeling? I can’t mechanic and fix most things but guitars speak to me. I’ve set up all my own guitars the same way: TRAIN: Tune, Rod(truss rod), Action, Intonation, Noodle to check all the above settings. Has always been enough. But I think I just got a lemon of a guitar and for $600 an expected less work out of the box. My $200 affinity Tele was better set up outta the box than this one.

 

[matty428]

I'd say, unless you enjoy your own repairs on a new guitar, just exchange it. Too many issues with this one. I'd keep it only if heavily discounted. But that said, I recently just sent back a guitar, just because I couldn't eliminate some sympathetic noises and trust me, I did try everything. It’s just not worth it.

I’m literally repacking it today to send off hopefully Monday. $600 I expected better outta the box. My $200 affinity tele was in better shape outta the box. Shoot my Starcaster out of the same factory was better!

 

[matty428]

The misaligned neck can usually be simply adjusted by loosening the neck screws, straightening the neck, then re-tightening. This is usually one of the first steps in a proper set-up on a new guitar.

Although in your case, I believe something is askew on your bridge/saddles. Something is out of position. May be simple, may be bad. Would need more pix to diagnose. But if it is going back, it doesn't matter, unless your replacement was the next in line at the factory!

Oh man don’t put that bad juju on me man I’m hoping I get a solid Wednesday model and not this Friday or hungover Monday one!

 

[kuch]

Sounds like you should try to learn more about setting up guitars before attempting what you did again. There's a lot of information out there.

 

[matty428]

What do you mean by "almost straight"? When the nut is loose, is there an up-bow (relief) or a back bend? Are the strings removed? Has the neck set a while with no truss rod or string tension?

Personally, if the nut is loose with no string tension, and the neck is dead straight using a good straightedge, I like that for a starting point with a single-action truss rod. Typically adding string tension will get me a few thousandths of relief, while at the same time adding some tension to the nut for good measure. But I personally don't like much neck relief. But again, you need to know what string gauge you are going to end up with before going too far, as string tension is a critical part of correct guitar geometry.

I mean that with tension and fully tuned loosening the truss rod or tightening the truss rod does nothing. No movement or curvature of the neck at all.

Whether it’s sat without tension or not for a long time, I don’t honestly know. I bought it new on Tuesday and it was delivered Thursday

 

[Billy3]

I apologize deeply, I didn’t read your reply carefully enough and went shooting my mouth off before I realized I was a moron! Sorry sir!

It's all good.

 

[matty428]

Sounds like you should try to learn more about setting up guitars before attempting what you did again. There's a lot of information out there.

I’ve been setting my own guitars up for almost a decade with little to no issues my friend. I’be done my homework and I did all of my typical tricks. Nothing was going to make up for the fact that this guitar is probably a lemon from the factory as was stated before.

 

[Boreas]

Oh man don’t put that bad juju on me man I’m hoping I get a solid Wednesday model and not this Friday or hungover Monday one!

Ask the dealer if they can do an in-hand examination before they send it out. That should be free.

BTW, did your guitar arrive double-boxed in factory packaging?

 

[matty428]

Ask the dealer if they can do an in-hand examination before they send it out. That should be free.

BTW, did your guitar arrive double-boxed in factory packaging?

Idk if zzounds.com does that? I never asked…..and yes it did, with all the hanger tags and whatnot from the factory. I’m assuming it’s just a poorly cut but, but I don’t want to mess with installing a new nut. I’m not super skilled at that and I don’t want to ruin the neck. Plus they’re doing a swap so I don’t mind waiting a few more days. (I’ve already boxed it back up to be ready for when the label gets emailed to me)

 

[Boreas]

Idk if zzounds.com does that? I never asked…..and yes it did, with all the hanger tags and whatnot from the factory. I’m assuming it’s just a poorly cut but, but I don’t want to mess with installing a new nut. I’m not super skilled at that and I don’t want to ruin the neck. Plus they’re doing a swap so I don’t mind waiting a few more days. (I’ve already boxed it back up to be ready for when the label gets emailed to me)

The reason I asked is that I can't figure out how the strings were so far off without the bridge being knocked out of place or the neck damaged.

 

[matty428]

The reason I asked is that I can't figure out how the strings were so far off without the bridge being knocked out of place or the neck damaged.

Yeah it was honestly the weirdest thing. The neck did look SLIGHTLY “twisted” if I remember correctly, but I’m not sure if it was my eyes playing tricks on me.

 

[Freeman Keller]

Matty, I'm totally lost on whether you are keeping or sending this back (and if you've "worked" on it will they accept return). If you are keeping it and going to try to set it up I can talk you thru some things. The very first is to stop doing anything and measure everything, writing it all down. Once you do that we can proceed.

 

[matty428]

Matty, I'm totally lost on whether you are keeping or sending this back (and if you've "worked" on it will they accept return). If you are keeping it and going to try to set it up I can talk you thru some things. The very first is to stop doing anything and measure everything, writing it all down. Once you do that we can proceed.

I appreciate the offer and will definitely keep you in mind should I ever need it, but yes I am sending it back. I spent quite a chunk of cash on this thing and I agree with early commenters that I got myself a $600 lemon.

 

[matty428]

I appreciate the offer and will definitely keep you in mind should I ever need it, but yes I am sending it back. I spent quite a chunk of cash on this thing and I agree with early commenters that I got myself a $600 lemon.

Thank you though Mr Keller!

 

[matty428]

Hey guys! Been a while since I’ve been here and posted, but work and life’s been nuts! So I’m here again with a problem. I just brought this beautiful hunk a wood hole, and I’m getting wicked amounts of rattling and fret buzz on the low E, A, and D strings from frets 1-3. And the D string when played open sounds like a Sitar! Now I’ve loosened the truss rod, and it still seems not be giving ANY relief if any at all. And I’ve done probably 1-2 FULL turns added all up. I’ve also shimmed the neck, I have a piece of business card under the neck where the screws come through. I’ve also noticed that the strings are very much shifted to (looking up the neck from the bridge) left. Where the high E is almost off the board completely. Idk, am I better off contacting zzounds where I bought it? Or Squier themselves? Any help would be appreciated!

Hey guys! Just wanted to give y’all an update for what it’s worth! I just got my replacement after two weeks almost waiting for FedEx and their WONDERFUL logistical prowess, and it is amazing! Plays like a dream. Nut is cut correctly, the finish is perfect, and it sounds amazing. Also the truss Rod actual works!! Thanks to all of you guys that helped me out! Attached is a picture with her sister!