Telecaster is choking out at 15th fret, not sure how to Fix

[Noobluthier]

Noob tele builder.

Was getting ready to align strings to slot new nut blank but even before slotting with ridiculously high action on 1st fret, when I install the 2 E strings for neck/nut alignment I am totally choking out from the 14-15th fret on.

How to fix?

I have adjusted bridge height but still totally choking out and running out of adjustment space?

I thought there was to be no neck angle on a tele so not sure what I am missing?

My Neck thickness at pocket is 1.04 inches, Neck Pocket is 5/8" deep and I have slight neck relief.

What am I missing?

Looking for causes and suggestions for a fix?

Thanks

 

[Bob J]

Have you adjusted the truss rod tension after installing the strings to make sure the neck is still straight?

 

[medownsouth]

check neck relief, check for high frets w/ a rocker.

 

[jfgesquire]

Too much neck relief can cause choking out in the upper register.

High frets can cause choking out.

Does your neck have a shim? It’s not always the cause but the neck could have a “ski-jump” at the 15th fret. The neck gets more substantial at about the 15th fret and so truss rod adjustments could lead to a ramp there as well.

If you still have lots of fret left, a good level, crown and polish could still fix it.

https://hazeguitars.com/blog/neck-shimming-and-ski-jumps-the-latest-research

 

[Boreas]

Noob tele builder.

Was getting ready to align strings to slot new nut blank but even before slotting with ridiculously high action on 1st fret, when I install the 2 E strings for neck/nut alignment I am totally choking out from the 14-15th fret on.

How to fix?

I have adjusted bridge height but still totally choking out and running out of adjustment space?

I thought there was to be no neck angle on a tele so not sure what I am missing?

My Neck thickness at pocket is 1.04 inches, Neck Pocket is 5/8" deep and I have slight neck relief.

What am I missing?

Looking for causes and suggestions for a fix?

Thanks

Have you actually checked your neck angle?? If you are running out of adjustment at the bridge, my money is on you having a negative neck angle. If you lay a long straightedge on the neck and it points way above the bridge, you have a negative neck angle and will either need a shim or work on the neck heel or heel pocket.

 

[SRHmusic]

A workable order for setup is to:

First, set the relief for a nearly flat neck.

Second, set the bridge saddle heights for reasonable action at the twelfth fret.

If you run out of adjustment range at the bridge then it's likely a neck angle problem.

@Boreas posted just above about that.

Let us know what you find! (I just went through this with the build in my avatar a few months back.)

(Edit: once that's sorted out it's on to fret leveling, nut adjustment, etc.)

 

[schmee]

This has nothing to do with the nut, so move on with the nut.
DO you have fret rocker?

 

[Freeman Keller]

Please, before you do anything, measure everything.

https://www.tdpri.com/threads/basic-setup.952636/

 

[marc2211]

I had a similar issue on a Warmoth build recently. In the end I put in a very thin shim, thicker at the headstock side.

When I take the guitar in after ‘that which can’t be named’ for a full setup, I’ll ask them to adjust the pocket as needed.

To be honest though it’s fully playable and has a nice setup with the shim in place.

I used the thinnest Stewmac one.

 

[Ronkirn]

Level the frets. do a setup...

this will get ya through the leveling...
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-technical/201556-fret-leveling-yer-tele-101-a.html

the setup os covered in the free publications I havre available on my website, enjoy then rock on.

https://www.ronkirn.com/books-1


Ron

 

[Alex_C]

I had a similar issue on a Warmoth build recently. In the end I put in a very thin shim, thicker at the headstock side.

When I take the guitar in after ‘that which can’t be named’ for a full setup, I’ll ask them to adjust the pocket as needed.

To be honest though it’s fully playable and has a nice setup with the shim in place.

I used the thinnest Stewmac one.

I did the same exact thing on my partscaster.

 

[CCK1]

If your neck radius is less than about 9.5", you may just have to raise the action or live with bends less that 1.5 steps.

 

[jwp333]

Tighten truss rod first to the point where you have no discernible relief , see if that gets it fixed. But mine usually choke out around the 11th/12th fret area if I've got too much relief.

 

[Fatcat211]

Check to see if the neck screws are too tight. I’ve see it cause fretboard ramps up the 12 that causes notes to choke out on bends.

 

[green_henry]

If your neck radius is less than about 9.5", you may just have to raise the action or live with bends less that 1.5 steps.

^ this

If you have a 7.25" radius, it's wonderful for chords but not so hot for big bends.

 

[Oldsmobum]

when I install the 2 E strings for neck/nut alignment I am totally choking out from the 14-15th fret on.

Thanks

Stop- don’t touch anything yet... Put the rest of the strings on. You have too much relief because there is no tension from the strings pulling the neck. It will bow slightly under string tension and everything will be different. You’ll have a better idea where you are at when you do this.