620/13th fret muting

axel · Post by **axel** » Mon Mar 19, 2001 8:04 am

Slight problem on my 620 : the hi E string is completely muted when played at the 13th fret. Just like the other strings, it plays fine anywhere else - but for that 13th fret.
I use a standard .10-.46 set, except the G string which is a wound .18. Action is set fairly low, but with no inconvenience. Is it something with the truss rods ? Or...? Since I haven't played the 620 for "soloing" for quite a while I just discovered this... I would appreciate a little help here before messing up the overall setting of the guitar which suits me fine otherwise.
Thanks a million times
axel

Steve_G · Post by **Steve_G** » Mon Mar 19, 2001 8:41 am

Check your pickups to see if the string is hitting the pickup when you play it on the 13th fret. You may just have to lower the offending pickup.

axel · Post by **axel** » Mon Mar 19, 2001 8:52 am

Thanks Steve - I had checked that but, no, pickups ain't touching the strings. If it was, I guess I would get the rattling from the 13th fret up ; but I don't, it's only the 13th fret and it's only the high E...
thanks

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Mon Mar 19, 2001 10:45 am

If only the 13th fret is "muted" it is one of two things .

1st ...how high off the fretboard are your strings at the last fret?
Can you bend the High E one whole step ?anywhere on the neck?

axel · Post by **axel** » Mon Mar 19, 2001 11:59 am

Yes, I can bend it one step all through the neck - although obviously it is impossible to do it when close to the nut... (or should it ?)
As for height, I have no precise tools for that but the High E is about a bit less than 2mm above the last fret, so less than 3mm above the fretboard. It's quite the same for the other strings and they all seem to follow the fretboard shape. Anything wrong Doc ?

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Mon Mar 19, 2001 2:01 pm

If you can bend a whole step all over the neck except the 13th fret ,then it is a good bet that the action is fine ,just a light fret dress and you should be back to normal.Sounds like a case of wood compression or a loose fret .This is really easy to remedy.

axel · Post by **axel** » Mon Mar 19, 2001 10:55 pm

Oh, the pleasure of a reassuring answer !
The hi E string sounds fine at the 13th fret when bended at least half a tone - when played straight it is muted. Could this be fixed by any experienced tech (ie not accustomed to Rics). What do you mean by "wood compression" ?
merci et encore merci, that is thanks and thanks again.
axel