Buzzing fret

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 2:50 am

Ok, this ones new to me.

I just received my 4003DG and in the process of restringing and setting up, I noticed that the 19th fret of my "G" string frets out against the 20th fret. No where else, just the "G" string.

High fret ??? or something else.

One thing to note:
when I adjusted the rods for the first time, the rod on the "E" side was tightened, but the nut on the "G" side was completely loose.

I loosened the "E" side and started over, evenly putting stress on both rods.

The neck seems to be OK, nice action with no twist or "S" curve. At least none that I can notice.

I just have this one annoying buzzing fret.

What do you think? Is this a result of the rods being improperly adjusted and will take care of its self in time, or just a high fret?

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 3:02 am

sounds to me you might need to mess with the rods more maybe start off adjusting the G side first.Actually if the G side was loose and it wasn't buzzing before you've probably got a back bow on that side now,maybe go back to the original configuration and go from there again slowly.

jps · Post by **jps** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 4:05 am

As much as RIC or any other high quality luthier strives to make the best and provide an instrument to the highest standards, a new instrument may still need fret dressing (I recommend Hidden Valley, BTW).

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 6:31 am

Sometimes frets lift and need to be tapped back into place. I have not seen too much of this on Ricks but it can happen. Inspect the edges of the fret. There should be no noticeable gap between the fret and the fingerboard. The fret should sit snuggly against the wood without compressing it. The fact is, few instruments come from the factory with perfect frets. I played a new Alembic a few months back that had a high fret. It is nobody's fault. It just happens. When I bought my Tux (used), the frets were original, un-modified and very uneven. The bass had lots of buzzes and note-outs up and down the neck. Very disappointing. I avoided playing it for a few months because it ****** me off so much. After adjusting the neck and dressing several problem frets the Tux became one of my best players. The action at the 20th fret is a shade over 2/32" these days.