[michaelcreese]

On a Washburn elec-accoustic the string hight at the top end of the fingerboard is about 12mm. The guitar has seldom been used and is about 15 years old. It cost then about 800 dollars. I do not think it is a great guitar. I have relieved the neck as much as I can. I intend to remove the fixed saddle and take 1.5mm off the bottom and sand down the wooden mount (dont know what that should be called) in an attempt to make the thing playable. I would take off 2mm but think I may not have the material to spare. Hard to comment I´m sure but is there anything there that makes you want to yell DO NOT DO THAT! I am not such a great guitarist or tech but am a tradesman and can use handtools fine. I am very impressed with the knowledge and the attitude of this site. Thanks.
Mike Creese

[michaelcreese]

Sorry, should read I have removed as much relief as I can.
Mike Creese

[michaelcreese]

Hi Mike. No-one to talk to? Dont worry, you seem like a good guy to me. I would go for it mate. The machine clearly is no good as is, sounds as though it would be easier to play the cat. Judging by your post I think you have the intelligence and the looks to carry off the greatest moves. Let us know how it works out for you , huh?

[michaelcreese]

Thanks Mike. Thought I was somewhere else for a minute. Well it did it and the string hight is now perfect. I filed the saddle and bedded it back in some twisted teflon tape, slightly higher at the trebles. The guitar is now A1 and I owe it all to you. Thanks.

[michaelcreese]

No problems man. I knew you could do it.

[allthumbs]

Look at the area under the bridge. If there is a significant bulge where the strings have lifted the bridge, it may be unfix-able. That is the number one guitar killer. leave a guitar strung under tension for years and the bridge gets pulled up past the point of being able to shave it down to be playable.
If that is not the case, then that leaves the neck and nut. Take it to a tech. It could be worth while replacing the neck on an 800 dollar guitar if that is the problem.
Wrse come to worse, you have a slide guitar.

[allthumbs]

oops too late. sorry.

[michaelcreese]

Thanks all thumbs. It had no visible distortion or damage and was alwas like it. I stupidly thought that the name and the price would mean it was a decent instrument. I used to play that type of guitar, though I´m a novice to the strat, and I never got on with it. I went for it cos there was nothing much to lose. It worked, I thought it would, but you never know what it is that you do not know. I am finding the posts and the advice in all fields really really interesting. The bit on the truss rod and neck adjust was something you cannot find out just anywhere. Thanks again.

[bugg0292]

I am having major problems with fret buzz above the 12th fret
(some notes don't even ring out) what do i need to do???

[bugg0292]

*AFTER* the 12th fret
e.x. b string 15th fret baaaaaaaadddd fret buzz!!!!

[starsailor]

Best to start with a bit of troubleshooting, I'm no tech bugg0292 but there's only a certain amount of things it can be, Is your guitar acoustic or electric Bugg0292? if it's acoustic is it nylon or steel strung? does it have a truss rod? what condition are the frets in? Is the neck straight? Is the fretboard level, whats the action like ie how far away from the fretboard are the strings, how old is the guitar.
Not too sure I can help you much but if you can answer a few of these it will give a better idea of what's going on and the techs. should be able to help.

[bugg0292]

I have a strat imitator and it is brand new as far as i know.
the frets are a little dinged up in a couple spots but not in the problem areas.
the action is low i can still fit a business card under it though.
I have tried switching string guages (from reg to x-lite)
and that did nothing.

[starsailor]

Sorry to keep asking questions Bugg0292 but is the buzz on all the strings above the 12th or is it just one or two that are buzzing when you fret up there, as you've changed strings and switched to x lites the set up might not be spot on, a tech would know more than me though.

[bugg0292]

to be more precise the buzz is on and above the 15th fret on the B, (low)E,A,and D strings.
not on the high e or the g oddly enough but when I bend the high e it doesnt ring out if that helps

[starsailor]

Well we appear to have ruled out most things, if the necks straight, bridge is ok, fretboard's level, action's ok, then the only thing's left in my limited knowledge is it's either something wrong with that fretwire or the guitar set up isn't spot on, did the buzzing start after you changed strings or was it there before, I was hoping one of the techs. could help you, the only other option you have really is to take it to your store and get that fret and the set up checked out, messing around with the saddle can be a bit fiddly so if you aren't happy to do it then the sensible thing to do would be to get the store to set the guitar up for you, if you do this make sure you play it before you leave the store or get them to play it just to make sure they've solved the problem, if you agree it might be the set up and not the fretwire, then you could always post a new thread asking for set up tips if you want to have a go yourself depends how happy you are to have a go though it's not a good idea if you're unsure about doing it.
I'm really sorry I couldn't help more Bugg0292, ruled a few things out but didn't solve the problem, hope you can sort this please tell me if you do.

Cheers

Chris