Hey guys, i’ve got a weird thing that I might have fucked up a bit, but any tips are welcome.
I’ve got an old cheap guitar which I though I’d improve a bit with some other pickups I had. Installed the pickups, also got some new strings. So weirdly enough, for some reason the new strings touched the first few frets. I could adjust this at the bridge but it really needed to be lifted a lot, which screws up the action in my opinion. Didn’t screw with any other part of the guitar besides pickup, the only reason I could imagine was that the neck was warped from sitting around without strings for a bit (but it wasn’t even that long I believe? But maybe cheap guitar = cheap materials?).
The neck doesn’t seem warped to the eye, but have to admit that I’m starting to doubt the straightness of my references for straightness. It feels as if the neck is ever so slightly crooked on the body (like leaning forward a bit), but again I can’t imagine this suddenly happening when changing the pickups?
I know some might say “just take it to the shop” but I like DIYing and I really want to learn more about this stuff, and especially what the hell is going on. Anyone got any thoughts on this?
(Could post some pictures but on pictures nothing really stands out).
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To me, this is a great opportunity to learn how to setup guitars. I did it a few years ago, after playing guitar for over 20 years, and it changed my life. Just need a few tools that can be bought cheap and, no matter how inexpensive the guitar is, it will play much much better.
Yeah that’s why I want to just DIY on my guitars a bit, seems like a fun thing to learn.
So far I got away with typical tools, like normal screwdrivers, hex wrenches, etc. Do you mean some more specific tools are necessary?
Notched straightedge, fret rocker tool, action gauge, fret leveling file, fret crowning file… There are plenty of tutorials over there. Adjust the truss rod, level the frets and crown them. Then you can adjust the action as low as you like, without any buzz. These are the basics. Twisted necks are at a different level of complexity, but just having a good action without any buzz is a great achievement.
Ah damn, thanks for the tips! Looking over those tools a bit, there a shitload of tools and measuring devices which I could have used before. Very helpful, thanks!
+1 for the notched straight edge.
I started dabbling with set ups and bought the Music Nomad feeler gauges. These indicated the correct truss-rod tension, but I was still getting problems. With the straight edge, I could take the relief down (almost a flat neck) and the problems are gone and it’s easier to play.
My current thinking is ignore truss adjustment based on string height. Just get the neck as flat as I can without creating fret buzz.
Some people don’t even change their own strings
Did you make sure you replaced the strings with ones of the same gauge? I ask because it sounds like you may have put on a heavier gauge which has caused the neck to bow with the increased tension. It’s not a massive issue but if it is the case you will need to adjust the truss rod. It’s a bit of a daunting process but honestly it’s not too hard, there’s plenty of guides out there on how to do it. Or you could take it to a shop if you’re not feeling too confident.
(Edit: after reading your comment again it’s more likely you replaced with a lighter gauge if the strings are hitting the first couple of frets, same solution though just turn the truss rod the other direction)
I think indeed I have a bit bigger gauge, but i’m testing it now with the old string actually (Don’t want to damage the new string by constantly putting it on and off etc).
A bigger gauge pulls harder on the headstock, pulling the neck up, you mean? But then I would think that the strings height would increase, not? I did see another comment mention the truss-rod aswell. Thought it was daunting indeed but some googling makes it seem kinda doable.
also, lol after seeing you edit, but yeah I believe the new strings are a bit bigger, but the effect seems to be from a weaker pull, like you said. but yeah that kinda confuses me :")
Yeah you’re totally right that a heavier gauge pulls the neck towards the body and generally would make the strings sit further away from the fretboard.
Another reason perhaps is that newer strings tend to sound brighter and sharper and can make fret buzz seem louder, so perhaps you had some fret buzz before but it’s more noticeable with fresher strings? This has happened to me more than once.
Got a few things you can look into Pickups are magnetic, if new pick ups are set higher they might be pulling down on the strings? (Just a theory not sure if it’s possible). You should be able to lower or lift the pickups and see if it helps. The new strings, are they the same gauge? Different gauges pull at different tensions so that could be it. Also, you can look into adjusting the truss rod. Look up videos of how to and where to find it, it varies on guitars. Good luck bro.
Yeah, Truss rod would be my first guess. If OP went with thicker strings then that’s going to put more tension on the neck and could cause the issue.
OP, if you see this, look up videos on youtube on how to properly set up your guitar for neck straightness, string height, and intonation. Stew Mac has a ton of videos so I would start there.
Truss rod was my immediate and almost certain thought as well.
I picked up a little diy guitar book a few years back. Went from having everything in tune at 1st fret and horribly out of tune at the 7th to an in tune everywhere, solid sounding, easy action, no buzz, and glorious sustain.
I don’t have a feeling the pickups pull on them that much harder than the previous set, and it wouldn’t pull it harder than what the bridge allows. Also this new one is already a bit lower. String i’m testing it with now is actually the one that was on it before, but it could indeed be that the new set has a slightly higher gauge. I started using the old string just to not damage the new one too much but putting it on, adjust stuff, taking it off etc etc etc
The truss rod is a very good recommendation, have heard of that but didn’t think about adjusting that myself, but from what google shows it could be a cool solution. Thanks for the tip!
Good luck, update your post if you figure it out
Definitly, will prolly try some stuff this weekend, will update!
Sorry if I’m late to the party… Once a guitar is set up properly, the only adjustment you should really ever have to make is the truss rod unless you make a major change ir some sort of event (fell over, etc). OP says they (possibly) changed to a heavier gage string, if your action was already set low, this could be the culprit as some truss rods are more stout than others. Over time this will cause the “bow and arrow” effect, but in the short term the gage of the strings might be enough to cause buzzing. Some other possibilities-
If it’s a bolt-on neck, is the neck plate screwed in tight?
If it’s a Fender with that horrid “tilt” option, maybe back that adjustment screw out AFTER loosening the neck plate, then tighten the neck plate back down
Is the guitar now in a more humid environment? This could cause swelling of the wood, possibly pushing some frets slightly out of their seat and may need to be pressed and glued in.
Does the guitar have a trem? Then the heavier gage strings might ultimately be the issue as the stronger pull as it’s tuned to pitch would pull it lower. If it does and you look at the trem, it should sit at the same level/angle as the body. If it’s tilted forward toward the headstock, there’s your issue.
I’m by no means an expert, but I’ve set up all of my guitars and probably another 12-15 for friends and have had no complaints. If you really want to be pointed in the right direction for guitar setups on YouTube, look for DWOFS (Dave’s World Of Fun Stuff). If he hasn’t set up your exact model he’s definitely done one similar enough where you should be able to figure out what’s going on.
As always, take everything you read on the internet with a grain of salt, a lot of helpful posters in this thread but we’re all trying to triage sight unseen.
That’s what I wondered.
Even if the new pick ups don’t have stronger magnets, I guess lighter strings could get pulled on more easily…? Or maybe the new strings have a higher iron content and are more prone to magnetic pool? (as I write this is sounding less plausible!).
