Already some trouble with Goldie...

[Wick3d.]

Hey guys,

As some of you may know, I just got a brand new Silhouette Special that I absolutely loved the minute I tried even though it needed a setup (straight neck but high action) and a set of new strings. Back at home, I installed a fresh set of EB Hybrid 9-46 and started playing with the saddles to get the action I wanted. However, I could not take it near as low as I wanted it to be without causing some serious fret buzz, especially on the D and G string, near the 12th fret.

As some forumite suggested, I tried loosing the truss rod a bit, simply to give a little relief on the neck to get enough space for the strings to vibrate. However, this only made the buzzing even more audible. It also seems like the neck doesn't move a great deal when I turn the rod and I had to turn it quite a bit before I saw some change...

Does anybody ever experienced stuff like this? I'm really frustrated by this situation and actually bummed by the fact that I can't enjoy my new guitar as much as I should... Also, don't think I am speaking of getting stupid low action here, I'm looking for something a hair lower than 1/8'', which should be more than doable on a guitar of this price.

Thanks a lot for the help, it is greatly appreciated.
Joël

 

[fogman]

To me, it still sounds like a truss rod issue.
Someone who has more experience with this will chime in soon enough.
Hang in there! I'm sure all will be fine.

 

[Gundar]

Hi, Check the FAQ page on EB's site and look under the set up of the Luke ( provided it has a tremelo). It actually gives you a couple of ways to set up your guitar. That should help you out.

Good luck!

 

[lumberjack]

Just wanted to chime in to make sure you are loosening the truss rod and not tightening.

If you are looking down the length of the guitar from the bridge toward the neck you turn the truss rod to the left(counter-clockwise) to loosen.

 

[robelinda2]

its not just the truss rod that could need adjusting, you dont know how much the saddles have been moved since purchase by the original owner.

 

[candid_x]

Starting a set up with the saddles' height probably isn't a good idea. I doubt there's anything wrong with goldie that a good setup won't take care of. If you don't feel like making yourself a bit crazy with setting it up, I suggest to find someone who knows what they're doing near you. You can also send it in and have Jon work his magic. Personally, that's what I would do, but then I also live closer to SBO than you do.

It isn't that hard to set it up, but it gets down to really subtle adjustments that gets the action stupid low and clear. There's "how to's" online, if you care to undertake it yourself. There's also threads here about it, if you can find them with the search function.

Hang in there and don't get discouraged. It'll be worth the wait.

 

[Wick3d.]

its not just the truss rod that could need adjusting, you dont know how much the saddles have been moved since purchase by the original owner.

I bought it new as a NOS, so I think the saddles were in pretty much the same place as they were out of SLO.

Thanks for all the input guys, I'll go to my local shop tomorrow and ask them to take a look at her... will keep you tuned.

Thanks,
Joel

 

[Astrofreq]

Shims, baby, shims.

 

[candid_x]

Shims, baby, shims.

 

[candid_x]

Here's a little mantra from Jon ~ If there is a buzz above the 12th fret, less relief and raise the saddles. If there is a buzz in the lower fret area, you want more relief.

 

[candid_x]

a long version

Checking Neck Bow

Correct truss rod adjustment is determined by the amount of bow or relief that is in the neck. To check neck bow, hold your guitar in playing position and check the low E and high E strings using the following method. With your fretting hand, hold down the string at the first fret. Now with your picking hand thumb, fret the same string at the area where the neck joins the body (around 16th fret). While holding both sections of the string in place, stretch your index finger of your picking hand as far as possible into the middle area of the neck (frets 7-9) and tap the string down to the frets. The amount of distance that the string is travelling to reach the frets is the amount of bow that is in the neck (you may also use feeler gauges to measure this distance, but it’s not necessary). It may desirable to have a slight amount of bow, but not too much. About .3 mm - .5 mm (.010” - .020”) is usually plenty of bow. Having too much bow will cause excessive buzzing in the center area of the neck and will cause the strings to be farther away from the frets in that area making it harder to play. Having too little bow or backbow to the neck will cause excessive buzzing on open notes and fretted notes near the nut area, and will bring the action down too low across the entire fretboard.

Once you have determined the amount of bow that is in the neck, then adjust the truss rod accordingly . Loosen the truss rod (counter-clockwise) if your neck is backbowed. Tighten the truss rod (clockwise) if your neck is underbowed (too much bow). Note: Loosen no more than 1/4 turn, then tune and recheck neck bow until your neck is properly adjusted.

 

[Wick3d.]

Checking Neck Bow

Correct truss rod adjustment is determined by the amount of bow or relief that is in the neck. To check neck bow, hold your guitar in playing position and check the low E and high E strings using the following method. With your fretting hand, hold down the string at the first fret. Now with your picking hand thumb, fret the same string at the area where the neck joins the body (around 16th fret). While holding both sections of the string in place, stretch your index finger of your picking hand as far as possible into the middle area of the neck (frets 7-9) and tap the string down to the frets. The amount of distance that the string is travelling to reach the frets is the amount of bow that is in the neck (you may also use feeler gauges to measure this distance, but it’s not necessary). It may desirable to have a slight amount of bow, but not too much. About .3 mm - .5 mm (.010” - .020”) is usually plenty of bow. Having too much bow will cause excessive buzzing in the center area of the neck and will cause the strings to be farther away from the frets in that area making it harder to play. Having too little bow or backbow to the neck will cause excessive buzzing on open notes and fretted notes near the nut area, and will bring the action down too low across the entire fretboard.

Once you have determined the amount of bow that is in the neck, then adjust the truss rod accordingly . Loosen the truss rod (counter-clockwise) if your neck is backbowed. Tighten the truss rod (clockwise) if your neck is underbowed (too much bow). Note: Loosen no more than 1/4 turn, then tune and recheck neck bow until your neck is properly adjusted.

First of all, thanks a lot for all this info, it's actually been of great help!

I just did the test for both strings and my neck seems correct. At the high E, a Jazz III pick stands still when I put it under the string at the 8th fret while doing the test. However, the pick fell when I tried it on the low E, is this normal?

The guitar is going to my favorite music shop tomorrow, just to see what the owner/luthier will say about it.

Thanks again Candid!
Joel

 

[beej]

Some necks need a bit of encouragement (e.g. slight pulling) if the truss rod binds inside the neck. Really, it just sounds like it needs a good proper set up. And taking it to a tech you trust is the best way to get it in shape Great looking guitar though!

 

[Big Poppa]

ok

I hate customer service threads. Number one well meaning people are giving you advice without seeing your guitar...number 2 the frowny face is no good...What was the bday of this guitar? Dont assume that nos hasnt been tweaked by thousands.....

But we can help you please contact customer service and then check my sig!

 

[jim1h]

Unless you are 100% sure you know what you are doing and are confident of the history of your guitar, why are you attempting adjusting your truss rod? For all the hard earned cash you have paid for your EB and for your own sanity have a pro sort a setup out

 

[lenny]

Here's a little mantra from Jon ~ If there is a buzz above the 12th fret, less relief and raise the saddles. If there is a buzz in the lower fret area, you want more relief.

Is Jongutarz still around....i haven't seen a post in a long time from him ,

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

He's probably busy working.

 

[fogman]

Is Jongutarz still around....i haven't seen a post in a long time from him ,

I'd noticed that for a while now. He hasn't posted since like September or October.

 

[lenny]

Sorry for the hijack by the way......Yah hes probably working ..but usually he will show up once in awhile .....

 

[Wick3d.]

Hey guys,

Just got back from the luthier, and I have to say I pretty damn impressed by the work he's done to my guitar! The action is now set to my likings now, and I'm just straight in love with this guitar now!

BTW: If you ever a slight buzz on your silo, be sure to check your pickup springs. There was one on mine that kept rattling when playing, a simple piece of tape solved the problem.

Thanks to all for the help, this board definately rocks! Let's go back to playing this babe now.
Joël