Help! AX40 needs some adjustment

[littlelio]

Hi guys, my first post here! because just got my lovely AX40, Sterling from Musicman. I found a couple of questions with the guitar settings, any comment is appreciated!

First one is the string buzz, which is not a fret buzz. For example the open G buzz is quite annoying. I finally found out the root cause: the nut. It seems that the string was somehow knocking the metal nut slot. After I put some paper under the string in the slot the buzz almost disappeared. But i know this is not a perfect solution. Any idea? I haven't changed the string but I will try later.

Then I was frustrated in tuning the guitar. Actually using a tuner is very straightforward. Yes, but after I tuned the open string to standard EADGBE, the first fret of low E, which should be F, is around 40 cents sharper; and the third fret of low A, which is C, also around 30 cents sharper. While the 12th fret of all the strings is reasonably good. I know this is some kind of common issue with the guitar, but is there any good ideas to adjust it?

Oh, almost forgot: What is the recommended gauge of the string? I searched through the internet but simply can not find this information.


Thanks in advance.

 

[Tung]

Sounds like you just need a good set up. my JP50 was not set up that great when I bought it. Sometimes the guitar will changed during shipping too, causing action to rise and strings to buzz.
I would recommend spending some $ to get a really good set up job: fret dress, truss rod adjustment, intonation and get the tech to set the action the way you want it.
The Sterlings are shipped with gauge 10s on them. I find they work the best on these guitars, easier to get good action and feel better than 9s. But of course string gauge is a matter of personal preference.

 

[patpark]

Hi guys, my first post here! because just got my lovely AX40, Sterling from Musicman. I found a couple of questions with the guitar settings, any comment is appreciated!

First one is the string buzz, which is not a fret buzz. For example the open G buzz is quite annoying. I finally found out the root cause: the nut. It seems that the string was somehow knocking the metal nut slot. After I put some paper under the string in the slot the buzz almost disappeared. But i know this is not a perfect solution. Any idea? I haven't changed the string but I will try later.

Then I was frustrated in tuning the guitar. Actually using a tuner is very straightforward. Yes, but after I tuned the open string to standard EADGBE, the first fret of low E, which should be F, is around 40 cents sharper; and the third fret of low A, which is C, also around 30 cents sharper. While the 12th fret of all the strings is reasonably good. I know this is some kind of common issue with the guitar, but is there any good ideas to adjust it?

Oh, almost forgot: What is the recommended gauge of the string? I searched through the internet but simply can not find this information.


Thanks in advance.

Hi littlelio,
Please contact me at 714-532-6655 or by email:

patpark AT praxismusical DOT com

and I can go over some set up specs and help with your guitar.
Thanks
Pat

 

[littlelio]

Thanks Pat!

Yesterday I just realized that there is a setup guide section on the Sterling by Musicman official website. So I did some adjustment:

• Neck Relief
• Action
• Pickup Height

The final action is slightly higher than the specification, and there is some tiny buzz but I think it should be okay.

I feel that the nut is a bit high, which may be the cause of sharper pitch for neck frets, but there is no shim under the metal nut. So I live with it.

What I did to balance the sharper neck frets, was set the G string first, and tune B and high E to it. Then tune D, A, low E a tiny bit lower than standard. The low E was slightly flatter than the difference between the D and A. (By the way I learned this from Eric Johnson's tutorial)

The result is quite good! although the open chords are slightly off: C, G and D is okay, but E is a little funny. After some further tuning, I think I am happy with it!

AX40 is not Axis, but the quality of this guitar is quite good. You can feel the vibration across whole wooden body when picking the string . Both clean and distorted voice are quite good.

Now the only shame is the nut, if there is any good suggestions please let me know!

Thank you very much anyway!


Leon

 

[Stratty316]

Great job on the set up, but have you emailed Pat yet?

 

[littlelio]

Oh, I haven't... because I don't want to bother him so I struggled to fix the problem myself.

 

[RonJ5150]

My AX40 trem would not return to center. I found a nick in one of the knife edges - Ouch! It was also set all the way back to the body, not level.

I planned on replacing the Trem anyway before buying it - did today, an Original Floyd). The feel is much different now with the OFR. Also, I used 42-9s slinkys.

The Sterling LFR is good but when your playing other guitars with Originals, you feel the difference.

 

[RonJ5150]

Its the nut....replace it with a Floyd R2 nut from Guitar Parts Depot. $20 and an hr of work.

Why? The v grooves are to wide and the string doesn't settle in properly. Rasing the action only reduces the buzz and impacts playability.

 

[peterd79]

Welcome to the forum!

Though it's good to learn how to do a basic set up... i would take the time to either email or call Pat. You will notice that the guys here on the forum and at EBMM and Sterling by Music Man are all about us and making sure that we continue to enjoy the products they put in our hands. If it doesn't feel right they want to know... so take the time and make the contact with Pat.

 

[nobozos]

Contrats on the Sterling.

For your tuning issue, tighten your spring claw about 3/4 of a turn.

For your open string buzzing, put your action back to where you want it, and re-position the string in the nut slot. Loosen the clamp, slide the string around in the slot until it doesn't buzz, tighten the clamp, and see if it goes away.