Axis fret buzz

[Rod]

I recently picked up a very sweet purple Axis with a crazy birds-eye neck. The is my first Music Man guitar and now I wonder why I've waited so long. Anyway, the action was set a little high for my liking so I lowered it. By doing so I notice that fretting strings around the 15th fret down to the 22nd started buzzing a lot. It's almost like the string is laying on the frets when fretted. I have a strat that has very low action and don't have this problem. So, I'm wondering what's going on. I've made a slight adjustment on the truss rod but that didn't help the buzzing. I started looking at where the neck attaches to the body and I can see a very thin metal looking piece of material between the neck and body. I don't know if this is a shim or what.

Any ideas? I love this guitar and I'm hoping to be able to correct this problem.

 

[tommyindelaware]

IF... the action is where u like it before the the 15th fret.....& its only buzzing above the14th fret....raise the bridge til the buzz goes away....then righty tighty the truss rod a little more to taste.
also ..any shim ebmm would have used would not be metal....nor would u be able to see it w/ the neck on the body.

I recently picked up a very sweet purple Axis with a crazy birds-eye neck. The is my first Music Man guitar and now I wonder why I've waited so long. Anyway, the action was set a little high for my liking so I lowered it. By doing so I notice that fretting strings around the 15th fret down to the 22nd started buzzing a lot. It's almost like the string is laying on the frets when fretted. I have a strat that has very low action and don't have this problem. So, I'm wondering what's going on. I've made a slight adjustment on the truss rod but that didn't help the buzzing. I started looking at where the neck attaches to the body and I can see a very thin metal looking piece of material between the neck and body. I don't know if this is a shim or what.

Any ideas? I love this guitar and I'm hoping to be able to correct this problem.

 

[Rod]

The action is close to where I'd like it but not there yet. I did notice when adjusting (righty tighty) the truss rod that the adjustment went easy for about a half a turn so maybe it was loose? I'm now thinking it must be the truss rod. I would think the procedures the same as it would be for a strat...does anyone have a link?

I'm going see if I can get a picture of what I'm seeing between the neck and body and post it.

Thanks.

 

[roburado]

Scroll down about halfway through the FAQ at this URL: http://www.ernieball.com/faq_content.php?subjectcode=mm_guitars

If the truss rod wheel seems tight, and you're kind of scared of turning it further, well...just go ahead and turn it. It's scary, but you won't break it.

 

[tommyindelaware]

just do what i told ya boy.....

 

[candid_x]

The action is close to where I'd like it but not there yet. I did notice when adjusting (righty tighty) the truss rod that the adjustment went easy for about a half a turn so maybe it was loose? I'm now thinking it must be the truss rod. I would think the procedures the same as it would be for a strat...does anyone have a link?

No, but I do have the EB-setup guru's quote:

"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."

As Tommy has also said, sorta.

 

[jongitarz]

It sounds like someone changed/added shims on the guitar. If you cant get the action low enough with the truss rod, shimming the neck would be the next step.

 

[candid_x]

Jon or Tommy, what material do you recommend for shims? And, is there any compromise in transference/tone? Also, does it need to be cut precisely to the size of the pocket?

 

[tommyindelaware]

a very thin piece of plastic.
here's a cellphone shot of jon's shims. bear in mind..this shim is only .015" thick. a little will be all u need. & u don't have to fill the whole neck pocket.

Jon or Tommy, what material do you recommend for shims? And, is there any compromise in transference/tone? Also, does it need to be cut precisely to the size of the pocket?

 

[candid_x]

Ah, I see...

Thanks, Tommy.

 

[candid_x]

That's only half the thickness of a credit card. hmm

Both of my silos have very good action, but one is absolutely perfect, while I've been unable to get the other one very low with zero buzz. Wondering if shimming might do it. Anyone know if shims can be ordered from EB?

 

[tommyindelaware]

That's only half the thickness of a credit card. hmm

Both of my silos have very good action, but one is absolutely perfect, while I've been unable to get the other one very low with zero buzz. Wondering if shimming might do it. Anyone know if shims can be ordered from EB?

if you can get the action low enough to buzz in the upper register...then you don't need a shim.

 

[candid_x]

I gotcha. ty

 

[Rod]

Ok, I'm finally getting a chance to work on my guitar. I've followed the FAQ (http://www.ernieball.com/faq_content.php?subjectcode=mm_guitars) and have adjusted the truss rod. If I fret the 6th string between the 2nd and 12th fret (as the FAQ says) the 6th string has almost no clearance at the 6th fret. I'm still getting a lot of buzz between the 12th and 22nd fret...and starting to get some around the 5th fret. So I believe going tighter (righty) on the truss rod will only lower the 6th string more on the fret board.

Here is a picture of the neck and what appears to be a shim.

 

[tommyindelaware]

welome to the outer limits
the guitar needs a pro to look at it. dianostic to complicated to do w/out being on the bench. w/ a shim like that someone has taken that guitar into the twilight zone.

 

[Rod]

Thanks Tommy...at least that confirms my suspicions. Next step is to find a pro to look at it. Do you know of anyone in the Philadelphia area or just north of Philly?

 

[tommyindelaware]

nick bucci is about 15 minutes below the philly airport.
Guitar Repairs and Restoration and Custom Instruments by Nick Bucci in Delaware at Bucci Guitars
he's a master. he's also a KILLER painter and vintage restoration. (plays his ass off too)
i'm about 30 minutes below the airport.

 

[Quarter]

Dude ... its your lucky day! .. Take it to Tommy!

 

[mbgreene]

Dude ... its your lucky day! .. Take it to Tommy!

+ infinity

 

[Rod]

It does appear to be my lucky day! I could use some luck right now.

Tommy, I'll reach out to Nick...unless you're interested?