JPX Fretting Out

[imgarrett]

So I have recently acquired a very mint jpx and am having problems with the G string fretting out. As well as some other strings touching the frets past my fretting hand killing the sustain and what not. This problem wasn't entirely existant in standard tuning until tuning down. Although higher up on the frets in standard the string wouldn't sustain as long and looks as if the string is touching the frets after my finger.

The g string frets out around 13-15 or past in standard and drop c it frets out around 4-5. So would this just be a case of low action?

I also don't like how loose my low e gets when in c, if I wanted it to be tighter would I have to go a string gauge up?

 

[WillyD]

hello! thanks for playing Music Man. It sounds like a setup issue. Higher gauge would help when tuning down, you will need to have it set up for heavier strings since the nut was slotted for the strings that are on it. A local tech should be able to get you sorted. If not you have the option of sending it to our factory. Please e-mail me if you have any questions: [email protected]

 

[Razzle]

How low is your action?
I have a JPX and found the neck is very sensitive to setup, in particular how the neck changes in different temperatures. The thing will set up with killer low action, but I find myself tweaking the truss rod just a bit (along with the bridge height as necessary) to get it back to play right.

In your case, if it were me, hearing buzzing at the higher frets suggests it has a slight bow. In this case I would rotate the truss bar adjustment downward which will force the headstock down. I adjust this until I get what is basically a flat fretboard (very little relief), then set the bridge height to minimize buzzing.

Good luck

 

[beej]

Yes, you'll need to adjust your truss rod if you detune, or go to heavier strings (to keep the same amount of tension).

Back off on the rod slightly, as you'll need less force to counter the string tension. If you get too much buzzing in the lower strings you'll need more relief.

 

[beej]

Yes, you'll need to adjust your truss rod if you detune, or go to heavier strings (to keep the same amount of tension).

Back off on the rod slightly, as you'll need less force to counter the string tension. If you get too much buzzing in the lower strings you'll need more relief.

Razzle- there shouldn't be any reason to adjust the saddle heights if they were fine before. Once the relief has been adjusted, the string heights should be the same.

 

[Lou]

Yup. If you are tuning down, means probably increasing string gauge. Nut slots will not cooperate as is. ComPlete set up is in order.

 

[imgarrett]

I've never personally setup a guitar myself before, I'm kind of scared messing with the truss rod adjustment. I might consider sending it in then possibly.

If the nut slots were to be slotted down for a heavier gauge would I be stuck using that heavier gauge? I'm guessing if I was to go back to the original gauge after slotted there would be some movement in the nut slot cause of the extra room?

 

[Spudmurphy]

Good advice above.

The only "Caveat" I would make is that some think that the truss rod is designed to lower action and that is not it's prime function. Action of course having an effect on string buzz.

Care and attention needs to be directed to saddle and nut slot height - which are the adjustments that in the main govern Action height. The truss rod adjustment when looking at action is akin to "fine tunning".
I would say if you are not confident take it to a good "guitar man" - one with a good reputation and he will sort you out quickly and hopefully at a good price.

 

[imgarrett]

Thanks for the replies guys! I've decided to send it to someone who know's what they're doing. Maybe next time if this ever occurs on one of my other not so expensive guitars I'll give it a shot.

 

[DrKev]

You can't break your guitar with a setup and it's not too difficult to learn. It's a guitar, not rocket science. Buy one of Dan Erlewine's books, engineers rule, feeler gauges, a set of screw drivers and some allen keys and you are good to go. If anything, a high quality instrument makes set ups easier because you are starting with a nut at the correct height and excellent fret work. And the Music Man truss rod adjuster makes life SO easy!