Question Morse Setup Specs?

[NewLukeGuy]

Hey all,
I brought my Morse into the local guitar tech last weekend for a setup. It has been buzzing on the A string starting on about the the 3rd or 4th fret. I don't hear it playing through the amp; just unplugged.

This is a guitar that I acquired off the bay so it hasn't been setup since I've owned it 6 months.

I told the tech I wanted the fret buzz out but that I like the action as low as I can have with out the buzz.

To make a long story short he adjusted the neck for proper relief, noticed that the bridge had been reinstalled at some point backwards so he flipped it around, adjusted the bridge height, intonation set. I've got 1/16" action at the 12th fret which is a pretty standard setup, right? And the darned thing still buzzes.

I checked fret heights myself this week with cabinet scrapers I have and couldn't find any obvious high spots.

Looking for advice on what to do. I guess the obvious thing is raise the bridge height on the low strings to get it to stop buzzing. I should be able to have my action at 1/16 with no buzz I would think. BTW the guitar is an 06 manufacture.

 

[beej]

Generally speaking, if it's buzzing on the low frets the neck usually needs a bit more relief (loosen the truss rod a tad). If it's buzzing on the higher frets, the saddle height raised. Now you're almost always going to get some buzz if you keep the action too low ... that's just a tradeoff. But w/o seeing the guitar, it's impossible to say. Could have a fret that needs dressing, etc.

Btw, are you sure the bridge was the wrong way? The intonation screws face towards the strings, not the back of the guitar.

All of this said ... if you're not happy with the work your tech did, take it back to him and get him to do a better job. Failing that, I'd look for a better tech.

Btw, you can always send it back to EBMM for a setup ... they do the best work (seriously) and their rates are really low.

 

[Headstock]

I echo what beej says, if you want to know its done right, the best option out there is to contact customer service and get it to them to repair. Quite reasonable rates and the piece of mind that they know exactly how the guitar should be .

 

[tommyindelaware]

how far are you from wilmington ???

 

[NewLukeGuy]

Tommy,
I live 10 minutes up 202 from the border.
Mike

 

[beej]

Wow, well if you can hook up with Tommy when he's off tour ... that would be certainly be your best bet.

 

[Headstock]

Sweet - how cool is this forum? Not sure if you're aware Mike, but Tommy is Morse's guitar tech so he knows a thing or two about how to set them up

 

[NewLukeGuy]

r u kidding me??!! - Tommy is Morse's guitar tech? OMG I had absolutely no idea.

Well it goes without saying that I would look forward to meet up with you Tommy whenever your schedule would permit. Feel free to PM me or I can do the same for you.

This forum is a special place isn't it?

 

[tommyindelaware]

i will be home for about 12 days june 13 ish.......i will be happy to look at yer geetar if u can catch one of the few holes i will have after i get home. pop me an email and i'll give ya my cell. your about 20-30 mins from me depending on 202 traffic.

[email protected]

 

[shredhed]

I love this place.

 

[NewLukeGuy]

Btw, are you sure the bridge was the wrong way? The intonation screws face towards the strings, not the back of the guitar.

Beej,
Yeah it was positioned such that the intonation screws faced away from the fretboard (back of the guitar). We got that one straightened out.

 

[fbecir]

Btw, are you sure the bridge was the wrong way? The intonation screws face towards the strings, not the back of the guitar.

Beej,
Yeah it was positioned such that the intonation screws faced away from the fretboard (back of the guitar). We got that one straightened out.

I am not sure I understand well (I'm French ...) but the screws have to look at the back of the guitar. Like that :

 

[Spudmurphy]

isn't this forum amazing

Q . "Can someone help me set up my Steve Morse guitar?"

A. "Yes, I set up Steve Morses (Steve Morse) guitar on tour and I live 20 minutes from you"

... it's kinda surreal!!

 

[NewLukeGuy]

fbecir,
Yes, I understand and your picture shows what it should be like. The nimrod who had the guitar before me had it flipped the other way around. Woops.....

 

[NewLukeGuy]

isn't this forum amazing

Q . "Can someone help me set up my Steve Morse guitar?"

A. "Yes, I set up Steve Morses (Steve Morse) guitar on tour and I live 20 minutes from you"

... it's kinda surreal!!

No doubt about it. Isn't it amazing. I knew of tommyindelaware on this forum just from reading and the occaisional reply. Had no freaking idea he was Steve's guitar tech and he lives 20 minutes from me. Surreal indeed.....

 

[tommyindelaware]

pete..or beej.......or somebody.........please warn this guy how expensive i am !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Colin]

This is one lucky guy Tommy it's great you can get home for a bit

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

The only thing left in your wallet will be a moth, unless Tommy takes that, too!!!!!!!!


Actually, I am more than sure Tommy will take care of you, he's just that type of guy.

 

[NewLukeGuy]

worth every penny I'm sure.....

 

[bazxkr]

If you are real lucky Mike he might bring his mate Steve along. Now that would be worth emptying your wallet for .......sell tickets and we can watch em jam !!

Guess Tommy would have to be the most experienced Morse guitar specialist around...... bet there is some stories there to fill a book haha

Top marks to Tommy for offering to help with what must be very small windows in his schedule. Top guy.


Cheers

Baz