Question about JP12 setup

[rhettro]

First, I'm glad to have my first ball.

GC tossed a pack of 10-52s on for me since that's usually what I prefer on my other guitars. I play mostly metal with lots of boring chugging on the low E. I had them tune it to E flat.

However, the action is not good at all and it's frustrating. I guess the guitar really needed much more of a setup when they put the strings on since the gauge changed. After complaining about the bridge leaning too far, they tightened the screws to get things balanced with the new strings. I think more work was needed.

I'm assuming that since the strings bumped up to a heavier gauge, the saddles likely need to be adjusted to compensate. If I make truss rod adjustments only, the first couple of low strings start buzzing when I start getting close to having the action low enough for the high strings.

I really want to learn to do this setup stuff myself without taking it to a "pro". I thought about putting 10-46s back on (original strings) to make sure everything is ok with the way the guitar was setup at the factory.

Any advice?

 

[Lou]

Order of operations:

Get trem level
set neck relief (truss rod)
set action (saddles)
intonate

 

[DrKev]

Fret buzz on higher frets (15th or above) raise the saddles. Fret buzz on lower frets, loosen truss rod (turn to the left, see image in my profile). Some fret buzz is unavoidable at low action. Don't chase perfection. Remember, Petrucci lives with significant fret buzz with such insanely low action.

 

[rhettro]

Thanks for the feedback! The problem is the E and A strings buzz pretty much up the neck while the higher strings are still a bit high and not close to buzzing.

 

[straycat113]

You need a set up, for now I would just take it to a local pro and have it set up correctly so you can enjoy the guitar. Yes you should learn to do a set up but I would not recommend experimenting on a top shelf ax.