Setup question for Jon

[Pundix]

Here goes:

I have a Silhouette Special that I've been trying lately to get into shape to be my primary guitar. When I manage to get the action where I want it (fairly low) the guitar was buzzing. I solved the lower fret buzzes by giving a bit more relief with the truss rod adjustment, however I'm not getting muted strings on the upper frets (from about 10 - 12 on up. Am I just going for too low an action, or am I missing something? I never seemed to have this problem with the Silhouettes I've had in the past or with the other Silhouette Special I've owned.

Advice?

Thanks in advance...

 

[jongitarz]

Here goes:

I'm not getting muted strings on the upper frets (from about 10 - 12 on up. Am I just going for too low an action, or am I missing something?


Not sure what you mean here, but you could be trying to go too low. It's hard to say anything without seeing the guitar, but a good rule of thumb is, if its buzzing in the lower fret area-more relief. If it buzzes in the upper fret area less relief and raise the saddles.

 

[Pundix]

Here goes:

I'm not getting muted strings on the upper frets (from about 10 - 12 on up. Am I just going for too low an action, or am I missing something?


Not sure what you mean here, but you could be trying to go too low. It's hard to say anything without seeing the guitar, but a good rule of thumb is, if its buzzing in the lower fret area-more relief. If it buzzes in the upper fret area less relief and raise the saddles.

Oops. I meant to say I am getting muted strings on the upper frets. I did raise the saddles a little and got rid of the muted sound, I was just hoping it could go a bit lower.

 

[jongitarz]

did you try tightening the truss rod a bit, before raising the saddles?

 

[Pundix]

did you try tightening the truss rod a bit, before raising the saddles?

I did, which put a few buzzes back in the lower frets. I finally just gave it a touch more relief and raised the saddles a turn or two and it solved the buzz, the muted upper frets and fretting out on upper bends. Don't get me wrong, the action is higher than my normal preference, but is by no means too high to be playable or comfortable. I was just hoping for a little bit lower, but I don't think that's going to happen without probably dressing down the upper frets. Somehow, that seems extreme for a setup.

 

[jongitarz]

Sometimes in order to get the action really low you have to do a really detailed fret job. I had a PRS Custom 24 that I had to do 3 fret jobs to in order for the action to be where I wanted it at the time (about 1/32 at the 12th fret).

Every MM I have owned was ready for that kind of action right from the factory..

 

[Raz]

Every MM I have owned was ready for that kind of action right from the factory..

AMEN!

 

[jongitarz]

Please keep in mind that I am in no way putting PRS down. I think they make great guitars

 

[phatduckk]

Please keep in mind that I am in no way putting PRS down. I think they make great guitars

+1

 

[jazzbo jim]

Please keep in mind that I am in no way putting PRS down. I think they make great guitars

Agreed!
I had a chance to play a few recently and they were most impressive..BUT..they also cost a TON of cash.
Definitely not the same bang for buck as EBMM.