Guitar setup help

[warmothmjm]

I am setting up my first Warmoth guitar(Stratocaster)

- I have performed the test on the trust rod and it looks pretty good
- I believe I have the bridge set at the correct height

I am getting buzz from the first fret on the low strings and the G,B,E strings actually ring as G#,C,F.  I think this is because the Floyd Rose nut is sitting too low or that the 1st fret is too high.  Is this the correct assessment of the problem? How do you recommend I fix it?

Thanks

 

[AutoBat]

What is your neck radius? (7.25, 8, 9, etc or 10-16 compound)
Have you checked with a capo on the first fret to narrow it down to just the 1st fret?

It could be a high fret, or you may need to shim your bridge saddles to compensate for the radius change.

 

[warmothmjm]

It is a 10-16 compound
I'llcheck the other frets with a capo as you suggest
If I need to shim it would need to be pretty thin. What material would you suggest and where would I get it?
Thanks again

 

[Cagey]

Just out of curiosity I stabbed an aluminum beer can with a pair of bog-standard cheapie scissors...

...cut out about a 1" piece to play with, and it measures about .002" thick. So, if it was me, that's probably what I'd be looking at using.

 

[warmothmjm]

Thanks!

 

[drewfx]

Just out of curiosity I stabbed an aluminum beer can with a pair of bog-standard cheapie scissors...

So you like to drink beer and stab things with scissors "out of curiosity"?

I'll keep that in mind.  :icon_biggrin:

 

[Cagey]

So you like to drink beer and stab things with scissors "out of curiosity"? 

Doesn't everybody? I mean, you know, as long as it doesn't interfere with biting the heads off kittens or yanking out puppy claws with vise grips. Priorities are important <grin>

Seriously, though, he asked, so I did an experiment. Got us both smarter as a result.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

May just need a fret level. 

 

[Alfang]

Don't go to the fret level so fast, most warmoth necks don't need it, and by most I mean all of the 8 I have bought were perfect.

Follow cagey's advice and shim the nut. or double check your truss rod ajdustment, I like mine flat straight.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

3 of my 5 have had it, and the 4th needs it. 

 

[Cagey]

That's been my experience as well. Sometimes they're perfect, other times, not so much. But, if they're not perfect they're at least usably close. This last one I got is a perfect one. I adjusted it to flat, and can't get a .001" feeler in anywhere. So, I'll just dress/polish the ends, allow a few thou relief, and call it a love story.

 

[stubhead]

the old beer cans sound better

 

[warmothmjm]

Thanks for the input.  I found a small thin metal washer, instead of cutting up the beer can, and put the nut screw through it between the Floyd Rose nut and the neck on the low side.  This worked great.  I had to lower the bridge a tiny amount to get the action correct down the neck again.