Problems with new build setup

[dglady]

I'm hoping someone may have run into this and resolved the problems I'm having with setting up my new Warmoth build.  Any suggestions would be appreciated. 
Configuration
Body:
--Warmoth Thinline Tele hollow  alder/maple
--contoured heel
--HSH rout
--Warmoth drilled for Hipshot fixed bridge
--strat neck pocket
--ferrels from Warmoth
--Hipshot fixed bridge .125
--PU's: PRAILs N/B; Rails M

Neck:
--Warmoth Tiltback Headstock neck,
-- SS6150 (Stainless) frets
--4 bolt
--Roasted maple/Rosewood
--24 3/4 conversion,
--black tusc nut,
--schaller mini locking tuners
--std thin profile
--Radius: 10-16" Compound

Neck and body ordered together.

Setup:
--Neck relief minimum
--Nut mods: none
--Fret mods: none
--Strings Fender 9/42

Problems:
--Even though action is low, saddles on bridge especially EAD strings, have to be set to maximum string length.  I cannot raise action a tiny bit more to totally eliminate buzz on high frets because bridge saddles can't be moved back further.
To me, it's as if the bridge is mounted a bit too far forward?

--The action at the nut is low enough that I've not modified any of the slots.
--Guitar goes out of tune playing basic chords.  String bends send it crazy out of tune.  Some strings end up sharp; some flat;  EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING
--I've put 'nut sauce' lube on the nut and bridge.
--I'm wondering if the strings and/or ferrels can be contributing to problem. 
--I'm concerned that the bridge is not a fit for the guitar body/neck combination.
This is my fourth Warmoth build and the setup has got me pulling my hair out.  Have never had this problem before.
I would greatly appreciate any insight you all may have.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Have you leveled/crowned/polished/dressed the frets yet?

 

[Verne Bunsen]

How is the neck pocket? If there is finish accumulated on the surface or shoulders of the pocket, it will throw off neck geometry and therefore action and intonation. I use self adhesive sandpaper on a machinists rule for the flat surfaces and on a dowel for the curved surfaces, using only inward motions to avoid catching the finish. These pictures are from a build I did a couple of years ago and are a good demonstration of what I’m talking about. The guitar was un-setup-able until I got the pocket cleaned up.

 

[Sovereign_13]

Maybe you covered this and I missed it, but is there a reason you can't raise the saddles using the grub screws?  As far as I understand, the longitudinal travel of the saddles is more for intonation than action adjustment... :icon_scratch:

Right?

 

[dmraco]

If your saddles are maxed out, does the neck have a back bow ( truss rod too tight)?/

 

[Cagey]

I'm with Tony. Sounds to me like it needs a proper neck setup. New necks are never perfect. They can't be, for a variety of good and valid reasons, so the manufacturers don't even try. That's not a Bad Thing; the reality is there are too many things they can't predict or account for, so it's true of all suppliers. Even some of the higher-end OEM guitars are usually pretty poor examples of what they're capable of, given the proper attention. This goes beyond the neck, too. You need to have the bridge and pickups tweaked to match the neck. A good setup usually isn't too expensive, and it's a necessary thing if you want to realize the full potential of the instrument.

If you don't have a trusted/competent setup guy, PM me. I know a guy who knows a guy... :icon_biggrin:

 

[Wolfie351]

Sometimes, those kind of issues can be something as simple as a bad set of strings or bad winds.  Even intonation can be affected by it, have you tried restringing it?  I know it hurts opening another package of brand-new strings, but sometimes the guitar gods demand a sacrifice. 

 

[mayfly]

Got any photos for us?  You know what they say - a pic is worth a thousand keyboard strokes...

 

[BigSteve22]

Got any photos for us?  You know what they say - a pic is worth a thousand keyboard strokes...

As I've also heard here: No pix? It didn't happen!  :icon_jokercolor:

 

[dglady]

Thank you all for your replies!  as a result of your replies, I've removed the neck.  I found a few areas in the body's neck pocket that were high from glued seams.  i've smoothed those areas down.  I've also discovered there are some high frets 3, 5 and also 11,13,15,20...this certainly could expiain the 'buzz' factor.  I will take care of these factors and then reattach the neck and try again.  I'm also trying GHS strings instead of Fender bullets.
I can see how the combination of these things could be causing or substantially contributing to the problem.
Thank you all again for your replies.  This is my 4th Warmoth build and the first time I've run into these issues.  The other three guitars play great without issue.
Thanks again.  Any other ideas, comments of course are welcome.