string action

[frozenfruitsalad]

is it normal for the action to gradually increase as the frets go higher? Or is it possible to keep the action constant throughout the neck. I was able to do that with my ibanez but with my fender it gets higher at the higher frets.

 

[EugeneSmasher]

Is the guitar neck straight? Because it might be due to warping. Even minor barely-noticeable warping can cause action to increase quite a bit. If the neck is straight, then the action has to also be adjusted at the bridge as well.

You can check your bridge too, if it's a tremolo. Is it floating at a rather sharp angle? Because if so, you should balance it out by changing the springs at the back.

And make sure you use the same gauge strings consistently. Hope this helps!

 

[Hydrofly]

Is the guitar neck straight? Because it might be due to warping. Even minor barely-noticeable warping can cause action to increase quite a bit. If the neck is straight, then the action has to also be adjusted at the bridge as well.

Yea, check the straightness of the neck, it should be as straight as a beam of light.

You can check your bridge too, if it's a tremolo. Is it floating at a rather sharp angle? Because if so, you should balance it out by changing the springs at the back.

Don't change out the springs, tighten/loosen

 

[frozenfruitsalad]

the neck is rather straight. i checked it according to the fender manual. but the screws on the bridge refuse to budge. I guess i'll bring it to a guitar tech. anyway thanks for the help =)

 

[Whitestrat]

but the screws on the bridge refuse to budge.

Screws on the bridge? or the allen-key screws on the saddles? Which is it?

BTW, it's nomal for the action to increase. That depends on how deep the nut was slotted and the height of your saddles.

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

It's possible to set up a guitar to have strings very parallel to the guitar's neck. The height of the nut and the depth of the slots plays a very big part in determining this. If its too low, i.e. same height as a metal fret, It's hard to make the strings parallel to the neck without fret buzzing.

Assuming the frets are totally leveled and they are in line, the hardest part in setting up a guitar like this is the adjustment of string height on the nut. For saddles, they can be screwed up and down =D

 

[frozenfruitsalad]

the two big screws at the side of the bridge. i adjusted action with saddles, but still not even.. now the g on the 12th fret get choked when i pick it hard.

 

[Whitestrat]

the two big screws at the side of the bridge. i adjusted action with saddles, but still not even.. now the g on the 12th fret get choked when i pick it hard.

Sounds like a swell at the block. very common. (basket.. I'm beginning to sound like a doctor) bring this guitar for a set up...

P.S. you're not meant to adjust the 2 trem posts. It's not an Ibanez FR. Adjust ONLY the saddles.