What might be the problem?

[entrasticemperor]

Guys,

I recently purchased an Ibanez S520EX from Sweelee during the weekend sale (Actual price in US: 600USD with free shipping, Usual Price in Sweelee: 2000 SGD with 50% off). After a week, I noticed that the 12, 13 and 14th fret ( if I remember correctly) of the 1st E string (thinnest string) was buzzing. Well, I dunno if 'buzzing' is the right word, but the sound was not coming out and it sounded as if the string was hitting somewhere else rather than ringing.. i hope you get the idea.. The frets before and after these three frets are ok and sounds fine

Since I had no choice, I took it to Sweelee service centre. The old uncle there told me (after asking him a million times and putting together his one syllable answers) that its a set up problem.

Now, I think it is strange that this is a setup problem. It the action is too low that the strings are hitting the pickups (or where ever), wouldnt the fret after the 14th also sound the same? I mean, logically, if the action is too low or too high, the faulty sound should start from one fret and continue all the way up or down the neck right?

Logically, I feel like the only way only three frets are buzzing is if the guitar has an uneven neck? Is sweelee lying to me? Its a one week old guitar.. if its a neck issue, I want a replacement or refund.. Do you think I have enough case here..

I left it at sweelee for them to do the right setup for me.. Now I am scared he is gonna raise the entire action really high to avoid this issue.. This is gonna kill the feel of the guitar..

Any advice would be deeply appreciated.

 

[Junior_]

I don't think its anything serious. It could be a dead "fret/spot" issue which can be resolved. I used to have this issue one my first guitar where the note sounds muted and does not ring only at a particular fret.

I think it can be resolved by filing the uneven fret/s down if I'm not wrong or at least that was what I was told when I sent my guitar down to the shop back then. =D Hope it answers your worry.

 

[entrasticemperor]

I think it can be resolved by filing the uneven fret/s down if I'm not wrong

What do you mean by filing? Is it like smoothening using a sand paper or something? sorry if thats a stupid question..

If something has to be done to the neck of the guitar, dont i have enough case to ask for a replacement since its only a week old guitar?

 

[Junior_]

Filing means using a file to file down the particular fret-wire that is causing the dead spot. Sometimes, its because the fret wire used is too high.

This is not a major issue which requires changing the neck but rather just on the fret wire itself. As for asking for a replacement, I don't think you have enough case to ask for a replacement unless the neck is warped when it was taken out of the box =D In your case, this was probably a case of bad QC at the factory where the fret-wires were not fitted properly or not filed properly, but both of which can be easily resolved by SL.

SO... I don't think you have a case to ask an exchange unless, the guitar is really damaged right from the start. Even so, it would boil down to not properly checking your guitar before paying for it. What you can do though is to request that the setup be done for free instead.

FYI, brand new guitars bought from a shop would require a setup before it will play like a dream. Even old guitars that have been used require a setup once in awhile due to the humidity here in Singapore. Just my two cents worth. =D

 

[entrasticemperor]

I purchased it during the year end sale, so they didnt allow me to test it in the shop.. even if I had tested it, I dont know what the chances are that I would have hit those frets.

Either way, thanks for the feedback.. I guess I have no choice but to wait for them to give my guitar back..

And thanks for the advice on setups.. I am aware of this.. I was any way gonna get sweelee to do a proper check for me.. this just happened in between..

Any other feedback guys?

 

[Dav_C]

Most of the time, they just adjust the truss rod, then the saddle.

Filing down the frets or nut are more invasive.

It also has to do with your playing style, if you pick very hard you'll better off with thicker strings then jumbo frets and higher action. And for electric guitars usually you can adjust the pickup height too (need to balance the 3 of them) etc.

 

[Jumpin'Jellybean]

Hmm. Send it down for a proper setup if you can afford it. If you can't, then... Yeah, i think it's probably fret-filing since only a few frets are affected.

 

[lazy3yed]

To properly file down frets, you need proper tools that'll allow you to keep the profile of the crown, otherwise your intonation will be affected. Just send it to a tech guy and let him fix it for you.

 

[entrasticemperor]

Hmm. Send it down for a proper setup if you can afford it.

when I bought the guitar, sweelee told me that they will do a proper set up for me for free..Before I could get it done, this problem happened, so now the guitar is with sweelee's technician..

Should I need to specify to him that I need a proper set up or will he do it since this is a set up issue (as per him).

 

[Jumpin'Jellybean]

Hmm, is refretting a setup thing? I'm not sure, sorry. I only know they check for intonation and the action, and also cleaning the fretboard. But refretting must pay extra i think. I thought i had this problem too. Turns out i just couldn't press that part hard enough! The rest i could. I think the wood there was slightly scalloped... Did you try pressing really hard?

 

[entrasticemperor]

Did you try pressing really hard?

I believe I did

 

[theunknown]

I believe it's uneven fret. Do check with a guitar tech. Maybe just a consultation won't cost you anything.

 

[Tetragrammaton]

Most of the time, they just adjust the truss rod, then the saddle.

Filing down the frets or nut are more invasive.

It also has to do with your playing style, if you pick very hard you'll better off with thicker strings then jumbo frets and higher action. And for electric guitars usually you can adjust the pickup height too (need to balance the 3 of them) etc.

Yes...agreeable! Normally, they won't do filing down your frets. And you're buying a high end guitar which don't normally have such problems with the wires on the fret. Adjusting your truss rod could give you a balance neck alignment with the strings and then the saddle.

 

[donutator]

SL will not give u an exchange or refund if the problem is in the wood. The warranty is only on electronics.

 

[celahircelebrindal]

How have you got the guitar back from SL and how is it now?Dont forget to ask what was done to your guitar and test it there and then.....

 

[entrasticemperor]

How have you got the guitar back from SL and how is it now?Dont forget to ask what was done to your guitar and test it there and then.....

Actually I just went and collected it today...

Now guys, this is a turn of events..

I got a call from SL two days back.. They said they fixed my guitar..They didnt go into the details of what they did, but it sounded as if it was just adjusting the action and all the usual stuff.. They said they need a day more as they are trying to find the right gauge strings ( i asked for a 09-42 and they only had 09-46 in stock).. Either way, the amazing part is that the old uncle came on the phone and patiently explained to me about what the problem was ( i didnt understand a whole lot of it, but it was still abt the action being too low). To my surprise, he also said something about how he was busy on the day I went down to give the guitar and even though he didnt say it, it sounded like an apology for being rude on the first day..

Today, when I went down, he was really pleasant and the whole experience was very positive.. I dunno whether this change has anything to do with this thread.. but still, its nice to know that he has an approachable side..And tested the guitar, it felt nice.. i was worried he wud raise my action too high, but he apparently didnt...

 

[celahircelebrindal]

he was really pleasant and the whole experience was very positive...

Good for ya bro and hopefully the service standard of Swee Lee stays this way or they'll end up losing out on more then they think...

 

[fgl]

12, 13, 14 fret ? Sound s like a convex neck angle? Prolly loosen truss rod ..doubt they did any fret dress ...