Single fret buzz - fix or return?

[ablezebra]

Hey guys, I need to tap into your infinite wisdom:

So Ive been noticing lately that my Epi LP Standard has a pretty bad buzz on the 14th fret on a couple of the strings, and the odd other fret higher up. I'm getting icnreasingly annoyed with this, because I can hear/feel it even over my amp. I've ruled out the action being too low as the cause because it is already quite high, and even though the 14th buzzes, the 15th is perfect.

Let me add that the 14th clearly buzzes because it is making contact with the 15th fret. based on what I've read this is probably caused by the frets being a bit uneven in some fashion (Let me know if anyone thinks differently).

I checked the neck, and I'm not a guitar tech but I think it looks great, and it's pretty much dead straight with a tiny touch of relief.

I bought this particular guitar about 2 weeks ago, so hypothetically I could still return it - I believe it's a 30 day return period. But of course in those 2 weeks I've grown a bit attached to it.

So my questions to all of you are:

A) How much approximately would this cost to fix, at your average big-chain guitar shop

B)Would I be better off just returning it and finding something without this sort of problem? If I exchange it I'm going to consider saving up a bit to get a Gibson Studio or something.

Thanks!

[ninny404]

seems like a truss rod adjustment. i do my adjusting on my own guitars so i'm not sure on pricing... maybe $50?

i wouldn't return it for that because (mostly on floor models) it's usually a given on cheaper guitars. i just recommend having someone check it out, especially since you've grown attached.

[Roman Rist]

You need a fret dress and set up.
find a private luthier, do not go to a big chain.

Fret dress and set up can run you anywhere between 75 to 150 bucks.

Roman

[ablezebra]

Originally Posted by ninny404

seems like a truss rod adjustment. i do my adjusting on my own guitars so i'm not sure on pricing... maybe $50?

My concern though is that it occurs only on certain isolated frets.
Fret 14 on the A string is the worst, but frets 13 and 15 on the A string are perfect. Also fret 14 on the low E and and D strings are quite a bit better. Can this be solved with a truss rod adjustment?

I'm mainly basing my guess of an uneven fret on this site (Guitar Fret Buzz -Finding & Fixing Buzzes - What Causes Fret Buzz & How to Fix), but if the people here think a simple adjustment can fix it, then I'm game.

[diceman]

Obviously, go with RFR/Roman's advice - he's a real (true) pro.

But

You might just want to do the exchange if you don't want to pay the $75-150...

[Roman Rist]

Originally Posted by ablezebra

if the people here think a simple adjustment can fix it, then I'm game.

It occurs because you have high frets. Period.

A neck adjust takes care of fret buzz closer to the nut, but it will not help you in this case.

Maybe some of the offending frets need to be seated better, but you still need a fret dress.

Brand new guitars that are "high end" need this service often times as well so don't feel bad.

[ablezebra]

Originally Posted by RFR

You need a fret dress and set up.
find a private luthier, do not go to a big chain.

Fret dress and set up can run you anywhere between 75 to 150 bucks.

Roman

I hope I can find a local place around here, but it's slim pickings.
If it's going to get up to $150 then I'm going to have to seriously consider returning her... tough call, she plays nice otherwise...

Well, thanks Roman, good to know for sure what's going on. I've got another two weeks to think about it I suppose.

[Roman Rist]

There has to be someone near you (within an hour).
If you are in a smaller town, prices tend to be cheaper.

[ablezebra]

Originally Posted by RFR

There has to be someone near you (within an hour).
If you are in a smaller town, prices tend to be cheaper.

Well, I'm in a reasonable size city (pop ~ 100 000) so I guess there will be someone, I will look in to it. Of course, as a poor university student without a car, driving an hour isn't an option, in any direction.

I'll try and get a quote on having it fixed but I can't justify sinking another $150 into it within the return period.

Oh, how I wish I had tried to play that one particular fret when I was testing it out in the store!

[Roman Rist]

If you love the guitar, fix it, if you don't return it.
cheers,
Roman

[diceman]

The store should fix it for free! Just take it back there - tell them that they need to either fix it or exchange it - odds are they'll fix it right up at no cost, rather than take it back and sell it as a used item!!

[ninny404]

Originally Posted by diceman

The store should fix it for free! Just take it back there - tell them that they need to either fix it or exchange it - odds are they'll fix it right up at no cost, rather than take it back and sell it as a used item!!

good point

[inxs996]

Originally Posted by RFR

You need a fret dress and set up.
find a private luthier, do not go to a big chain.

Fret dress and set up can run you anywhere between 75 to 150 bucks.

Roman

I second that, DO NOT GO TO A CHAIN TYPE STORE, i.e. Guitar Center

[Scooter2112]

I had the same thing happen on a cheap ($150) used acoustic-electric that I bought in a small guitar shop. Sounded great in the store, until I got it home and put a tuner to it. Every string was tuned 1/2 step sharp (which told me that someone knew something was wrong). When I got it to standard tuning, everything above the 12th fret on the high E string was buzzing and toneless.

I tried adjusting the truss rod, but it didn't completely go away. So I got online and read some articles on dressing frets and did it myself, which wasn't that difficult and it worked out. If it were a Gibson, or even an Epi, I wouldn't have attempted it myself, but I learned something in the process.

Taking the strings off and putting a straight edge to it (allowing for any neck relief) might help you identify the problem fret that is seriously out of line. Crowning is a separate issue that I didn't bother to tackle.

-"Hey...every brain surgeon had a FIRST brain surgery"

[ablezebra]

Getting the store to fix it free sounds like the best first thing to try, thanks.
If they refuse to fix it, I'll go from there - part of me really wants to keep this one, part of me wants a good excuse to buy a Gibson.

P.S. I got it at Long & McQuade (Canada)

[ablezebra]

Actually, if no one minds, one more follow-up question:

Do you think this type of problem could be a precursor to more problems down the road? For example, is this an indicator of poor quality in some areas that might result in frets popping up in the future or other construction issues?

[ninny404]

Originally Posted by ablezebra

Actually, if no one minds, one more follow-up question:

Do you think this type of problem could be a precursor to more problems down the road? For example, is this an indicator of poor quality in some areas that might result in frets popping up in the future or other construction issues?

i doubt it, nothing i'd lose sleep about. that's just me though

[Roman Rist]

Most factory guitars need work. To answer your question, maybe , maybe not.

Keep in mind they make them QUICK! as in fast!

Factory instruments overseas are made by small asian women for the most part, not musicians.

Most are built pretty well, but not set up well.

To give you an idea, when I do a setup, it takes about 2 hours to do it all.

Fret dressing, nut height, neck adjustment, etc.

I had a friend that worked at the gibson custom shop..........they got 3 minutes!
Most of the Epiphones I have seen at chain stores are horrible. But with a proper set up they could be great.
Hope that helps.

[diceman]

I figured that they didn't get a whole lot of time for setup - but I would have thought it'd be more than 3 minutes!

[ninny404]

Originally Posted by diceman

I figured that they didn't get a whole lot of time for setup - but I would have thought it'd be more than 3 minutes!

i know, that's insane haha.

[Roman Rist]

Originally Posted by diceman

I figured that they didn't get a whole lot of time for setup - but I would have thought it'd be more than 3 minutes!

It may be different now, he worked there 10 years ago.
He told me they had an egg timer on each bench set for 3 minutes.

The point is, factories crank out product.

[overdriver]

Originally Posted by diceman

The store should fix it for free! Just take it back there - tell them that they need to either fix it or exchange it - odds are they'll fix it right up at no cost, rather than take it back and sell it as a used item!!

Yeah they come with a thing called WARRANTY

[ablezebra]

Originally Posted by RFR

Most of the Epiphones I have seen at chain stores are horrible. But with a proper set up they could be great.
Hope that helps.

Thanks everyone. After listening to what you all had to say, I've decided to keep the guitar and get it fixed up, unless the costs get ridiculous (hopefully it will be free). After staring at my guitar for a while, I decided it was beautiful and deserved a chance... I really clicked with it when I first picked it up in the store.

maybe I'm too sentimental

[Roman Rist]

Please find a good guy, most chain store "repairmen" are not good. If they were good they wouldn't be working for the store.

[terence_tez]

Originally Posted by RFR

It may be different now, he worked there 10 years ago.
He told me they had an egg timer on each bench set for 3 minutes.

The point is, factories crank out product.

thats what i heard too.3 mins.dang,a quickie lasts longer...

[diceman]

Originally Posted by terence_tez

thats what i heard too.3 mins.dang,a quickie lasts longer...

Not when I'm in charge!!

[ablezebra]

Originally Posted by RFR

Please find a good guy, most chain store "repairmen" are not good. If they were good they wouldn't be working for the store.

Alright, alright, I'll pay to have it fixed by someone competent rather than trying to negotiate it for free from the chain I bought it at.

Thanks again for setting me straight.

[ninny404]

Originally Posted by ablezebra

Alright, alright, I'll pay to have it fixed by someone competent rather than trying to negotiate it for free from the chain I bought it at.

Thanks again for setting me straight.

best of luck and hopefully it doesn't set you back too much

[diceman]

Might be worth talking to the guys there and seeing if they do indeed have anyone competent squirrled away in the back (if they're willing to take care of your for free).

[kaptinkrunch]

I had a MIM Fender Strat that had the same problem, luckily I had a friend who was a guitar tech ( a decent one) and he "redid" my frets for me and from then out no worries w/the guitar. I have been lucky w/my epiphones I have really never had a problem w/them. I wouldn't worry about this being an idication of quality issues as no brand is immune from this type of problem.