Behringer strat

Skywalker

Howzit everyone!!!

One of my neighbours asked me to check out their guitar for them the other day as it wasn't staying in tune and it "sounded terrible". Obviuosly I said yes as I can set up a guitar etc. The thing is this. After having a look at it I realised that the action was WAAAAY high and the neck wasn't as straight as it could've been. I adjusted the truss rod to get it as straight as I could but the action was still way too high. There's at least a gap of about 6 or so millimeters between fretboard and all 6 strings. I thought that I might need to put a shim or 2 between the neck join and body. The bridge saddles are a bit high aswell but I'm sure if I take them down I'm going to get hectic buzz and dead noted etc. all over the place.

I know it's a pretty cheapo guitar so I can't really expect much but what do you peeps reckon I do? Is it worth the mission to try and get this guitar to stay in tune, play nicely and intonate it properlly???

Any thoughts/suggestions?

DonovanB

Bring the bridge saddles right down as well.

Check the springs for the tremolo, maybe they are too loose...

Skywalker

Thanks Don 8)

Sometimes the simplest things slip one's mind. I'll check it out and report back - haha!

Shot!!

Gearhead

+1 only shim the neck if you can't get it done with the saddles. The height adjustment screws might start sticking out very far so it's uncomfortable to play, but if the guitar stays like this you could shim and bring the saddles back up. First wait for the weather to change and then see what it looks like. Meanwhile do not forget to screw down the pups at the same time so you don't get stratitis. Rather go for more relief (say 1 to 1.5mm between 1st and 17th) to stop any buzzing than zero relief and action too high.

Skywalker

Thanks guys!!!

Gave it another go last night and got it playing ok. Dropped the saddles as far down as I could but got a bit of buzz and a few dead notes higher up the neck. Raised a few of the saddles a bit and it got a bit better. The saddle screws do stick out a bit and are a bit of a pain but bearable.
Gearhead , I'll check the neck out again and adjust it accordingly. Like you said, it will probably get rid of those dead notes. Either that or I presume there are some proud frets somewhere on the neck. Stupid question - How can you see a proud fret BTW?

When I dropped the saddles the first thing I did was drop the pups. They were so high they were basically touching the strings ?

The guitar is definately more playable now than when I got it. Poor guy must have been so uninspired to play with how it was "setup". I'm pretty sure he'll dig it once I'm done with it.

Shot for the help guys :goodtimes:

Gearhead

Skywalker wrote question - How can you see a proud fret BTW?

The idea behind the way necks are built is that you have a straight neck if there is no tension on it - it's easier to build that way ?
Meaning if you release the tension from the strings and from the truss rod, it should come out straight: check with a ruler (although some say they never use one ? ). Since the fretboard has a radius it makes sense to let the ruler follow the 'string path' which is narrow at the nut and wider at the bridge. Work your way through the string paths, map the high frets and low frets and you're almost ready to start dressing the frets. Before you do, make sure all frets are seating properly.

Skywalker

Sweet!!!! 8)