this post was submitted on 03 Aug 2023
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Guitar strings suddenyl start touching fretboard? (mander.xyz)
submitted 1 year ago by DozensOfDonner@mander.xyz to c/guitars@lemmy.world
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Hey guys, i've got a weird thing that I might have fucked up a bit, but any tips are welcome.

I've got an old cheap guitar which I though I'd improve a bit with some other pickups I had. Installed the pickups, also got some new strings. So weirdly enough, for some reason the new strings touched the first few frets. I could adjust this at the bridge but it really needed to be lifted a lot, which screws up the action in my opinion. Didn't screw with any other part of the guitar besides pickup, the only reason I could imagine was that the neck was warped from sitting around without strings for a bit (but it wasn't even that long I believe? But maybe cheap guitar = cheap materials?).

The neck doesn't seem warped to the eye, but have to admit that I'm starting to doubt the straightness of my references for straightness. It feels as if the neck is ever so slightly crooked on the body (like leaning forward a bit), but again I can't imagine this suddenly happening when changing the pickups?

I know some might say "just take it to the shop" but I like DIYing and I really want to learn more about this stuff, and especially what the hell is going on. Anyone got any thoughts on this?

(Could post some pictures but on pictures nothing really stands out).

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[–] GuitarGeek@waveform.social 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Did you make sure you replaced the strings with ones of the same gauge? I ask because it sounds like you may have put on a heavier gauge which has caused the neck to bow with the increased tension. It's not a massive issue but if it is the case you will need to adjust the truss rod. It's a bit of a daunting process but honestly it's not too hard, there's plenty of guides out there on how to do it. Or you could take it to a shop if you're not feeling too confident.

(Edit: after reading your comment again it's more likely you replaced with a lighter gauge if the strings are hitting the first couple of frets, same solution though just turn the truss rod the other direction)

[–] DozensOfDonner@mander.xyz 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I think indeed I have a bit bigger gauge, but i'm testing it now with the old string actually (Don't want to damage the new string by constantly putting it on and off etc).

A bigger gauge pulls harder on the headstock, pulling the neck up, you mean? But then I would think that the strings height would increase, not? I did see another comment mention the truss-rod aswell. Thought it was daunting indeed but some googling makes it seem kinda doable.

also, lol after seeing you edit, but yeah I believe the new strings are a bit bigger, but the effect seems to be from a weaker pull, like you said. but yeah that kinda confuses me :")

[–] GuitarGeek@waveform.social 1 points 1 year ago

Yeah you're totally right that a heavier gauge pulls the neck towards the body and generally would make the strings sit further away from the fretboard. Another reason perhaps is that newer strings tend to sound brighter and sharper and can make fret buzz seem louder, so perhaps you had some fret buzz before but it's more noticeable with fresher strings? This has happened to me more than once.

[–] Llamajockey@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Got a few things you can look into Pickups are magnetic, if new pick ups are set higher they might be pulling down on the strings? (Just a theory not sure if it's possible). You should be able to lower or lift the pickups and see if it helps. The new strings, are they the same gauge? Different gauges pull at different tensions so that could be it. Also, you can look into adjusting the truss rod. Look up videos of how to and where to find it, it varies on guitars. Good luck bro.

[–] ashok36@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yeah, Truss rod would be my first guess. If OP went with thicker strings then that's going to put more tension on the neck and could cause the issue.

OP, if you see this, look up videos on youtube on how to properly set up your guitar for neck straightness, string height, and intonation. Stew Mac has a ton of videos so I would start there.

[–] masterofn001@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 year ago

Truss rod was my immediate and almost certain thought as well.

I picked up a little diy guitar book a few years back. Went from having everything in tune at 1st fret and horribly out of tune at the 7th to an in tune everywhere, solid sounding, easy action, no buzz, and glorious sustain.

[–] DozensOfDonner@mander.xyz 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I don't have a feeling the pickups pull on them that much harder than the previous set, and it wouldn't pull it harder than what the bridge allows. Also this new one is already a bit lower. String i'm testing it with now is actually the one that was on it before, but it could indeed be that the new set has a slightly higher gauge. I started using the old string just to not damage the new one too much but putting it on, adjust stuff, taking it off etc etc etc

The truss rod is a very good recommendation, have heard of that but didn't think about adjusting that myself, but from what google shows it could be a cool solution. Thanks for the tip!

[–] Llamajockey@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Good luck, update your post if you figure it out

[–] DozensOfDonner@mander.xyz 1 points 1 year ago

Definitly, will prolly try some stuff this weekend, will update!

[–] Puttaneska@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

That’s what I wondered.

Even if the new pick ups don’t have stronger magnets, I guess lighter strings could get pulled on more easily…? Or maybe the new strings have a higher iron content and are more prone to magnetic pool? (as I write this is sounding less plausible!).