Dead Fret?

[CharvelRocker]

On my Washburn I just bought, I noticed that the 1st string on the 1st fret is dead, and the 2nd string is also some what dead on the same fret, but not to the degree of the 1t. Is it a fret issue or a nut problem? All other strings on the fret are fine.

[nsubulysses]

You should check the neck and see how straight it is. If it's super straight, you might just need to loosen the truss rod a half turn to put a little bow in the neck.

The 1st string is the high E or the low E?

[fett]

First things first. But a thin shim under the nut where they are dead. Another trick if the grooves on the nut on those two strings are too low now is to build up the notches a bid. Like with a little something in the slot.

[Model1VH2]

First things first. But a thin shim under the nut where they are dead. Another trick if the grooves on the nut on those two strings are too low now is to build up the notches a bid. Like with a little something in the slot.

+1 ...

From my experiances ...
If dead frets appear in the 1st position frets the problem is usually the nut.
Dead frets in the 5th -12th frets usually means a truss rod adjustment is needed. And dead frets in the higher register frets usually means a shim adjustment.

[skorb]

+1 ...

From my experiances ...
If dead frets appear in the 1st position frets the problem is usually the nut.
Dead frets in the 5th -12th frets usually means a truss rod adjustment is needed. And dead frets in the higher register frets usually means a shim adjustment.

thanks for that insight, that's a great way of looking at it!

[straycat]

I would say shim the nut on the offending side

[jackson1]

Hold on... what is 1st fret? All the nut related comments are only valid if 1st fret is an open string.

CR, what is 1st fret? Fretted or open? Sorry for my ignorance.

[CharvelRocker]

Hold on... what is 1st fret? All the nut related comments are only valid if 1st fret is an open string.

CR, what is 1st fret? Fretted or open? Sorry for my ignorance.

Fretted.

[jackson1]

Fretted.

Well, there goes all the nut comments.

[spazzyone]

if your buzz is only the first fret fretted and no where else
the fret was pressed too hard and is to low ( and yes it is normal on one side only)
a quick fix for an experienced repairman (10 minutes max)

[emperor_black]

told you not to buy a washburn...

j/k I had the similar problem but on the 12th fret. As suggested, a truss rod adjustment seems to have solved it. Also, try to "lubricate" the nut slots with some pencil lead. My slsmg had the first few frets on the G string dying too quickly. I widened the slot a little and added some pencil lead. The problem went away. the guitar ultimately needed some truss rod adjustments also but that's another story...

[S-man]

It has nothing to do with the nut. NOTHING. The nut only affects OPEN strings. Most likely it's the truss rod....as mentioned above.

BTW...if your nut is affecting fretted notes it's super fucked up. JMO.

[fett]

Well, there goes all the nut comments.

Yeah, shimming the nut would be counterproductive. Sorry. Maybe shave a little off the bottom to lower the nut a tad. I'll be quiet now.

[CharvelRocker]

Thanks guys! I'll have to miss with the trussrod then (my Jackson could use some adjustment too while I'm at it) Now when I go to adjust it, do I adjust it with the strings up to tension and with the locking nut clamped?

[S-man]

Yep.