"Fret-Squeak" on my 2019 special :(

[AllmanPhan]

One month in, I am still loving my Pelham Special and first SG. I have come across an issue that I might be able to live with, but it sure is annoying when playing unplugged. Whenever I use vibrato while fretting on my high E string on the 8th fret, there is a decently loud squeaking noise coming from what sounds like the fret wire on the nut side of my finger. When I put my ear next to the guitar it is loudest by the fret, and not the nut. It is only this fret. Vibrato on C# and B are fine with no squeak. I was thinking that frequent play might wear this issue out, but anyone else experience this and have advice?

 

[living room rocker]

If your guitar is new, maybe a trip back to the retailer for a look. If not, think I'd plan to re-string w/all new; the high E at a minimum. Lubricate nut slots and bridge saddle notches with graphite (pencil lead) or nut sauce. Finally, I'd mask off the 7th, 8th, and 9th frets (when changing strings) and hand polish with a suitable metal polishing compound.

 

[donepearce]

I had exactly this problem on my Nighthawk. Turned out it was not the frets themselves, but the wood of the fretboard. Some very fine sandpaper (finished with 3M abrasive foam pad at 12000), fixed it, and as a bonus made the guitar play much better.

 

[AllmanPhan]

I have changed my strings a few times already. Nut has been lubricated by the shop and I have conditioned the fretboard with F-1 oil each string change. When you sanded your FB, was it the fret your finger was in?

 

[donepearce]

I have changed my strings a few times already. Nut has been lubricated by the shop and I have conditioned the fretboard with F-1 oil each string change. When you sanded your FB, was it the fret your finger was in?

Yes, it was. I made a small youtube video of the problem before I fixed it. Is this what you are hearing?

 

[AllmanPhan]

No its really high pitched. Almost sounds like a whistle.

 

[donepearce]

No its really high pitched. Almost sounds like a whistle.

Oh, OK. Not sure what to say about that. If you run a fingernail along the fret can you feel any roughness? It may be worth giving the frets a polish with some 0000 steel wool in any case - just because you can.

 

[gball]

Do you hear it through the amp?

If not then ignore it and I am betting it goes away over time.

 

[Logan]

Sounds like your string is getting caught on the nibs. Lots of people don't like nibs for this reason. Tighten up your technique, or maybe have a tech fill the gap between the nib with a tiny drop of solder.

 

[AllmanPhan]

Do you hear it through the amp?

If not then ignore it and I am betting it goes away over time.

Nothing when its amplified. Sounds great. Only unplugged and only 8th fret on the high E.

My plan was to just let it go and let playing wear the fret in.

 

[Col Mustard]

sounds like a good plan

Congratulations on getting a beautiful new guitar.

 

[Paul G.]

So when your electric guitar is unplugged, in one position, doing one thing, you hear a noise that is louder when you put your ear on the neck?

It's an electric guitar. Plug it in and make music -- if it ain't coming out of the amp it means nothing.

Um, anything else I say now will get me thrown off the forum.

 

[AllmanPhan]

So when your electric guitar is unplugged, in one position, doing one thing, you hear a noise that is louder when you put your ear on the neck?

It's an electric guitar. Plug it in and make music -- if it ain't coming out of the amp it means nothing.

Um, anything else I say now will get me thrown off the forum.

LOL yes! It is very minor and my plan will remain to play it and I believe it'll go away. Most of my playing is unplugged while watching TV so every now and then, when I hear the noise it bugs me.

 

[donepearce]

LOL yes! It is very minor and my plan will remain to play it and I believe it'll go away. Most of my playing is unplugged while watching TV so every now and then, when I hear the noise it bugs me.

A pair of headphones and a Vox Amplug will cure all at a stroke.

 

[AllmanPhan]

A pair of headphones and a Vox Amplug will cure all at a stroke.

View attachment 34411

Always wanted to try these. They pretty legit?

 

[donepearce]

Always wanted to try these. They pretty legit?

Yep. I have the AC30 version, and aside from a little hiss, it is pretty close to the real thing.