Guitar Fret Noise?

Question

Hello People. I own a Squier Bullet Strat and when I fret the strings 1,2,3/G,B,E in the lowest notes (~up to the 7th fret), the string rubs against the higher fret and makes a noise, like it was to low or the frets to high. This sound is not played in the amp but it's annoying when I practice at low volumes. The guitar is new. Is that normal?

Answer 1

I wouldn't reccommend filing on your new guitar. Try this before you actually do anything to your guitar. Look down the neck of your guitar. Hold the neck straight out, away from you. Put your face next to the bridge, and look down the neck. The strings are going to be straight, so compare the straightness of the neck to the strings. Is there a curve to the neck? The conditions you describe sound like it's bowed. Looking down the neck will tell you if it's a problem with your neck, or just the frets. If it's new, take it to the store you got it from and ask them to correct it or replace the guitar for you.

Answer 2

Don't file the frets. It just needs to be intonated. Your action is prabaly too low which normally happens in a humid, cool enviroment. A set up should cost anywhere from $40 to $60 depending. You could turn the truss rod yourself if you want to save some doe, Just research truss rod adjustments

Answer 3

Take it to a music store and get it set up.String height(action),string curvature,truss rod ,nut height,intonation.Learn about set-up, so you can do it yourself.Then you will be able to set-up any guitar you own just the way you like it.

Answer 4

You can file it down, but only in tiny (and I DO mean tiny) increments. Just file it down far enough that the noise goes away or is reduced enough, but if you file too far, you may make it worse.

Find a good local music store (not a national chain store) and ask the guitar tech for advice.