High E string slips off fret on new 2016 Bluesboy USA

[jronhenchy]

Hi!

I just received a brand new 2016 ASAT Classic Bluesboy in clear orange (Musicians Friend), beautiful looking and sounding instrument!

I'm having a problem though with the high E string slipping off of the top of the fret onto the fret bevel resulting in a dead string.
I researched the issue and found knowledgebase topic "String alignment issues and a simple cure" (http://guitarsbyleo.com/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=3488). I repeated the suggested steps of re-aligning the neck three times, including lifting up the pick guard, but there was very little movement and the problem is still significant.

The problem is from frets 1-7ish. The string easily slips off with just slight movement even with open G or D chords for example. I can't perform any vibrato and pulloffs on the first string as a result. As a result I'm sending it back for a new one, surprising for the high price point.

I inspected the guitar closely and compared to my numerous mid-high end guitars (PRS custom 24, Ibanez Jem, Les Paul, Strat) and none exhibit the problem; they all have ample space between high E string and fret bevel/fretboard edge and I have no issues with chords, pulloffs, vibrato, etc.

Any idea if this is the Bluesboy design or if something was overlooked when manufactured? I love the Bluesboy but if this is by design I won't be able to play it.

I have photos but don't know how to post.
Thanks much.

[Craig]

Hi!

I just received a brand new 2016 ASAT Classic Bluesboy in clear orange (Musicians Friend), beautiful looking and sounding instrument!

I'm having a problem though with the high E string slipping off of the top of the fret onto the fret bevel resulting in a dead string.
I researched the issue and found knowledgebase topic "String alignment issues and a simple cure" (http://guitarsbyleo.com/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=3488). I repeated the suggested steps of re-aligning the neck three times, including lifting up the pick guard, but there was very little movement and the problem is still significant.

The problem is from frets 1-7ish. The string easily slips off with just slight movement even with open G or D chords for example. I can't perform any vibrato and pulloffs on the first string as a result. As a result I'm sending it back for a new one, surprising for the high price point.

I inspected the guitar closely and compared to my numerous mid-high end guitars (PRS custom 24, Ibanez Jem, Les Paul, Strat) and none exhibit the problem; they all have ample space between high E string and fret bevel/fretboard edge and I have no issues with chords, pulloffs, vibrato, etc.

Any idea if this is the Bluesboy design or if something was overlooked when manufactured? I love the Bluesboy but if this is by design I won't be able to play it.

I have photos but don't know how to post.
Thanks much.

Please see: Welcome! Read This First. There is information there about posting photos.
Also, post a photo of the Custom Build Specifications sheet, as it will tell us which neck profile it has.

Looking forward to seeing your photos.

[jronhenchy]

Wow, thanks for the fast reply Craig!

I posted photos including specs on guitarsbyleo site. Here's the links.
The neck is a Classic C.

http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/GALLERY2/ma ... alNumber=1
http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/GALLERY2/ma ... alNumber=1
http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/GALLERY2/ma ... alNumber=1
http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/GALLERY2/ma ... alNumber=1
http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/GALLERY2/ma ... alNumber=1

[Craig]

Wow, thanks for the fast reply Craig!

I posted photos including specs on guitarsbyleo site. Here's the links.
The neck is a Classic C.

http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/GALLERY2/ma ... alNumber=1
http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/GALLERY2/ma ... alNumber=1
http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/GALLERY2/ma ... alNumber=1
http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/GALLERY2/ma ... alNumber=1
http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/GALLERY2/ma ... alNumber=1

Your photos are too big, so I resized and added them to your Gallery.

Here they are:







From the looks of the frets in question, I would say they were improperly crowned (too deep an angle on the ends). The nut looks okay to me.

This is a 12" radius fretboard, so you should not have any fretting out.

Did this occur at the factory or by the dealer's tech prior to shipment to you, we will likely not know. The good news is this should be covered by the G&L warranty.
Contact the selling dealer for warranty repair/replacement.

My $0.02.

[jronhenchy]

Thanks for the photo assist and for reviewing.
OK, I'm happy to hear it's not by design. I ordered from an online big box store so the setup must be right from the factory.
I'll have them send me a new one, hopefully I don't run into the same issue.

[darwinohm]

My opinion is that the nut was installed to far to the right and then the ends were trimmed. A simple solution would be to break the nut loose and position to center the strings at the nut. It will look funny but if it cures the issue you can have the nut replaced by G&l. The alignment corrects itself as you go toward the bridge. A simple nut alignment problem. Should have been noticed by the check out technician before it left the factory. My opinion only. -- Darwin

[jronhenchy]

Hi - I received a replacement Bluesboy and I no longer have the problem with the high E
The guitar looks, feels, and sounds fantastic! It's hard to get any work done at my day job
I can visibly see more space between the high E and the edge of the fret and fretboard, and it looks like the frets are tapered differently, though not certain.

Funny thing is the low E pops off the fret sometimes when I'm doing vibrato around the 5th-7th frets, but I think this is in part because it's a totally different style guitar I'm not used to playing including the medium jumbo frets.

I encountered a different problem last night. While I was bending the high E around the 14th fret the string popped off/came unwound at the tuning peg. I've broken strings bending but never had this happen. The tuning pegs are unique and it looks like perhaps the factory didn't wrap the string enough times around the peg. I'll look for solutions for this but any suggestions are welcome

Thanks all!
Jeff

[jronhenchy]

I found some posts on this site and some great videos on youtube for restringing the slotted tuning pegs. One video provided a cool technique for the high E specifically since it's known to slip on these types of pegs.