Fret break in??

[Sam SG]

Ok so I have this one SG it's a tribute I bought new in Aug 23'.
It always had a slight chokey sound to the high E and B above the 12th fret. Not fretting out or buzzy just weird slightly choked sound. Truss rod is correct and action while lower is not the problem cause even high it does it.
Now I set it up just they way i like about a month ago. I hadent really played it a ton befor this. I also OOOO steel wooled the fretboard when i set it up now I notice the more I play up high the cleaner the notes seem to be getting.
Is there a break in period for frets? Seems very odd.
My other SG I seem to remember having a similar sound but after almost 9yrs of relentless playing( wore finish off back of neck) notes are clean right up the neck even with the same action settings.
Had an SG Jr that also had this sound up high.
Never noticed this with any other type of guitars( have had probably 40 over 30yrs)

 

[Ascension]

Sounds like you have a neck rise in the upper frets. It may be as simple and the truss rod being a little too tight and the neck having a little back bow. Frets have no break in period that is an issue with set up or a neck problem. Most likely is just a simple adjustment.

 

[Sam SG]

Seems weird I use the same clearance for all my guitars at the 9th fret both E's with first fret capo'd and last fret depressed. This is the only one that does this

 

[Mincer]

Some guitars need vastly different setups to play right for the player. I agree, this sounds like a fret rise problem which usually can be solved with a fret level. More severe cases would need the higher frets pulled and the fretboard sanded.

 

[Sam SG]

Eek was hoping not to have to have a fret level and dress done on a pretty much brand new Gibson

 

[Mincer]

If in doubt, take it to someone recommended to you just for a diagnosis.

 

[RanchManSandy]

Might only be one high fret that's causing the issue. If you don't have a fret rocker they're a great tool to have around.

 

[Sam SG]

Might only be one high fret that's causing the issue. If you don't have a fret rocker they're a great tool to have around.

I play rock and I have 12 guitars...so kinda a fret rocker...prolly not what you mean lol

 

[hamerfan]

Its a tool to detect high frets

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-too...EE59FUzrOOtfvmaH0TCy-Lk5BmyUAaw3z0c06_GJKVYjs

 

[Lucius Paisley]

Holy s#%t! What did they take?

 

[RanchManSandy]

BTW, don't get the stew mac one, you can get a fret rocker for half their price at Philadelphia luthiery supply.

 

[misterwhizzy]

BTW, don't get the stew mac one, you can get a fret rocker for half their price at Philadelphia luthiery supply.

I went ahead and did the search for him (and possibly me) and found it here for less than half the price of Stew Mac.

 

[Sam SG]

Yea I bought gibson deep toggle switch nuts( for putting the poker chip on) from PLS. Seems like a good place

 

[Ashurbanipal]

It does sound like the fret crown is not properly finished and/or the fret itself isn't fully seated in the slot. I've had this issue on guitars in the past. When you play a note, it lacks sustain and/or it sounds weedier than others. It has a somewhat aggressive initial attack then dies quite quickly.

The fact that it's a fairly new doesn't necessarily matter - it may have come off the assembly line perfect, but between then and coming to you, it could've gone through a variety of temperature and humidity changes, causing the issue.

As we know well, the neck on an SG is not as supported as on some other guitars, and given the greater flexibility, may contribute to the aforementioned issues.

 

[midnite_man]

Some guitars need vastly different setups to play right for the player. I agree, this sounds like a fret rise problem which usually can be solved with a fret level. More severe cases would need the higher frets pulled and the fretboard sanded.

I agree, every guitar has it's own personality and also needs a little love now and then. You can use any straight-edged piece of metal, like a large aluminum construction square, and check your fret levels. If you have a rocker and not comfortable with dressing those few frets definitely take it to a luthier or technician.
Good luck!

 

[Securb]

I would say my SG is my most finicky guitar, and the neck drifts more often than any other guitar. When setup correctly, the guitar is a beast, but it is very reactive to humidity and temperature.

 

[jeremy]

ive had similar experiences with the sg. much more temperamental than my other guitars, but they can sound fantastic

 

[JMP/HBE]

They're either level / crowned & polished or they're not.