5th fret buzz

[jeremyo83]

I just finished putting together my strat partscaster, and have attempted to set it up the best I can. I've run into some fret buzz whenever I play any string at the 5th fret. I can get rid of it by setting the action higher, but then anything above the 7th fret gets to be quite uncomfortable to play with action that high.

I'm not quite sure what the problem is, as the neck is straight, and it's only when I play the 5th fret. never anything higher or lower.

I know I've read some things about putting a small shim in between the neck and the body.. would this be something that I would have to do to rectify this? Or is there a simpler answer I can investigate?

Thanks!

[ranchtooth]

If its only the 5th fret, you most likely have a high fret, most likely the 6th.... When you fret any string at the 5th, the height of the 6th causes intermitting contact and buzz.
I'd recommend levelling and recrowning the frets. Any guitar shop worth its salt can do this and give you a full setup.

[ranchtooth]

Almost forgot...
You can check for a high fret by placing a straight edge across the frets (try spanning 5, 6 and 8 for starters) and seeing if it rocks back and forth on the suspected high fret. If it rocks, then the fret acting as the fulcrum is whats giving you the trouble.

[lunaalta]

You might also check for a slightly low 5th fret. This may explain why you only have problems there.

[jeremyo83]

it seems that the problem is in fact a low 5th fret (good call lunaalta)

Now I have a new problem: How do I fix this? I'm thinking I might have to take it in to a shop, unless someone could give a good home remedy suggestion.

[ranchtooth]

if its a single low fret, your going to need to have the rest of the frets levelled to match it. This isn't such a big deal but I do recommend having a good tech do the work if your not comfortable with it. After a good fret levelling and dressing you should be buzz-free with lower action than ever before.

[lunaalta]

Glad you found the problem.
I'd weigh up changing the bad fret (since I assume they are all new) with having the other frets filed. Don't know if the former is viable, but I think it begs investigation.