G-string choking notes from 12th fret up

[Superuser]

I've been setting up guitars for a few years and just recently purchased an Ibanez RG after not having an RG for quite a while. The model is a lower priced RG3EXFM1.

I'm tuned down to straight C - using Ernie Ball Beefy Slinkys (the g-string is a plain wound .22)

My neck relief is .4mm or about .016"
My string action is 2mm on the low string at the 24th fret and 1.8mm on the high string at the 24th fret.
All notes everywhere on every string ring pretty true, a little buzz here and there, except on the 3rd string (or G-string) at the 12th fret it chokes out and dies and it's that way pretty much all the way up the fretboard on this string only. I've raised the action on this string and it helps somewhat, but it's an insane height and is completely uneven with the rest of the action of the other strings.

Do I have a high fret(s)?
What else can I do?
I'm think about returning the guitar... don't really want to pay too badly for a fret job on a $300 guitar.

[GuitarEvan07]

Its probably the 12th fret causing the problem. Ive had that problem before, and tapping the fret down with a rubber hammer fixed the problem.

[Superuser]

Originally Posted by GuitarEvan07

Its probably the 12th fret causing the problem. Ive had that problem before, and tapping the fret down with a rubber hammer fixed the problem.

interesting.... please elaborate. I've never done anything like that to my frets! Any advice on how to do it?


also, if it's just the 12th fret causing the problem by being too high, why do all the frets after it choke out too? (be gentle with me, I'm new with fret science.

[andrewgosline]

I'm not sure about the 12th fret being high. If the 12th fret were high, the when you fret on the 11th, it would buzz and choke, but when you fret on the 12th, assuming the 12th is high, it would be clear. If you recently bought the guitar, can you still take it back? It could be that your neck has a bit of a hump in the middle, or your 24th fret is high in the g-string area.

I don't think it's worth it either to do any work on it if you can take it back free and clear, or exchange it for another that doesn't have that problem.

Is this choking a result of bending, or just straight plucking?

[Superuser]

just straight plucking causes the choke.

yea, I got it at GC last weekend so I have a 30-day money back. I'm pretty much convinced it needs to go back to GC for a refund.

[surfdog777]

Those GC exclusive RGs........ I've yet to come across a single one that had didn't have fret problems.