need help with a neck tweak - first fret buzzes only, also n

[brunning]

hi everyone. i have a USA Custom that has a problem with the neck - all the strings buzz at the first fret, especially the A,D,G,B strings though, but only at the first fret - the second fret and up are fine and the guitar plays great otherwise.

i don't know if this is a truss rod issue, or an issue with the fret itself. i'm pretty good with guitars overall, and it doesn't look like it's coming unseated or anything.

also, none of my truss rod wrenches (i have a few "L" shape wrenches) seem to fit this guitar. i can get them in there, but the heads aren't long enough to reach the bolt or something, where do you recommend i get an appropriate wrench for this neck?

[Rich]

Exactly what model is this, and does it have a conventional or tension free neck?

[Neven]

isn't it enough to just put something under top-lock?
i mean, you can put those metal shims, or just improvise with something similar.
http://www.jemsite.com/tech/img/t_toplk.jpg

[Rich]

That won't work if it's a tension free neck, why I asked specifically which model and neck type.

[brunning]

to tell you the truth, i don't know exactly what model it is. here's a picture of it, perhaps you can tell me more.

and i haven't shimmed the locknut either - don't have any shims or know where to get them at the moment.

[Jupiter]

WOW!!! Gorgeous guitar ! Is that flame maple ? How flamey ? Also, what kind of pickups does it have, and what is that little switch between the volume and tone knobs? * * * * * * * * * * * * *Questions, questions...all i seem to do on this forum is ask you all questions...forgive me, i'm sure it's getting old ! --<B>--

[brunning]

again, i don't know a whole lot about this guitar. i've had it for about 4 months and it's my first ibanez. i was really looking for a JEM77FP or BFP at the time, but they were out of my price range and when i stumbled upon this USA-made baby for $399 used with OHSC, i couldn't pass her up. i think it was a good deal :)

anyway, yes. it's a flamed maple top. pretty flamey for an ibanez (from what i've seen). the switch taps both pickups when flipped and makes for some great clean sounds. as for the pickups, the bridge is a dimarzio X2N and i think the neck is an evolution, though i haven't taken it out to look for the name yet.

i really love the guitar so far. i'm a les paul guy at heart and have never owned a floyd-equipped guitar before, so i was kind of wary of this, but it's just not been an issue. i'm really amazed at how thin-yet-stable the neck is - on all my other guitars, even ones with fat necks (LP, strat, tele, SG) you can push on the neck and the pitch of the note will change because the neck moves... not this axe though, it's incredibly rigid. very impressive guitar.