Add relief or raise string height at bridge?

[Armando]

Ok, I've got a 1983 Gibson Explorer that I just strung up with .011-.048 for Eb tuning. I initially set neck almost dead straight, barely any relief. Next I set string height to where it's comfortable. String height at 12th fret: Bass- 4/64 and Treble- barely 3/64 . Only area I'm getting too much fret buzz is the first 6 or 7 frets from nut.

I've got a tiny amount of "wiggle" room left I'm terms of raising the string height a bit more but will adding a small bit of upbow help more or ruin the playability??

Thanks in advance!

[tom]

generally speaking, if a neck is buzzing in that area it's a sign of the neck being back bowed or two straight. i'd put just a little bow in it which will make the action come up just a bit. after you get a little bow, you can try taking the action back down to where you like it. since it's an older guitar, you could have some fret wear too.

[Armando]

Thanks Tom!

I'll be adding relief a little at a time. Frets are in decent shape but I'm not a fan of them. They're more of a "fretless wonder" style. They may need to go....