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Could be because it’s a zero fret...it’s never been an issue....unfortunately the neck is cut at the headstock already for a zero fret as shown ...

Here’s some pics...the strings are way too high near the bridge why???

the nut is a larger fret than the others ....it’s perfect at fret 1-4 and then rises steeply ... the bridge has to be sit that high so the first few frets don’t fret out ..the neck has a very slight break angle and is straight as a can be. There is 1/4. Inch price of wood above the body ....higher action at the bridge is fine but not this high.....

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Permalink Reply by Jack Brady on April 25, 2020 at 3:42pm

It looks like when you cut the neck out it has a lot of back angle. What does it look like if you put a straight edge on top of the frets and over the box. Does the box angle down towards the bridge or is it parallel with the fretboard? If it has a lot of back angle there is not much you can do besides having a tall bridge. I like not having the strings too close to the box.

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Permalink Reply by Jon Leslie/Runaway Veal Music on April 25, 2020 at 4:18pm

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Permalink Reply by Jon Leslie/Runaway Veal Music on April 25, 2020 at 4:18pm

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Permalink Reply by John Roger on August 23, 2020 at 3:36am

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Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on August 23, 2020 at 11:07am

Hi, a photo of the complete instrument, side on, would make it easier to diagnose the problem.
But the zero fret is normally a next size or two up to give clearance over the fingerboard frets. The lay of the strings off of the top of the box looks good, bridge height look good.
Could be neck is bowed up or set into the box at the wrong angle.
Use a straitedge to check.
Fingerboard best at a 1/4" above box top. I have my bridges at 1/2" to 5/8" high. String height above frets differs between slide or fretting styles.

Taff

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Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on August 23, 2020 at 6:57pm

I should have mentioned that the zero fret is easily replaced with a conventional nut, just a little bit of surgery. Just make sure the front edge of the new nut is positioned so that it matches where the string leaves the zero fret. If the fret has a nice crown that will be in its center, over the slot.

But I do not think the nut is the issue.
Taff