Re: String Height at 12th Fret
I don't know why the setup guy would take the action lower than your request, since it is so easy to lower the action incrementally after playing awhile on each new setting. On my tenors, 5/64" or even 6/64" action sounds low. I will typically shoot for action about the same as the comparable strings a 6-string guitar, eg, between 6/64th to 8/64th, higher on the bass side and lower on the treble. And, ideally I would want lower action if using CGDA tuning, and higher action for GDAE tuning, as the lower-tuned strings are going to move more.
But you don't mention your string gauges or tuning you are using, and also whether the nut slots were perhaps cut a little too deep, which could definitely inctroduce buzzing of open strings. Too-low action at the saddle would tend to cause buzzing on higher frets when fretting in the middle of the neck - often buzzing occurs near the body joint, as fingerboards often have a little hump at the body. So unless you have really level FB/frets, a 5/64" action might well be too low. An easy test would be to shim the saddle up by 2/64" (raising the action 1/64" at the 12th fret) and see if that solves the issues.
Jeff Rohrbough
"Listen louder, play softer"
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