Tech: Guitar Action has changed - I think

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar Action has changed - I think
From: Grab
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 01:18 PM

It depends on what is causing the buzz. Can you see it touching the frets anywhere? If not, this might not be your problem.

What can happen (if you're very unlucky) is that the tension and length of the bit of string from the nut to the tuner resonates. If you're fretting the string then your finger deadens the string above that point, but on an open string the nut is taking the strain and a certain amount of the vibration will get through. Try putting a bit of tape around that bit of the string, and that'll stop any resonance dead. I've just had myself a similar symptom on my classical (coincidentally also on the A string), and I've also had the same happen with my violin E-string between the bridge and tailpiece.

I can't guarantee it, but if it doesn't work then you've lost nothing except a 1" piece of Sellotape. :-)

Graham.

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar Action has changed - I think
From: Midchuck
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 10:06 AM

It's fairly normal for the action to change, a little, when you change string gauges. Normally, it gets higher with heavier strings and lower with lighter ones. A silk-and-steel set with an 11 high E, and the others in proportion, is about as little string tension as you're likely to find, and it's not at all surprising it would create a low enough action to buzz. Best thing to do is decide what you like, then have it set up for them specificly. Or to I mean "specifically?" I can never remember.

Keep in mind that humidity changes have a big effect, too. I go crazy trying to keep my guitars' actions right, in a house in Vermont with partial wood heat, that gets damp in Summer and dry in Winter.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar Action has changed - I think
From: GUEST,Baz
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 07:44 AM

Thanks folks - I'll take a trip to the repair shop this weekend, but it's good to get some opinions in advance.

Cheers,
Baz.

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar Action has changed - I think
From: GUEST,Ned at work
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 06:24 AM

I totally agree with Mooman.As a repairer also.The change from 11 to 13 is quite a large one and I would advise having it checked anyhow,whenever that sort of change is carried out.

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar Action has changed - I think
From: mooman
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 05:44 AM

From my experience as a guitar repairer, this sound most likely like a problem that could be solved by a very small tweak of the truss rod as mentioned by tunesmith above. There could, however, be other causes so I'd personally take it to an experienced guitar tech. near you. Unless you know what you're doing with a truss rod, it's best to leave it to someone experienced.

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar Action has changed - I think
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 05:27 AM

Same thing happened with my Simon and Patrick. I took it back to where I bought it and their guitar repair technician put it right - by adjusting the truss-rod.

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar Action has changed - I think
From: mandotim
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 05:03 AM

Using heavier strings may have affected the nut slot. Check that the lighter strings are not sitting too deep in the slot. If they are, the best fix is to cut and slot a new nut. (A good excuse for upgrading the nut to bone or similar). An ok fix is to make some shavings/dust from an old nut, mix it with superglue and fill in the slots. Let it dry, and then cut new slots to the required depth. If the neck shape has changed, then a sight along it should show you the amount of relief in the neck. If it is straight, or bending slightly back away from the fretboard, this may be your problem. A quick truss rod adjustment usually does the trick. Without seeing the guitar, my best guess would be the nut.
Tim from Bit on the Side

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar Action has changed - I think
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 04:54 AM

If the neck has been pulled up by the increased tension, would that not potentially cause a higher action?

Unless the neck has been twisted.

Subject: Tech: Guitar Action has changed - I think
From: GUEST,Baz
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 04:49 AM

I've got a guitar question I hope you can advise me on. I have a Simon & Patrick SP6. I've been using D'Addario Silk & Steel strings for a while, which are 11 gauge. I actually prefer a heavier string though, so I've been experimenting with different ones, and I've recently been using a lot of 13-guage sets from various manufacturers.

Anyway, last night I decided to go back to the Silk & Steels, and when I put them on, I found that the "A" string buzzes when played open. This seems to be because it is sat on the first fret. I play a lot in altered tunings, and tuning down makes the problem worse, as you can imagine.

I've gone back to 13's, and that's solved the problem, but I'd like to think that I should be able to put different gauge strings on without having problems. The Silk & Steels never gave me problems before.

So, my working theory is that going from 11's to 13's has pulled the neck out of shape very slightly because of the greater tension. Consequently, changing back to lighter strings results in a lower action.

Does anyone have experience of this happening to them? Is it common, and, most importantly, can it be fixed?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Ta,
Baz.