Help: fret buzz

Subject: fret buzz
From: GUEST,Pixie
Date: 17 Feb 02 - 08:57 AM

Looking for input from those who know more about the construction/care of guitars than I (it don't take much!). I recently had a new bridge put on my guitar, and when I got it back, the action was lower (which was okay), but when I capoed, there was significant fret buzz on lower E. I call the "tech" who said I needed to buy a humidity-measuring gizmo (which I did) and let it sit for a week to see if the buzz went away. I have a humidifier in the guitar, but am concerned that I'm getting a run-around. I didn't have fret buzz before......should this be handled differently or is the "tech" on track?????

Help!!!!

Subject: RE: Help: fret buzz
From: Ned Ludd
Date: 17 Feb 02 - 09:05 AM

Sounds like you'r getting the runaround.Any more detail on the type of guitar and bridge?

Subject: RE: Help: fret buzz
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 17 Feb 02 - 10:08 AM

Low humidity in winter (in North America at any rate) can certainly cause the soundboard to sink, and the action to buzz but it doesn't sound as though that is the problem in your case.

Murray

Subject: RE: Help: fret buzz
From: GUEST,zac
Date: 17 Feb 02 - 10:28 AM

(1) there is a possibility the capo isn't pressing the #6 string down, and the fret buzz is caused by that.can you determine if the buzz is in any position you capo or just one position.You say a new bridge-- do you mean a complete "new bridge" or do you just mean you have a new bridge saddle? It is possible that the a new bridge saddle is too low on the #6 side -- When you say "lower e" do you mean the lowest(#6) string or the "lowest" as you hole the guitar( presuming you are a right handed player)

Subject: RE: Help: fret buzz
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 17 Feb 02 - 11:30 AM

If you lowered the bridge, that would mean that if one or more of the frets are a little bit higher that might be sufficient to interfere with the free vibration of the string, hence a bizz. Elementary geography.

That means you either have to lower the frets in question a fraction, or raise the bridge a little on the side of the fretboard which has the buzzing string. You don't say if the buzz happens just on some frets, or all the way up. If it's just the odd fret lowering it slightly (filing it down maybe) might be the way to go. If you fret it up near the hole end, and work down that should make that clearer.

Otherwise raising the bridge on that side is the answer - lots of guitars are adjustable that way anyway. Otherwise you could stick something under the string where it goes over the saddle - a bit of tough plastic, say from a cheap ball point pen ink-reservoir, might do the job.

The other thing to check, if it's a wound string, is of course to make sure that the string winding hasn't got broken, because that can cause a buzz. A bit the way that knocking sound in a car can turn out to be something rolling around in the boot of the car (or the trunk, if you are American), and you feel a bit of a lemon when the bloke at the garage points that out.(Assuming he's not some cowboy who doesn't tell you and who charges you an arm and a leg for fixing it.)

Subject: RE: Help: fret buzz
From: GUEST,Pixie
Date: 17 Feb 02 - 11:57 AM

Thanks everyone for the input.

The guitar is a Washburn WD40S. The entire bridge was replaced due to a crack going right across. The buzz is on the large E, and seems to happen on the 13th fret, no matter where I'm playing/with/without capo.

The suggestion of raising the bridge/saddle on one side may be easiest way to go, or maybe the fret needs dressing on the 13th fret???

All your input has been helpful - the humidity level is low, but will keeping a humidifier in the guitar on the stand rectify the fret buzz problem, or is more work required?

Continued feedback is very welcome!

Thanks again!

Subject: RE: Help: fret buzz
From: Justa Picker
Date: 17 Feb 02 - 12:10 PM

Possible remedies to eliminate string buzz:

- changing the string gage (i.e. lights to mediums)
- new compensated saddle
- different capo
- replacement of nut or modification of string depth on nut
- fret dressing
- neck reset

Subject: RE: Help: fret buzz
From: C-flat
Date: 17 Feb 02 - 12:23 PM

It's not uncommon for guitars to buzz when you play the thicker bass strings so high up the neck.If it's only occuring at the 13th fret with your E string you probably don't have a problem.To set the guitar up to eliminate this you would undoubtably need to compromise on the playability when you are fretting lower down the neck. My advice to you would be "stay out of the deep end!"

Subject: RE: Help: fret buzz
From: Midchuck
Date: 17 Feb 02 - 12:55 PM

If you have a normal, "drop-in" saddle, you can experiment with a shim as a temporary measure. You take the strings off, take the saddle out, and cut a piece of some thin, hard material - maybe a playing card - a credit card is usually too thick - to just the size of the saddle slot, so you can lay it in there underneath the saddle to raise it by that amount. The advantage of this is that it's completely reversible if it makes the guitar harder to play but doesn't help the buzz. If it works, you can have a new, taller, saddle made - or buy a blank and a Dremel tool and go for it yourself.

Incidentally, I had a solid-top Washburn for a while, some year ago, and it also cracked straight across the bridge. The shop got the instrument replaced outright under warranty, so I immediately traded the new one for a Martin D-1R, which was one of my smarter moves. I think those grooves form the front to the back of the saddle, that Washburn puts, or used to put, on either side of the strings, weaken the whole bridge unduly.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Help: fret buzz
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 17 Feb 02 - 01:20 PM

13th fret? I thought that high they were just for decoration. I suppose, playing rock with an elecric guitar, you might want to play up there.

Subject: RE: Help: fret buzz
From: GUEST,Bigchuck at work
Date: 17 Feb 02 - 03:03 PM

Sight carefully down the neck from the nut end. A lot of guitars can develop a slight hump right where the neck and body join on one or both sides, especially in winter when things dry out. This sounds suspiciously like that. Humidifying for long enought to rehydrate the guitar might take care of things. If it doesn't, the proper fix is to pull all the frets from about the 11th fret on, level the fingerboard, and replade the frets. You might be able to get by having the frets levelled and dressed, if the hump is not too bad. It only takes a little bit of a high fret to cause buzzing, and you generally can't identify a high fret with the naked eye. I use a small straightedge that is just long enough to span 3 frets. The straightedge will rock a little when it straddles a high fret.
Sandy

Subject: RE: Help: fret buzz
From: GUEST,zac
Date: 17 Feb 02 - 03:11 PM

I would suggest that if you decide to "shim" under the saddle you consider keeping the entire length of the saddle supported--else the downward pressure of the strings could crack the saddle in two--plus the saddle in order to transfer the string vibration to the bridge, and onto the top must have a good fit on the bottom-- It'll work ,just shimming one end of the saddle,but the tone/transmission from the string to the top will suffer. I would suggest that you use card stock--the material business cards are made of,for your shim stock.Rest the saddle on a business card,and with an exacto knife,scribe around the card stock,make several-- be careful--the exacto is sharp-You may need to use one or two to get the height you need on the #6 string end of the saddle. Once you have that height correct on the #6 string,it may be necessary to re-shape the top of the saddle towards the #1 end ( to make up for the higher end). Better yet,have a new saddle made with a higher #6 end.

Subject: RE: Help: fret buzz
From: Gary T
Date: 17 Feb 02 - 03:37 PM

Check out www.frets.com for lots of good info on guitar care, adjustment, and repair. Here's where to start on buzzes.

If you just had the bridge replaced, I would assume that the saddle was replaced or at least carefully inspected. You shouldn't have to mess with it. If there's a problem with saddle height, I would expect the repairman to take care of it.

Subject: RE: Help: fret buzz
From: Ned Ludd
Date: 17 Feb 02 - 05:04 PM

I agree with Gary T. If you have just had the bridge replaced (not cheap!) then the repairman should sort it as part of the repair. I would have told you...Any problems bring it back! Try a hint that apart from the buzz it is a great repair and if the buzz is sorted you will tell your mates so.

Subject: RE: Help: fret buzz
From: 53
Date: 18 Feb 02 - 12:36 PM

I like the action on my acoustics low which promtoes a little fret buzz, for me I love it. I sometimes play hard and then that causes it to buzz evn more, so i'll just adjust the truss rod a little and that will usually take care of the buzz. Each player will have to find his own medium in the neck of the guitar and believe me you will. good playing.