Backpackers Guitar

Subject: Backpackers Guitar
From: bet
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 08:04 PM

Boy, I don't know much about guitars and hope some of you can give me some hints on how to fix the sound. I bought a Martin's back packer guitar and am having trouble with the sound on the D string. When I pick G on that string it buzzes. That seems to be the only note that it does that on so don't really have any idea what's going on. Other than that I really love the instrument and need to really spend some time getting friendly with it. Thaks for any suggestions. bet

Subject: RE: Backpackers Guitar
From: Gary T
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 08:22 PM

My thought would be to have it looked at by a luthier. It may be in need of adjustment, which should be fairly easy to deal with. If there is some actual defect in the instrument, the luthier could establish that as well.

Subject: RE: Backpackers Guitar
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 08:22 PM

The sixth fret must be a fraction high. Someone's here is bound to tell you what you can do about it, there's people know everything on this site.

But if you can find someone who fixes up guitars as a profession or an obsession, that might be better than learning how on your pride and joy; it should be pretty easy to correct, for someone who knows what their way round fixing guitars...

Subject: RE: Backpackers Guitar
From: bet
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 09:02 PM

Right, thanks for the ideas. I just hate to sound dumb when I take something in. I guess that goes back to cars when they need repaired and you get a lot more repaired than you really needed. bet

Subject: RE: Backpackers Guitar
From: catspaw49
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 09:12 PM

Hi bet....Assuming that's your only buzz, its as Mac said and the 6 fret is a bit high on that side. It may not have been properly pressed, but the way to fix it is to file it. Its easy to take a bit off, but you don't want to remove too much, so use a VERY fine file. Frankly, you can use a finger nail file if you donn't mind a little extra time. file only the area under that string....not the others. First, tape off with some masking tape the area adjacent to the fret. Both sides of the fret.....This protects the fret board. File a bit and then try it. Stop when the buzzing stops. Its not hard.....REALLY!!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Backpackers Guitar
From: WyoWoman
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 09:26 PM

Could it be that the configuration of the fretboard is sufficiently different from what Bet is used to that she isn't pressing as hard with her fingers in that particular position? I'm asking because my guitar, now that I'm actually starting to play it, buzzes a lot. I do think some of this is that the action is too low, but I also notice that it does this when I forget to really mash down on the strings (I'm still strengthening my fingers -- much better than when I started a while back, but still, my left hand is amazingly weak...)

I don't know how much you play, Bet, but I just wonder if it's something physical rather than mechanical, if that makes sense...

WW

Subject: RE: Backpackers Guitar
From: bet
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 10:20 PM

Thanks WW, that's not the problem. Catspaw! Thanks, I was wondering how to file and not get the rest hadn't thought about tape. I might be brave enough to try it, I sure can't let it continue the wasy it is, it bugs me.

Subject: RE: Backpackers Guitar
From: bigchuck
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 10:28 PM

Bet, I've seen some Martins that have the angle that the string crosses the saddle shaped a little off, which can cause the string to buzz on the saddle itself a bit. Any competent repair guy can tell you in about three seconds if it is a high fret or not. For lots of info on buzzes, noises, ect. visit frets.com.
Sandy

Subject: RE: Backpackers Guitar
From: catspaw49
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 10:43 PM

Yeah, there are a lot of "buzz" problems, but if its only related to one fret and as WW said, your fingering is OK, then its probably just a fret standing a bit high....they don't always get pressed correctly. One other possibility....have you changed strings? Try a new string first, before anything else. Long shot, but it happens.

Frets.com IS a great site and its in the regular links under "Instrument Related" with a hot link.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Backpackers Guitar
From: Oversoul
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 11:07 PM

If the "buzz" is only on one string on one fret, it is probably a nut/bridge problem. Send it back.

Subject: RE: Backpackers Guitar
From: bet
Date: 23 Oct 00 - 09:39 PM

Thanks for all the great ideas and suggestion. Next time I'm in Grand Junction or Casper I'll take it in and see what they say. At least I won't sound as dumb as I will feel. Thanks for the help!net

Subject: RE: Backpackers Guitar
From: GUEST,cookielessguinnesschik
Date: 23 Oct 00 - 10:06 PM

Check out Jed's article on alternate tunings for backpackers on his webpage at

Subject: RE: Backpackers Guitar
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 23 Oct 00 - 10:57 PM

I bought a backpacker a few months ago, and the strings were too high off the fretboard for my small hands. I took it back to the store where I bought it, and a guy lowered it for $10 and had it done in three days.

Your guitar has a one-year warranty, so you can probably take it back and get the problem fixed for nothing. Buzzes, after all, are not a matter of personal preference, they are a flaw.

Subject: RE: Backpackers Guitar
From:
Date: 24 Oct 00 - 05:20 AM

Don't forget that the strings on the BP are very light. If the action isn't high, or the strings are not tuned up to pitch (440, say), the G string can buzz just because it is too loose.

Murray

Subject: RE: Backpackers Guitar
From: GUEST,les(uk)
Date: 24 Oct 00 - 01:26 PM

Buy a Baby Taylor, or better still the new Big Baby Taylor, brilliant