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string buzz
Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 11:10 am
by carpet
Lads and Ladettes,
Can someone who knows how to maintain a guitar enlighten me a little. My D string has started buzzing when fretted from the 3rd to 9th frets. What causes this, and how is it fixed?
Thanks,
Carpet
Re:string buzz
Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 3:10 pm
by jayswett
My limited understanding of this is that the shape of the guitar neck changes very slightly with the seasons, so it is common to notice buzzing strings as the seasons change. The fix depends on several things, but your problem likely can be addressed just by changing (raising) the saddle. My local guitar repair guy tells me that some people have a summer saddle and a winter saddle. I hope this helps. If I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will jump in and set us both straight.
Re:string buzz
Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 4:16 pm
by carpet
cheers. it most likely is the saddle. I'll get a new one and try it out
Re:string buzz
Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 4:30 pm
by wadestar
I have one guitar that buzzes from the 12th up, I know my problem is the truss rod but I do not know how to adjust it. I do not have the tool or knowledge on which way to turn it, so it just hangs on my wall. Now you have me thinking of trying changing my saddle to just a bit taller.
Re:string buzz
Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 4:31 pm
by MarkM
Jay is most likely correct. I would make sure the guitar is properly humidified as well. If left out of its case for a while or not maintaining a humidity level of at last 40% RH you will get fret buzz.
MarkM
Re:string buzz
Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 4:38 pm
by carpet
Wadestar - get an allan key that fits it and turn it anti-clockwise in quarter turns, test the buzz after each turn, and stop doing it if it's not working after a full few turns (courtesy of Guitar for Dummies)
Re:string buzz
Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 6:23 pm
by wadestar
Thank you I Will try that, I have some keys maybe one will fit thanks again for the direction
Re:string buzz
Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 8:27 pm
by AndyT
Make sure that when you turn the truss rod you give it 15 minutes to settle in it's new position before checking it.
Re:string buzz
Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 10:25 pm
by wadestar
Well it is a great campfire guitar now. Run out of wood throw it on!
Re:string buzz
Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 11:55 pm
by AndyT
And only go 1/8 turn at a time.