Buzzing problems - Low E and A strings

[Scruffbag]

Hi people

I need your help.....Please....Oh go on!!!

Basically the low E and A strings are buzzing around the 3-5 frets.

All other stings are fine and higher up the fretboard seems to be ok. I have tried adjusting the truss rod to add some relief however whilst this helped the buzz slightly, it caused buzz higher up the fretboard and also the other strings.

It's been like this ever since I got it, however I always thought it was a technique problem as it had a setup before it came to me - but when I run it through the amp or into Garageband, I can still hear the buzz. I have tried playing with a lighter touch (though I don't play heavily) and using pick/fingers, however it doesn't help. It's just very odd as it's only those frets on those 2 strings.

I have had a look at other posts on the forum re: buzz and tried tweaking the truss, however I'm reluctant to start changing the saddles as Azzy did this to her bass and it did more harm than good!

Ideas anyone? We want to go back to the tech and have him watch me play and then set it up accordingly, but would like to avoid this if possible - plus I should learn to do this stuff myself

 

[candid_x]

Sounds like there's still not enough relief in the neck. I think it's a sign you're on the right track if the buzz moved from low to higher on the neck.

I'd eyeball the neck lengthwise, until it appeared to be dead flat, then adjust saddles from there. May not be exactly technically correct, but it works for me.

 

[ivanmihaljevic]

Maybe your string action is just too low!
I've posted the truss and intonation adjustment procedures here a few times in the past few months already, but here it goes again:

The way I set up the truss rod is:

Press the G string on the first fret with your left hand, and with your right hand press the G string right after the last fret. Then look at the distance between the string and the frets between 7th to 9th. The distance between the string and the frets should be very very small (0.3 mm=0.012" maximum), but the string should not be touching the above mentioned frets.
If the distance is too big, tighten the truss rod (looking from the bridge side - turn the wheel clockwise).
If the distance is too small, release the truss rod (looking from the bridge side - turn the wheel counterclockwise).
Make any adjustments gradually and check the curvature the way I described it above after each 1/2 turn.


As far as the intonation adjustment goes:

To check the intonation, compare the harmonic note above the 12th fret of every string to the fretted note on the 12th fret.
If the fretted pitch is higher than the harmonic, saddle must be moved backward to lengthen string (turn the screw at the base of the bridge clockwise).
If the fretted pitch is lower than the harmonic, saddle must be moved forward to shorten string (turn the screw at the base of the bridge counterclockwise).

The strings shouldn't be lower than 1.6 mm (I typed it into a cm->inch converter and it should be something like 0,00624") measured form the top of the 19th fret to the bottom of the string.

I should put this stuff in my signature

I hope this will help you! If it doesn't work out right, find somebody more experienced in guitar setups to set it up for you! If the problem still persists contact the CS...

 

[greeny]

YOu may need to raise the saddles on the E and A strings, OR there may be problem with one of the frets (5th or 6th fret)

 

[yesandno]

Don't drive yourself nuts about buzzes OP.
Every one of the 10 or so electrics I now own, and all the ones I've previously owned, and everybody elses I've played buzz.

The only ones that don't are the egg slicers. My teacher has an expensive Breedlove
acoustic..it rattles all over. Listen to Jimmy Bruno's instructional vid when he hits notes on the low e on that expensive jazz box of his...bzzzzzzzzzzzz. How about SM's powerlines vid....listen to the rattlin' being picked up on his voice mike.

It only bothers me when notes are obviously being choked by bad fretwork. In that case I get the frets leveled and polished. There's also that comuterized Plek contraption that people are raving about.
You CAN get nice low action, if thats what you want, with minimun buzzing, but you'll need to have the frets done....even on new instruments.
Granted I don't go for boutique instruments, but below that is what I have experience with and the factory only does so much.

 

[fogman]

Trevor,

Your guitar isn't any good any more.
Send it to me and I'll dispose of it for you!
I'll even pay for the shipping.

 

[andynpeters]

Don't drive yourself nuts about buzzes OP.
Every one of the 10 or so electrics I now own, and all the ones I've previously owned, and everybody elses I've played buzz.

The only ones that don't are the egg slicers. My teacher has an expensive Breedlove
acoustic..it rattles all over. Listen to Jimmy Bruno's instructional vid when he hits notes on the low e on that expensive jazz box of his...bzzzzzzzzzzzz. How about SM's powerlines vid....listen to the rattlin' being picked up on his voice mike.

It only bothers me when notes are obviously being choked by bad fretwork. In that case I get the frets leveled and polished. There's also that comuterized Plek contraption that people are raving about.
You CAN get nice low action, if thats what you want, with minimun buzzing, but you'll need to have the frets done....even on new instruments.
Granted I don't go for boutique instruments, but below that is what I have experience with and the factory only does so much.

Can't say I agree. I hate fret buzz and my 2 Silhouettes don't have it. Neither do they have egg-slicer actions (neither for that matter do the PRS, the Rics, or the Strat, or the 335)

 

[G_Evolution]

Can't say I agree. I hate fret buzz and my 2 Silhouettes don't have it. Neither do they have egg-slicer actions (neither for that matter do the PRS, the Rics, or the Strat, or the 335)

+1

buzzes drive me bananas! Luckily I have a good luthier locally to sort 'em!

G

 

[yesandno]

I really wish I could have a look at these guitars. I read people saying on other forums " I can get real low action on such and such guitar and no buzzing".

I own some of the standard issue... tele's, strat's, les pauls, sg's, ES345, uhhh, ernie balls...fret jobs, no fret jobs, pro setups not withstanding, they all make string noise.

Fast action and standard light gauge electric strings...the strings are going to rattle against the frets. Its physics. The distance from the frets and the space needed for the string to do its vibrationatory thing....they're gonna make contact with each other.

I' really like to find another guitar thats playable and no buzzing against the frets and find out how it works.

 

[DaveB]

Mr Scruffbag,

You need to return the guitar from whence it came.

Remember the mess Azzy made of Bobby, your AL deserves better!

Seriously get it to us and we'll have it fettled to perfection.

Dave

P.S. you were lucky over the Tevez affair!

 

[Scruffbag]

Mr Scruffbag,

You need to return the guitar from whence it came.

Remember the mess Azzy made of Bobby, your AL deserves better!

Seriously get it to us and we'll have it fettled to perfection.

Dave

P.S. you were lucky over the Tevez affair!

Alright Dave.

How are you mate?

I think bringing the AL back to your gaff is the best idea...I'll try and do that asap

As long as we stay up I will be happy

 

[azzy_wazzy]

Remember the mess Azzy made of Bobby, your AL deserves better!

You cheeky little sod!

But admittedly you do have a point.... but we've not touched the saddles I promise - only the truss which is now back where it was, so ner

 

[candid_x]

I don't mind a little buzz now and then.

 

[azzy_wazzy]

I don't mind a little buzz now and then.

Neither do we, but we can still here it through the amp, so we need to get it sorted as it's not just acoustically, which Trev can live with!

 

[candid_x]

Neither do we, but we can still here it through the amp, so we need to get it sorted as it's not just acoustically, which Trev can live with!

It was just an attempt at humor.

Yes, I'm the same way. I can live with a slight amount of acoustical buzzing, if I must have the action so low, but through the amp is unacceptable.

Have you eyeballed the neck for warpage, or humps above the 12th fret? If you don't see any then a good setup guy should fix it with no problem.

 

[azzy_wazzy]

It was just an attempt at humor.

Yes, I'm the same way. I can live with a slight amount of acoustical buzzing, if I must have the action so low, but through the amp is unacceptable.

Have you eyeballed the neck for warpage, or humps above the 12th fret? If you don't see any then a good setup guy should fix it with no problem.

Sorry mate - long day today - took me over 2 hours to get home from work and I'm cream crackered.

We shall certainly take it back to Dave and get his tech to work his magic on it