Help! EBMM JP6 Briidge fretting/buzz

[David Corrales]

EBMM JP6 Bridge fretting/buzz

Hi again everyone,

During the last times I've been experiencing an increasing buzz/fretting noise with my EBMM JP6 guitar. The problem happens primarily with the G string, both open and in -any- fret position. But it's happening on pretty all the other strings as well. Here's how a recorded sample of how it sounds:

EBMM JP6 Buzz by davidcorrales on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free

The sounds are (first clean, then distorted):

• Open G string
• Open B string
• A string, 10th fret
• D string, 10th fret
• D chord

I've been searching the net for clues and tried all the regular stuff, namely:

• Truss rod: tried both tightening and loosing it. When loosening it, the washer between the adjustment wheel and the neck was loose and I could easily move the wheel with my finger.
• Nut: put a small piece of paper on the nut slot for the G string to effectively raise up by a significant amount. It felt really high compared to the rest of the strings and was not touching any fret at all.
• Intonation: adjusted the intonation of the offending strings to be the same at the 12th fret.
• Bridge: heightened the bridge by a considerable amount (it has always been at the same level as the body).

I believe the noise is coming from the bridge itself (or the saddles) but I'm running out of options on what to do. Any pointers will be greatly appreciated

Thanks,
-David

 

[Lou]

Check the saddle height screws on the G string to make sure they are both in contact with the base plate. If that doesn't help - call EBMM customer service.

 

[captain kirk]

Check the saddle height screws on the G string to make sure they are both in contact with the base plate. If that doesn't help - call EBMM customer service.

+1, check the saddle heights. That's where the problem was for me and now it's gone, works great

 

[David Corrales]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies!

Sadly I tried moving the G string saddle up/down and no good. Also tried tightening the others to no avail. Finally I tried playing with the battery (using the mono electric side) but still buzzes horribly.

I'm sad.

 

[beej]

If you can't get it to adjust properly on your own, I strongly suggest you email the EBMM customer service dept. They'll help you get sorted out. Or take it to a local tech. But none of us have seen the guitar, so there's not much advice we can offer except talk to the pros.

 

[David Corrales]

Hi Beej, thanks for chiming in. You're about the lack of visual guidance so I took pictures:

12th fret:
24th fret:
24th fret with a pick underneath (does not touch the strings):
24th fret with pick, different angle:
Bridge:

As you can see the current action is very high, which is not how it should and it still buzzes a lot. Previously I really never touched anything except the springs in the back when changing strings to keep the bridge leveled.

 

[fbecir]

Hello David

It's clear with such a string height that the buzzing does not come from a contact between strings and frets.
Thus, the problem comes from the bridge or the nut.
Did you try to "mute" the tremolo springs ? (for instance with a piece of cloth)
Sometimes the springs can resonate with the strings.
What string gauge are you using ? Did you try another gauge to see if the buzzing is the same / worst / better ?

As beej said, CS will surely gives you better information.

Good luck

 

[David Corrales]

I tried restraining the springs with my hand but I'll try the cloth. The strings I'm currently using are Elixirs 10-46 which I've used for some time now without issues until recently.

I already sent an email to CS on Friday and I'll be waiting on their response.

 

[Adam_D]

To me, it doesn't sound like it's your trem springs from the clips. On the distorted open G string, you can tell there's something else resonating along with the spring.

Play the open string to make it produce your buzz, and feel around all your hardware on the guitar checking to see if anything vibrates or feels loose.

It also sounds like the fretted notes are choking out which is strange to me, given the action height. How old is the guitar, do the frets have any wear on them? Also, I don't think that the truss wheel should be movable by finger! How's the neck look, is it bowed or arched? Or is it dead straight?

 

[David Corrales]

I bought the guitar used around 3 years ago in pretty much mint condition. I'd say that frets are in good shape and when it's a fret issue it's more around an area than the whole guitar. That's why I don't think it's a fret in particular.

The neck had a slight bow but I loosened it all the way to see if it would help. Now it's back to a slight bow.

I'll try to find some more stuff today... I got a reply from customer service but it was a generic "Contact your dealer" thing. Being in Costa Rica there's no EBMM dealer here hehe.

 

[christheasian]

[*]Truss rod: tried both tightening and loosing it. When loosening it, the washer between the adjustment wheel and the neck was loose and I could easily move the wheel with my finger.

This was happening with my friends JP7. The truss rod wheel isn't functioning properly. You need to tighten it a bunch to get it to start doing it's job. So tighten it until you can tell it's bowing, then go back.

it's so hard to explain.

 

[David Corrales]

Hey Christian, thanks for the input! I have indeed re tightened my neck back to it's normal state

I got a reply for customer service stating that the tech thinks it's either a neck backbow or a buzzing piezo saddle. I'm inclined to blame the saddles as that's the point where I hear the problem coming from. I've measured my relief by pressing the 2nd and 17th fret simultaneously and there's a gap, meaning that the neck looks fine. I'll get a big ruler to rule this out (pun intended!).

I'm also thinking of raising the bridge to a ridiculous height and using a shim at the nut to completely rule out the neck as the strings wouldn't have the chance to come in contact with the neck when ringing.

 

[Aleph]

Hi!
Sorry to bring back to life this thread but I'm getting the exact same problem with the G and low E strings with both of my JP6 and wish to know how you solved it if you did, of course.


Thanks!
Aleph

 

[DrKev]

As we constantly say here, us forumites can't accurately diagnose a problem like this without the guitar in front of us. Call or email Customer Service. This is what they are there for, let them help you.

If your guitar is still under warranty, the store you bought it from will look after you too. A reputable local guitar tech or luthier should be able to accurately diagnose the problem too.

 

[Aleph]

Hi!
Sorry I just wanted top know how it went for David Corrales to get a hint. My guitar is still under warranty. Problem is that I purchased my jp6 bfr in the States but live abroad (Mexico).

Do I void warranty by taking it to a local luthier?

Thank you!

 

[jvh]

If the truss rod, bridge height , and nut has been ruled out then as stated the piezo saddle or possibly saddle retainer clips? I'm not sure if these bridges have retainer clips. I would suggest a youtube clip of the problem would help. Play open string and then fret up the fretboard to show buzz consistency. Petrucci guitars are setup so low that sometimes a minor truss rod adjustment(adding relief) can cure the problem. When adjusting the truss rod please be careful and make minor adjustments. If you overtighten and hear a popping noise that's not good!!!!!!!!

 

[David Corrales]

Hey guys Chiming in to report my experience (well, what I recall hehe!).

I contacted EB support and they told me to contact the dealer for Latin America (I think it's located in Miami). They informed me that I would need to send the whole neck if I wanted a new one.

EB support also told me that I could send in the bridge and they would change the piezo saddles ($35 each + S/H).

In the end I got new strings (Slinkies instead of Elixir) and got used to it lol

 

[Jgmesa1981]

Hello David
I noticed something With this guitar (I also have a EBMM JP6). With a buzz that is not associated With The strings also check The tremolo bar. It is one of The loose things that may produce resonation. In my case it was The problem, obviously not a big one but is better to know that your U$2000 guitar is Ok.

 

[David Corrales]

Jqmesa, thanks for the comment. It's been a while since I checked out this thread

I had my guitar serviced and got a fresh polish/leveling plus a calibration and it's better now. I normally don't use the trem bar when practicing and still was getting the buzz.