Help! EBMM JP7 Buzz on Open D String

[Dr.Strangenote]

first of all, AMAZING instrument, one of my favorites!!!

When I first got this guitar about a week ago, everything seemed fine and dandy. The other night I was jamming, and played some chords, some sparkling cleans, open string stuff and all, and happened to notice that the D string seems to buzz only on the open string. When I press on the 1st fret, it's gone. I've adjusted the truss rod to the point where there is no relief any more and the truss rod wheel sits loose as can be. The action is higher now too which I wouldn't prefer that and go back to the way it was. When I adjust the truss rod, the buzzing goes away, but not completely.

I've been reading up on this and is it possible that my nut needs to be raised? I haven't a clue where to begin on these EBMM's. It's only the D string, perhaps because of the radius on the fretboard. I've tried to raise up the trem just a tad, but that doesn't seem to solve the issue so I've lowered that again, the string tension allows the trem to sit level, a hair towards the neck so it's raised just a bit. Problem is just with the D string open. I've also tried to even replace the string thinking it's the string causing the problem, no dice on a fix yet.

Any trick that you guys know of on a simple fix? It's so annoying and makes it sound like a sitar!

thanks all! thanks again ernie ball!

 

[Pott]

To tighten the neck you need to tighten the rod; I'm not familiar with the MM's truss rods as much but it seems awkward to me that to get rid of relief the wheel is now loose..?

Based on what I'm reading, I'd assume you've actually loosened the neck and therefore added relief, which explains the hgher string height.

I would be very careful with these adjustements under tension.
Either way, an open string buzzing is almost always a sign of the nut being too low. However it could be a variety of other things; slightly raised first fret, weird neck warping... not things I would expect to find on such an instrument mind you.

I'd start the setup from scratch: no relief at all, set the E and e saddles to the height you want, then the middle saddles, and see from there.

 

[Dr.Strangenote]

Sorry, thanks.. I meant, added relief by loosening the truss rod. I've also raised the bridge saddle on the D string too, thinking that due to the radius of the neck, perhaps that might do the trick, no dice.

 

[Pott]

At this point I'd start the setup from scratch:

1) if you have 009s on, try 010s
2) start with straight neck, restring
3) set the E strings first, then the middle strings following the fingerboard radius
4) add a little relief; quarter turn at a time
5) adjust to taste

If the open D still buzzes, then very likely the nut slot is too low.

 

[yellowv03]

Fret the string on the 4th fret and see if you have any clearance over the first fret. There should be a tiny gap. If not the nut slot is low.

 

[patpark]

1- Call customer service
2- it could be some dirt or dust built up into the slot causing a sitar like buzzing. The slot needs to be cleaned.
3- Call customer service

 

[Dr.Strangenote]

thanks for the suggestions. So, I did what was suggested about the 4th fret and it appears that there isn't a gap or at least the string doesn't ring when I pluck it on the opposite side of the 4th fret (closer to the headstock). Since the gap is so slight, I wanted to be sure that a gap exists, so I plucked the string, slid my finger down to the 5th, back up to the 4th and 3rd frets to hear the note on the other side change. On my other EBMM's, everything is good, but on this one, it's dead on the D string, good on the other strings.

So, now that I know the nut is low? What's next? I can still call customer service but I work during the day and cannot do anything hands-on until when I get home. I have no idea how to service an Ernie Ball nut, Ibanez no problem, but these nuts I'm not sure on what to do without screwing something. Any tutorials out there?

 

[straycat113]

I would agree with Pat and when you have a five minute break at work call CS and explain the problem and I am sure they will walk you through it. The only other advice I could give is take it to a good tech that is familiar with EB guitars and let him have a look at it. There always comes a time no matter how handy you are where someone with more experience will be needed sooner or later even for something that seems simple, as the more you tweak the more you may be effecting something else.

 

[Dr.Strangenote]

I called CS, and Billy gave me some pointers, but sounds like the Nut is cut too low. I ordered a new one and will get it in about 1 week. Does anyone have any good luthiers that they could recommend in the NE Philly Area. Closer to Yardley, Newtown, Langhorne, Bensalem, PA area??

 

[Mikeg72]

I had a similar problem, the solution was to adjust the truss rod. You would turn the truss rod counter clockwise 1/8 turn if you're getting buzzing. That should take care of it.

Mike

 

[Fun111]

^Open string buzz is rarely a truss rod thing.

What he did was correct, I would have said he needed a new nut because if it's too low you can't add nut... I'm glad CS sorted you out dude

 

[Dr.Strangenote]

I had a similar problem, the solution was to adjust the truss rod. You would turn the truss rod counter clockwise 1/8 turn if you're getting buzzing. That should take care of it.

Mike

Thanks for the suggestion: I did adjust the truss rod, to the point where tons of relief was added to the neck, making the truss rod screw (wheel [or whatever technical term EB calls that]) was loose all the way, making the action high as a mountain on all strings, and D string still buzzing.

 

[beej]

Hey, it happens. Glad CS sorted you out.

 

[fbecir]

Dr Strangenote ... with such a name don't be surprised if your guitar does strange notes ...

I hope your guitar will be fine soon !

 

[Dr.Strangenote]

I got the new nut the other day from EB! thanks guys! Now, I'm looking for a good tech in the PA/NJ area. I'm not that far from Philly, but would like to stay out of the city. I'm located in Yardley, PA and wouldn't mind taking a drive someplace who works well on EBMM guitars. Setups are one thing, but a nut replacement is another. I was referred to Guitar Center in Langhorne PA. Anyone have any advice, good or bad about them? Any other place that's recommended? I used to live in Hamilton, NJ and don't mind driving out that way or the surrounding area either.. TIA.

 

[beej]

Well, if you can drive 2-3 hours (and if he's not on tour with Deep Purple) ... you can always buzz Tommyindelware. His work is stellar.

 

[bazxkr]

You got that right Beej... if Tommy is good enough for Steve Morse he is good enough for anyone. And he knows EBMMs like the back of his hand, nothing like familiarity with a manufacturers design and nuances, so if he is available that would be a great call. Might even get guitar fixed side by side with the revered SM No 1 haha.. how about that for having your axe in great company. With a quality guitar it is worth paying for the best people like Tommy if he has the time.

Cheers
Baz

 

[Dr.Strangenote]

I got the guitar back from Bill @ GC in Langhorne PA. He did a fabulous job! I'll recommend him to anyone in the area. The stealth plays insane! Great setup, one of the best I've played, this guy knows EBMM guitars! Thanks for all the help here. I would have posted yesterday once it came home, but I just couldn't stop to post!! \m/