fret buzz (attn: Jon)

[mhorse]

Guys, how much fret buzz do you find acceptable on a guitar?
I got my SUB back from the EBMM factory today (I sent it due to large amounts of fret buzz), and I am disappointed to say the least.
Low E and A strings buzz almost on every fret, G buzzes even when I hit it open. Only high E and B are almost buzz-free.
I have to admit the guitar plays really well - except for the buzz.
I don't feel like spending $70 to have local guitar shop fix the fretwork, but it seems like my only other option is to get rid of the guitar and buy something else :-(

 

[koogie2k]

No fret buzz is acceptable to me....my preference though. I can only say, I am just getting into fixing my gear and I can't really recommend anything. If you sent it to EBMM and it is still having a problem, maybe there is more to it than they could see.....hopefully Jon will see this and chime in.....hang in there.....

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

Does it buzz when you are playing unplugged, or when you are plugged in? Some buzz is normal when playing unplugged, but it should not be audible when plugged in.

 

[mhorse]

Buzz from low E is VERY clearly audible through the amp. Not as much on the other strings, but I can still hear it.

 

[phatduckk]

i usually sacrifice buzz for action ... im im pretty buzz tolerant. i play distorted almost all the time and the distortion masks enough buzz for me.

do a search for setup info in the forum. you can probably take care of it yourself. ebmms are pretty easy to set up due the the cool truss ros wheel thing

 

[mhorse]

i usually sacrifice buzz for action ... im im pretty buzz tolerant. i play distorted almost all the time and the distortion masks enough buzz for me.

It's 10 o'clock here, I can't really play loudly, but I can still sort of hear the buzz through distortion :-(

do a search for setup info in the forum. you can probably take care of it yourself. ebmms are pretty easy to set up due the the cool truss ros wheel thing

I did that before I sent it to EBMM - and I couldn't get rid of the buzz myself. Neither could guitar tech guy at the local shop, although he wasn't too knowledgable. I thought if anyone out there knows how to fix it would be Jon....

 

[jongitarz]

You can still sort of hear the buzz? That guitar played great when it left the factory. You will ALWAYS hear some buzzing on an electric guitar with low action acoustically. How does one hear something "sort of?"

 

[Raz]

I have to say that I go with the buzz heads on this one. I set up my guitars with the lowest possible action and they tend to buzz, while playing unplugged. However its minimal and not audible while cranked thru an amp. Perhaps the neck needs a minor tweak due to climate differences? Where do you live?

 

[mhorse]

Jon, I'll play it again tomorrow at a bigger volume to make sure buzz I hear comes through the amp. Acoustical buzz is very loud though.... Does it have anything to do with the fact that I use heavy strings?

 

[mhorse]

I have to say that I go with the buzz heads on this one. I set up my guitars with the lowest possible action and they tend to buzz, while playing unplugged. However its minimal and not audible while cranked thru an amp. Perhaps the neck needs a minor tweak due to climate differences? Where do you live?

Raz, I'm a little to the south from you, in Western Mass. The neck is painted, you think it still would be seriously affected by the climate change?

 

[Raz]

Raz, I'm a little to the south from you, in Western Mass. The neck is painted, you think it still would be seriously affected by the climate change?

You know, guitars are a funny thing. There are days where my guitars, 4 of which are EBMM's (2 SUBS, 2 Silos) just need a little more love and affection, and this is why I believe EBMM's have created the best designed truss rod adjustment known to man. If I'm not mistaken here, Mass. climate is considerably different from So Cals...plus the shipping trip, may have put a tiny bit of differential stress on the neck.
My advice to you is, learn how to do simple set ups on your guitar, afterall nobody will give it the attention that it deserves (although Jon is a genius). Besides with temperature and humidity changes constantly wreaking havoc on these guitars, once you become schooled in this fine art, you'll never have to worry again. The process is so simple that even I can do it. Don't get frustrated, simply check to see what kind of situation your neck is currently in. (also known as relief) Do this by fretting the first and 22nd fret on the low E string. Then check to see what kind of gap there is between the frets and the low E string (at the 12th fret) There should be a small gap. If there is little to no gap, (normally the reason for fret buzz) then loosen the nut or turn it counter-clock wise (the black wheel near the bridge pup) Do not turn it more than 1/4 turn at a time! Just insert a small screw driver or allen key to turn it BE CAREFUL...

What I usually do is work on both saddle height and truss rod adjsutment to get my action low and virtually BUZZ free

Here is a pic of my Silos LOW action:

 

[Mick]

1+ Raz, exactly.

And if you pla y at low Volumes you always hear the metal on metal noises.
If you like it low and have a heavy picking tec it always will buzz.

Always fret your notes as close as possible to the next higher fret this also reduces the probs you maybe have.

Maybe you can compare your sub to a 7ender squire in you local shop.
Then you know buzzing like never before

 

[CudBucket]

Low actions always buzz. Period.


Great post there Raz, but I can't see s$#t in that pic. My action on the Petrucci is 1/32" at the 12th fret. When I first got it back from Jon, it had only very slight buzzing. Don't forget, Jon set my guitar in Cali and I live in NY.

Months later, the buzz has actually diminished. Still get a little though. I haven't touched the truss rod since it came back. In fact, I've never adjusted a thing on this guitar. It's the best playing guitar I've ever owned.

 

[Raz]

Low actions always buzz. Period.


Great post there Raz, but I can't see s$#t in that pic. My action on the Petrucci is 1/32" at the 12th fret. When I first got it back from Jon, it had only very slight buzzing. Don't forget, Jon set my guitar in Cali and I live in NY.

Months later, the buzz has actually diminished. Still get a little though. I haven't touched the truss rod since it came back. In fact, I've never adjusted a thing on this guitar. It's the best playing guitar I've ever owned.

What you mean the pics not loading, or just that you can't make out what is in the pic?

 

[beej]

Razmeister- the picture loads, it's just that it's not focused on the fretboard (too close). Besides, it's pretty tough to tell the string height from a photo! I usually make a measumement at the 17th fret with a capo at the first fret. (Most of mine are 2-4 64ths depending.)

 

[mhorse]

Raz, maybe I'm green, but not THAT green! I know what a neck relief is and how to adjust the neck!!!!!!!!!! I'm not a pro, but still!!!!!!!!
After about half an hour of tweaking I was able to get the buzz down a little while mantaining reasonably low action. The action is higher then it was when I got it out of the box, but now I can't hear buzzing when playing through the amp.

 

[songman]

Jon,
Do you to setup on all guitar built at EBMM before it ships out?

 

[CudBucket]

Jon,
Do you to setup on all guitar built at EBMM before it ships out?

Oy.

 

[CudBucket]

What you mean the pics not loading, or just that you can't make out what is in the pic?

It's blurry-ass, baby!

 

[phatduckk]

Jon,
Do you to setup on all guitar built at EBMM before it ships out?

dont mean to speak for Jon .... but i beleive Jon does repairs and all builds/setups for artists (aka famous folk) & whatever goes in for repair. prod guitars go thru the setup dept (which, i think, Jon used to run but now he just makes camios there .... currently Jon IS the repair)