John Petrucci 6 String.. BUZZING

[imagesandwords]

Hello Everyone. I own a John Petrucci 6-string, with Piezzio. The Guitar for the most part sounds GREAT! However, there is killer buzzing going on when I'm playing on the 8th Fret. I am using Ernie Ball 10Gage strings, which the guitar is set up for.

Am I doing something Wrong?

Thanks.

 

[bing4sons]

Has it been a while since the neck was adjusted? It may have too much relief (neck needs straightened).

 

[imagesandwords]

Here's the thing. I bought it used, but it is in Like new condition. When i received the guitar, there was no buzz, then I changed the strings, and that's when the buzz started. I took all the strings off to replace them(which i know was a mistake now).

Do you think the neck may have got out of whack when I changed the strings. Which way just i adjust the neck?

 

[jongitarz]

Hi..Welcome to the forum! If it buzzes around the 8th fret, you probably need to add more relief to the neck...When you are holding the guitar as if you were playing it the wheel would need to be turned up towards you. Do it a bit at a time and wait 10-15 min between adjustments. Good Luck!

Jon

 

[imagesandwords]

How much and and many times should i turn it.

 

[bing4sons]

How much and and many times should i turn it.

About 1/4 turn at a time. Tune back to pitch and play it to see if it's adjusted OK. I would follow John's advice above.

Here is text on how to set up a JP, from the FAQs:

Q: How do I set up my John Petrucci guitar?

A: When restringing, turn the tuner's holes toward the corresponding nut slots. This will keep the strings as short as possible for more stable tuning.

The next step is to check the relief in the neck by holding the lowest string down on the second fret with your fretting hand; then hold it down on the 12th fret with your right thumb and tap on the string on the middle of these two points to show how straight the neck is. It should be no more than the thickness of a thick business card, no more than that, though it can be less. If there is no relief a little pressure in the middle of the neck should take care of it. If it does not, feel free to contact us.

With the guitar tuned to pitch in the playing position and looking down the body, the top of the body, the top of the bridge should be parallel (both front to back, bass to treble side) to or slightly higher than the body with the bottom still recessed. The saddles should not come in contact with the cover and the intonation screws. If this occurs, lower the saddles and raise the bridge. After every adjustment, it is necessary to re-tune the guitar.

Factory string setting for standard tuning starts at the bass side 2/32" (0.0254m) to 5/64" (0.127m) and the treble side is 3/64" (0.0762m) to 2/32" (.254m) measured from the 12th fret to the bottom of the strings. The top of the strings should have the radius of the fretboard when you are looking at the strings in the playing position and by rotating the instrument while at the same time bringing strings into view one at a time. Remember, string height is ultimately determined by your preference and playing style, as well as the string gauge and tuning (if you you use an alternate tuning). Again, after every adjustment it is necessary to re-tune the guitar, to give you a starting reference.

Now, you are ready to play your guitar. If a string buzzes on an open string to the 5th fret and no higher, more relief is needed. If there is more buzz from the 5th to the 12th fret, the neck needs to be straighter. You should check the string height after every adjustment. If the buzzing happens throughout the neck, the string height needs to be increased.

When setting up, always consider all of the other changes that will occur with every adjustment, starting with step one, tuning up after each step you take.

For intonation, check the harmonics to the fretted note on the twelfth fret If the fretted note is sharp, you need to make the string longer by turning the intonation screw for that string (located on the tail end of the bridge) clockwise, counter-clockwise if the fretted note is flat.If you turn the screw counter-clockwise, always turn the screw clockwise afterwards. (If you don't play much above that fret, you can skip the next step). Also check the harmonics at the 19th fret after the twelfth fret is set, repeating the procedure above. Make sure that the string is coming off of the saddle straight and not at an arch.

 

[imagesandwords]

I am a bit confused. The post you just sent says that the neck needs to be straighter.

If a string buzzes on an open string to the 5th fret and no higher, more relief is needed. If there is more buzz from the 5th to the 12th fret, the neck needs to be straighter. You should check the string height after every adjustment. If the buzzing happens throughout the neck, the string height needs to be increased.


Does that mean i have to turn it the opposite way john says.

Sorry guys i'm new at this.

 

[bing4sons]

I am a bit confused. The post you just sent says that the neck needs to be straighter.

If a string buzzes on an open string to the 5th fret and no higher, more relief is needed. If there is more buzz from the 5th to the 12th fret, the neck needs to be straighter. You should check the string height after every adjustment. If the buzzing happens throughout the neck, the string height needs to be increased.


Does that mean i have to turn it the opposite way john says.

Sorry guys i'm new at this.

I am confused about that as well. Maybe Jon can clarify. Jon is the expert.

The thing I always do, is to put a capo on the 2nd fret and press down on the low E string at the 12 fret, like the FAQ says. in the middle, between the two points, the string should clear the fret by a distance between the thickness of a credit card and a piece of paper. After removing the capo, the distance between the bottom of the 6th string and the top of the 12th fret, should be about 2/32nds of an inch (I bought a small ruler at Home Depot to check this). The 1st string should also by at about 2/32nds of an inch.

From this point, it should only take one or 2 turns (1/4 turn at a time), either way, to get rid of any buzz. If that doesn't do it, the buzz is probably coming from somewhere else.

I have always followed the FAQs in the past, but I usually either experience buzzing in the 1st few positiions (needs relief), or in the 10-12th positions (needs straightening). If you turn the truss rod one way, the problem should either get better or worse. If it gets worse, turn it the other way (remember just 1/4 turn at a time).


To straighten the neck (i.e. tighten the truss rod) turn clock wise, to add relief, turn counter clockwise (this is when looking at the guitar from the playing position). You just want to be sure not to over do it, as you can break the truss rod.

 

[imagesandwords]

Is there anyway I can find an authorized repair place for this problem. I don't want to mess with the truss rod too much. I'd rather someone who know's what they are doing look at it, and set it up properly.

 

[Warg Master]

you say you changed the strings....what gauge did you put on there?

 

[imagesandwords]

At first i put 9's on there. Then realized that the trem was sitting too low, and that the tension that the 9's were giving was too little. So i took those off and put standard ernie ball 10's on there.

 

[Warg Master]

You could have left the 9s... just remove a spring and adjust the claw... I have 9s on my petrucci with no probs... I was going to suggest the gauge change as your source of buzzing, but since you have the 10s there, that's not it..... we need jon in here to clarify the truss rod adjustment... I have experience with it, I'm just not too good at articulating it.....

 

[imagesandwords]

Yeah, Jon sent over some directions. But I was confused on which way to turn the truss rod. There were conflicting directions on what to do.

 

[imagesandwords]

still buzzing

Well, I have tried everything. I had adjusted the truss rod, and it doesn't seem to do any good, the 8th fret still has a horrible buzz. I have returned the truss rod to it's original position, because it just kept getting worse. Do you guys think that maybe the 9th fret is a little high? Should I go to an authorized repair man? Thanks.

 

[ex3.8]

HOLD YOUR HORSES!!!!!
I would look for a good, no a very good tech or even better a luthier to do a top notch set up complete with fret dressing and all
It seems that you may have a fret that needs evening out.
Anyway. For an instrument of tha value i would bring it to a pro.

Where are you located?

 

[imagesandwords]

I'm in Northern NJ(bergen county), right outside of manhattan. Does anyone have any suggestions on a good set up man I can bring this guitar to.


Thanks in advance.

Kirk

 

[OrangeChannel]

There's a mysterious guy by the name of Manny in NYC that does amazing setups. He charges like $65 or so a setup. Good stuff. Theres also a guy named Paul Von Schmidt in Danbury CT at the Guitar Hanger...

http://www.guitarhanger.com/docs/customshop.htm

 

[imagesandwords]

65 bucks isn't bad at all! Any idea where I can find Manny? Number, address, beeper number, hahahaha?

Thanks for the help.

Kirk