buzzing on one string only, not fret buzz?

[mccoshan]

I have a fairly faint but audible buzzing sound on the third string of my archtop. Raising or lowering the bridge does not seem to affect the buzzing and none of the other strings buzz which brings me to believe it is not just normal fret buzz. Also it isn't a problem with nut as it still buzzes even when fretted at various points

[neatomic]

it's the bridge saddle slot..too wide/deep for string...causing sitaring effect...fairly common

cure depends on what kind of bridge you have...but fill the slot a bit, and the buzz should disappear

cheers

[rlrhett]

Almost always a bad nut slot. Could be something else, but in my experience a well cut nut is essential, often overlooked, and often solves the mystery one string buzz. It is also what separates the pros from the hacks among guitar techs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mccoshan]

Almost always a bad nut slot. Could be something else, but in my experience a well cut nut is essential, often overlooked, and often solves the mystery one string buzz. It is also what separates the pros from the hacks among guitar techs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If it is the nut slot what should I do to fix the nut slot add a shim?, file it down?

Sent from my LG-H871 using Tapatalk

[rlrhett]

A nut slot can slowly wear bringing your string too low. They can also be cut too wide or too flat. Any of these can cause a "sitar" sound even if you are fretting.

The solution is usually crafting a new nut from a bone blank. Not usually a DIY project, unless you happen to have a set of nut files.

There are some hacks, like filling the slots with bone dust or baking soda and then putting a drop of CA glue. But in the end it is often penny wise and pound foolish. A new properly cut nut is the first and absolutely critical step in a proper setup.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mccoshan]

Alright thanks

Sent from my LG-H871 using Tapatalk

[sgosnell]

The nut slot must be cut so that the highest point in it is the front, where the string departs the nut for the bridge. If any point behind that is slightly higher, or even the same height, you can get buzzes and poor intonation. The angle should be exactly parallel to the headstock, never the fretboard. The slot really has to be done properly, and it's precision work. It's not beyond the capabilities of anyone who can use tools, but it does take time and care.

[rio]

The baking soda/bone dust in super glue can be much easier than dealing with a new nut. Do it correctly and you just have to file one slot and not 6. I don't think it is foolish and if you are careful it is not that hard.

When playing acoustically can you hear from where the buzzing is coming? Down by the tailpiece, bridge, neck? Does it buzz when playing the open string? On some frets or all frets? Does your neck have relief or is it straight?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Matt Cushman]

If you have a buzz on the fretted notes or a buzz on one string while using a capo that would indicate the bridge as the possible culprit as suggested by neatomic. A problem at the bridge will effect every note on a string. The nut can be checked by placing a capo above the first fret and then checking each string for any buzzing.

[docbop]

Throw it out there since it recently happened to me. I was getting this buzzing noise when playing certain notes or area of the neck. I need to get my frets looked at they are starting to show wear and went out to my repair guy. Told him of the buzz so together we both try to figure out where is was coming from and even removing one pickup thinking it was from there. Eventually he notices the label in my guitar is starting to peelup some, the pickup wire was getting under the peeled up label and was acting like the strainer on a snare drum. So move the wire and drop of glue on the label and all is well.

So once you eliminated to common problem source look for the unusual, an archtop is an acoustic and will amplify everything vibrating.

[rlrhett]

One thing that begs to be said: diagnosing a buzz is hard enough when you have the guitar in front of you, impossible over the Internet. You have gotten a bunch of suggestions for buzz that seems to be independent of fretting. The bridge, the nut (which can buzz even behind a fretted string), loose wires, a label coming unglued, etc.

Your only real option is to begin experimenting and eliminating options. If you are unsure of your ability to properly set up the guitar or diagnose problems with the nut or bridge, take the guitar to a good tech. And no, that would not be Guitar Center.

[docbop]

One thing that begs to be said: diagnosing a buzz is hard enough when you have the guitar in front of you, impossible over the Internet. You have gotten a bunch of suggestions for buzz that seems to be independent of fretting. The bridge, the nut (which can buzz even behind a fretted string), loose wires, a label coming unglued, etc.

+1

Your only real option is to begin experimenting and eliminating options. If you are unsure of your ability to properly set up the guitar or diagnose problems with the nut or bridge, take the guitar to a good tech. And no, that would not be Guitar Center.

Finding noises on archtop is detective work, I keep pieces of cloth to use to mute suspected parts have become good at pressing on things while plucking strings. Small screwdriver to tighten or loosen parts. Not always something solved in one session. Patience helps.

[neatomic]

cheers

[rlrhett]

^^^^ That. But you have to know what is possible and impossible first and how to tell them apart.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[neatomic]

^^^^ That. But you have to know what is possible and impossible first and how to tell them apart.

nobody ever said it was easy!!

hah



cheers

[ChrisK]

I bought a gibson 175 recently and it had a buzz on the fourth string around frets 7-9. This was not coming from the frets but from the main body of the guitar. Buzzing is probably not the right word to describe it, more like an overtone like a chorus effect. It was audible both plugged in and unplugged and it was driving me crazy.

It took me a week to realize that when I was touching lightly the bridge pickup the buzzing went away. The problem was that the bridge pickup cover was a little loose and was vibrating sympathetically with certain notes.

Finally I solved the issue by sliding a piece of a business card between the pickup cover and the ring.
These kind of problems take a lot of patient to isolate but once you find where they come from it is really easy to fix them.

[mccoshan]

It seems I was mistaken I filed the tuner side of the nut down a small bit and the buzzing is solved thanks for the help

Sent from my LG-H871 using Tapatalk

[rlrhett]

It seems I was mistaken I filed the tuner side of the nut down a small bit and the buzzing is solved thanks for the help

Sent from my LG-H871 using Tapatalk

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[oldane]

The problem was that the bridge pickup cover was a little loose and was vibrating sympathetically with certain notes.

Finally I solved the issue by sliding a piece of a business card between the pickup cover and the ring.
These kind of problems take a lot of patient to isolate but once you find where they come from it is really easy to fix them.

A classic. I have for 40 years had a piece of a sax reed wedged between the PU and the PU ring to stop the bridge PU from buzzing on my 175.

[emanresu]

My Tele has a buzz(not frets or bridge) with lower strings. Can it be the truss rod?
Sounds faint when unplugged and it doesn't get picked up by pickups. Just curious and don't want to worry much about opening the whole thing.

[Matt Cushman]

My Tele has a buzz(not frets or bridge) with lower strings. Can it be the truss rod?
Sounds faint when unplugged and it doesn't get picked up by pickups. Just curious and don't want to worry much about opening the whole thing.

Truss rods do rattle or buzz sometimes it is most often from the TR nut being loose. I have a homemade stethoscope I use for locating unwanted buzz or vibrations on guitars and mandolins. You can locate a problem buzz quickly with one. Auto mechanics use a similar device for diagnosing engine problems.

[sgosnell]

The truss rod shouldn't vibrate if it's tight. If it's completely loose, it can, but if the nut is tight and the rod is providing tension as it's designed to do, there should be no buzz from it. There are many, many things that can buzz on an electric archtop, and there are numerous threads here addressing that. It can tale patience and diligence to find the cause. The usual suspects are the pickups and springs, loose hardware anywhere, and loose wires against the top or back. But that is far from an exhaustive list.

[ChrisK]

A classic. I have for 40 years had a piece of a sax reed wedged between the PU and the PU ring to stop the bridge PU from buzzing on my 175.

So, I take it, there is nothing else to do if you want to permanently fix something like this? I was thinking maybe to try some blue tack instead of paper.

[sgosnell]

You can put foam or felt inside. You can use latex tubing over the springs, if it's the springs that are buzzing. It's a good idea anyway. Really, anything that can muffle the vibration. Sometimes it's the pickup ring that has a break, and you can either get a new ring or glue it back. It's really rather easy to break the ring by wedging things in it, so one needs to be careful. Personally, I prefer foam, because it's more effective with less pressure on the ring. Stronger springs, or no springs at all, just tubing, can be a better fix.

[ChrisK]

Thanks, these are good suggestions. At some point I will probably try some foam. For now, my es-175 plays like a dream with just a little piece of paper between the PUP and the ring.