How much relief should be at the first fret?

My D string is rattling when plucked firmly and unplugged. I'll go through the setup again tomorrow with a new set of strings. It's a new guitar that I setup to factory specs a couple weeks ago. Only does it when it's open and only on that string.

My guitars are set up for 0.015"-.0.020" action at the first fret. My guess is that your 3rd string nut slot is cut too deep.

Sounds like the nut slot is too deep. To tell for sure, fret the D at the third fret. Look at the string at the first fret. There should barely be a gap. I'm talking a piece of paper. If the string touches the fret it will buzz while open.

Look here (http://frets.com/FretsPages/Musician/GenSetup/NutAction/nutaction.html).

Permanent fix - replace the nut; good temp fix - fill the slot with baking soda and drop some super glue on it, then file it down and don't go quite as deep. You could shim the whole nut with some paper, but then you'd probably have to deepen the other five nut slots.

have you tried fretting the D at fr#3 and seeing if there any air gap under the D string at your fr#1....? get down close/side on and check the gap by eye,,,

my D is pretty well on fr1 when I fret at 3.... and there is no perceptible fret buzz anywhere, plugged or unplugged.... ,though the smallest air gap is better........ my bridge action is low as well....

good neck, I guess... 30 yrs old too....;)

Could just be a bad string, seen it before.

Sounds like the nut slot is too deep. To tell for sure, fret the D at the third fret. Look at the string at the first fret. There should barely be a gap. I'm talking a piece of paper. If the string touches the fret it will buzz while open.

Look here (http://frets.com/FretsPages/Musician/GenSetup/NutAction/nutaction.html).

Permanent fix - replace the nut; good temp fix - fill the slot with baking soda and drop some super glue on it, then file it down and don't go quite as deep. You could shim the whole nut with some paper, but then you'd probably have to deepen the other five nut slots.

What, if any, other tricks has anyone used for raising the bottom of a nut slot that may be too low. I realize we're talking about a very, very small amount of lift on that string so I'm curious about other temporary fixes some have used successfully.

Could just be a bad string, seen it before.

Me too. If this is the first time you've had this rattling, change that string first. Otherwise it definitely sounds like a nut problem.

My D string is rattling when plucked firmly and unplugged. I'll go through the setup again tomorrow with a new set of strings. It's a new guitar that I setup to factory specs a couple weeks ago. Only does it when it's open and only on that string.

I never understand why folks are so into factory spec. Every guitar requires it own setup. I never use any type of measurement tool to determine string height. A straight edge to set the action before the setup and then the string itself during the setup. A guitar string at tension is better then any straight edge out there. Everything else should be by eye or what you hear.

.020

I checked this morning and it looks like I have plenty of clearance. I'll change the strings today. I am actually wondering if it is the break angle over the nut. I didn't put this set on, so it sits almost in the middle of the hole in the string post. I usually go with a few more wraps. I guess it could just be a bad string. We'll see.

As for the factory specs, you have to start somewhere, especially with limited experience doing it.

More than none and less than too much.

What, if any, other tricks has anyone used for raising the bottom of a nut slot that may be too low. I realize we're talking about a very, very small amount of lift on that string so I'm curious about other temporary fixes some have used successfully.

You can cut a sliver of a business card and place it underneath the nut to shim the whole thing 1mm or so

What, if any, other tricks has anyone used for raising the bottom of a nut slot that may be too low. I realize we're talking about a very, very small amount of lift on that string so I'm curious about other temporary fixes some have used successfully.

lift the string out of the slot. Put a tiny piece of paper into the slot and replace the string. Paper hanging out the front of the slot might dampen the string and you'll have to adjust.

-- h