Question about fret buzz...

cmaccall · November 14th, 2003, 05:40 PM

Ah fret buzz, why must you always return to haunt me...

I was setting up my MIM Standard Tele with heavier strings (10-52, versus the stock 9-42 or whatever) and encountered an odd problem with fret buzz. I am getting a fairly heavy fret buzz on the A string when fretted (the entire length of the fretboard) but not when open. The saddle height doesn't seem to make a difference and neither does the neck relief, the buzz remains. Any thoughts? Could this be the nut slot needing recutting for the heavier string and a proper break angle? Thanks for your thoughts.

Dennis_UK · November 14th, 2003, 06:16 PM

...when the buzz is only present on fretted notes. High fret right at the body end? Something on the saddle that starts a buzz only when the string is angled down by fretting? Suppose this one could be made worse with a bigger angle, ie if the string wasn't sitting in the nut slot correctly as you first said. Hmmmm...

Just guesses, there are far more kernowkedgeable folk around...

cmaccall · November 14th, 2003, 06:51 PM

I forgot to mention: wherever I fret the A string it has plenty of clearance over the next fret, so I don't understand where the buzz is coming from, unless it is from the frets behind where it is fretted... which it could be. The action is medium/high right now.

Strat82 · November 14th, 2003, 09:52 PM

does this happen all over the fretboard or just in a particular area?

there could be one or two frets that are high, and i might just be very hard to tell

i'm sure kevin can give you some good advice.

Soapbarstrat · November 15th, 2003, 09:47 AM

If that was sitting on my bench, I'd probably hook up a multimeter to it. Putting one clip on the A string behind the nut, then touching the other probe/clip to each fret, while plucking the string. Probably in the playing position ( I got jigs that hold it that way

). Then maybe, I'd hear the multimeter "beep" at a certain fret or frets.
I'd also use various straight edges to see if I can do a little rocking.
You might also just want to put a different A string on and see what happens. Strings are pretty cheap, so they are sometimes defective.

November 14th, 2003, 05:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
cmaccall TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 52	Question about fret buzz... Ah fret buzz, why must you always return to haunt me... I was setting up my MIM Standard Tele with heavier strings (10-52, versus the stock 9-42 or whatever) and encountered an odd problem with fret buzz. I am getting a fairly heavy fret buzz on the A string when fretted (the entire length of the fretboard) but not when open. The saddle height doesn't seem to make a difference and neither does the neck relief, the buzz remains. Any thoughts? Could this be the nut slot needing recutting for the heavier string and a proper break angle? Thanks for your thoughts.

November 14th, 2003, 06:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dennis_UK Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Calstock, Cornwall, UK Age: 56 Posts: 715	Can't imagine it's a nut problem... ...when the buzz is only present on fretted notes. High fret right at the body end? Something on the saddle that starts a buzz only when the string is angled down by fretting? Suppose this one could be made worse with a bigger angle, ie if the string wasn't sitting in the nut slot correctly as you first said. Hmmmm... Just guesses, there are far more kernowkedgeable folk around... __________________ Fender MIM Precision, all black, 2004. Fender MIJ Precision, '51 RI, Butterscotch, 1996. Squier VM Precision TB, 3TS, 2007 Markbass CMD121H 1x12 combo plus 1x12 ext cab My band: The Rock'nRoll Outlaws

November 14th, 2003, 06:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
cmaccall TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 52	Oh and... I forgot to mention: wherever I fret the A string it has plenty of clearance over the next fret, so I don't understand where the buzz is coming from, unless it is from the frets behind where it is fretted... which it could be. The action is medium/high right now.

November 14th, 2003, 09:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
Strat82 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: In the Southwest Age: 27 Posts: 374	all over the fretboard? does this happen all over the fretboard or just in a particular area? there could be one or two frets that are high, and i might just be very hard to tell i'm sure kevin can give you some good advice.

November 15th, 2003, 09:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
Soapbarstrat Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: USA Posts: 168	If that was sitting on my bench, I'd probably hook up a multimeter to it. Putting one clip on the A string behind the nut, then touching the other probe/clip to each fret, while plucking the string. Probably in the playing position ( I got jigs that hold it that way ). Then maybe, I'd hear the multimeter "beep" at a certain fret or frets. I'd also use various straight edges to see if I can do a little rocking. You might also just want to put a different A string on and see what happens. Strings are pretty cheap, so they are sometimes defective.

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