Hardtail Mustang Open String Fret Buzz

[jonlucman82]

Hi All,

I have a issue that is puzzling me. I built a hardtail mustang style partscaster. In order to get it to play well the set up specs are quite a bit different than my tele and strat.

My issue has been with the low E and somewhat A string. When strummed a little heavy the string will buzz, but not right away. It is toward the end of the vibration. It's almost as if it just loses control at the end. How I've addressed it is to go from 9's to 10' but also I've raised the nut and bridge saddles. It doesn't play horribly (sounds great!)but the specs as I said are much different than any other guitar I own(nut height, relief and action at the 12th fret are a bit higher). The frets are level.

I don't mind the action and relief but I'd like to try to get the nut height lower (currently about .25 on the E string). Every time I lower the nut slot the problem arises again. I'm thinking I may need to try 11's and see if that helps?

Is this common with 24" scale length guitars? Am I overlooking another issue besides nut height, relief and action at 12th fret? Could this type of hardtail bridge be problematic?

Thank you!

 

[AndrewG]

The string vibration envelope excursion with a shortened scale will be greater because of the lessened tension. See below; scroll to 'action':

Guitar Scale Length & Why It Matters

There are so many different elements that go into guitar design. Each of these has an impact on the way that a guitar looks, as well as how it sounds and feels to play. Some

www.stringsdirect.co.uk

Strings vibrate in an elliptical fashion, and given equal string gauges the excursion of the ellipse will be greater with 24" than 25.5".This is the issue you are experiencing. Try a heavier gauge, maybe 11s, and see if that helps-and be wary that an action set too low will exacerbate the buzz and you may have to increase the neck relief to accommodate the increased vibration, and try raising the action on the bass side a little. In the video below, note the wider vibration pattern from the bass strings, Nice guitar, btw.

 

[jonlucman82]

That is very thoughtful response. Thank you so much! I'll try some 11's and see if I can't lower that nut some.

 

[thechad]

Maybe even try 12s. I like 9s on my strat and tele, but they feel like slinkies on my mustang. You might enjoy the really thick strings on yours as well!

 

[Matthias]

That style of compensated saddle can do that if they are set high… that front angle becomes a bit shallow. Does the neck sit high in the pocket, either through the pocket depth or being shimmed?

 

[jonlucman82]

That style of compensated saddle can do that if they are set high… that front angle becomes a bit shallow. Does the neck sit high in the pocket, either through the pocket depth or being shimmed?

I've put a .25 shim in it to get a better action. Perhaps I need to try it again with out it.

 

[Boreas]

Clear side shots of the bridge and neck at the pocket would help.

If everything was routed correctly, you shouldn't need a neck shim. Not that it is the end of the world, but it may be why you are having buzz issues.

BUT - as noted above - 10s on a short-scale guitar will be buzzy. I wouldn't go lower than 11s. If you play hard, a low action may not be a good choice.