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buzzing anyone?
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Author:  coach [ Fri Nov 02, 2012 8:42 am ]
Post subject:  buzzing anyone?
Hey guys,

I just finished #4, an experiment of sorts. I took a Seagull Dread I had and based my body shape on that, although only 4 3/8 deep, with 12 fret neck, and 24.75 scale. Anyway, learned alot on the way, with the main lesson being always come up with a written plan before starting, or at least a template. :)

It sounds awesome, with a rich deep bass, trebles are ok but I know it will open up more with some more playing. It sounds awesome for about 5 minutes and then I start getting a buzz on my A, D, and G strings at the 5th, 6th, and 7th frets. I first though I had some high frets, but no. I've checked my relief, and it's fine, about 1/16th, the string balls are firmly pulled up to the bridge plate, and I'm now confused.

Any ideas?
Author:  jfmckenna [ Fri Nov 02, 2012 9:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: buzzing anyone?
What is your action at the 12th fret? Could be you just have too low action. Does it have a truss rod? If so was the rod fitted well and caulked if necessary? Are your tuners tightened up? Could be a lot of things.

I built a guitar that had a similar problem. It would play fine and then start buzzing. It turned out to be the truss rod rattling and was a real PIA to fix. I will always caulk truss rods now. But anyway if it is the truss rod then when it starts to buzz just tweak the rod a hair and if it stops the buzz then there's your problem.
Author:  coach [ Fri Nov 02, 2012 10:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: buzzing anyone?
I'm just wondering why it doesn't buzz from the beginning? Anyway, I did put a little caulk in the truss rod slot first, before I installed the rod. Is that how you do it? The rod fit the slot perfectly, but I will try to tweak it a little and see if that works.

Thanks
Author:  ChuckB [ Fri Nov 02, 2012 12:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: buzzing anyone?
Try tightening your truss rod and get the relief down to around .010" max. 1/16" is .0625", too much relief. After setting relief, set the action height.

Chuck
Author:  Bryan Bear [ Fri Nov 02, 2012 3:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: buzzing anyone?
1/16" of relief is a lot. When you are fretting at frets 5, 6 and 7 it is just like having a hump in the middle of the board. Straighten the neck and I bet your problem goes away, you may be able to lower the action after that too.
Author:  John Coloccia [ Fri Nov 02, 2012 3:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: buzzing anyone?
Maybe because you're picking harder or your fretting hand is getting tired and lazy. Pay close attention to your left hand and pick attack and see if anything changes after you warm up.

And 1/16" is a HUGE amount of relief.
Author:  jfmckenna [ Fri Nov 02, 2012 5:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: buzzing anyone?
coach wrote:
I'm just wondering why it doesn't buzz from the beginning? Anyway, I did put a little caulk in the truss rod slot first, before I installed the rod. Is that how you do it? The rod fit the slot perfectly, but I will try to tweak it a little and see if that works.

Thanks

YEah it's not the rod then. Pull that relief out and maybe raise the saddle. I'm still curious to know what your action is. I typically set up to 3/32in on the low-e tapering down to 1/16th on the high-e for steel string guitars.
Author:  Jeff Highland [ Fri Nov 02, 2012 6:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: buzzing anyone?
Chuck is right, you have far too much relief
If you then put your 12th fret action to a standard setting, your string to next fret clearance is actually too low when you get to the middle of the neck and above.
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