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Ok - so I've got my guitar (#004) mostly set up - but am noticing that the top B and E strings have a metallic twang to them not heard on the other strings - sort of a buzzy twang - they just don't sound right.

Is this possibly a nut slot angle problem?

I could use some advice as this will be my first attempt at fixing this problem.

thanks

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P A U L B U R N E R
Burner Guitars

Open strings only or fretted notes aswell?

Not only the nut slots -but the saddle also.
Mike

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Mike Collins

Both open and fretted notes are giving this problem.

Here are some details.

1) I'm not quite done with the guitar so the frets have not been dressed in any way

2) I've also not glued the fretboard extension down yet - but the buzz/twang isn't a body buzz type sound. The neck is just bolted on with 2 bolts.

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P A U L B U R N E R
Burner Guitars

nut slot could be cut to low

ball end of the string may be hung up in the hole and not allowing the ball to seat against the bridge plate. That one can really buzz and drives me crazy. This can happen because of the windings at the end of the string. The get hung up if the slot is not wide enough or...

Have you set the intonation yet? You can get buzzing at the saddle if the top of the saddle is flat and the string can cause buzzing on the top of the saddle when plucked or strummed. The flat saddle can have a bit of a valley effect with the two thin strings having two break points on the saddle.

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You said fretted as well ,so look at the saddle.You want a sharp break on the string so it doesn't buzz on the saddle.

Thanks everyone.

I'll look at the saddle as I think it may be the culprit. I will also check those ball ends as I've had this happen before. I don't think it's that type of buzz - but hey - it's worth a look.

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P A U L B U R N E R
Burner Guitars

Can someone post a pic of what the top of the saddle is suppossed to look like? I`ve thought some of mine have been a little flat,but the intonation seems fine so I was afraid to mess with it.I also can never remember which way to file if a string is sharp or flat. james

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James W Bolan
Nashville Tennessee

James, here's an easy way to remember which way to file for flat or sharp.

If Flat, string needs to be moved Forward

Here's a picture off Frets.com



See how the saddle is nice and round at the top. This is IMO how a saddle should be shaped (I'm certainly no expert though) as it allows the string a nice ramp up to the break point and a nice drop off just after of the break point.

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Paul,
Congrats on build #4!

Don't panic or let this drive you completely crazy... especially before you have the fingerboard extension glued down, the frets leveled, the instrument set up, AND you're on at least your second set of strings.

For some troubleshooting culprits to look for, you've probably been given good advice by those who've chime in already.
Once you get the saddle with a crown on it the way you want it, polish the daylights out of it and see if the tone you're hearing is still present.

I run my fret file over the saddle, then color the entire crown of it with a pencil (or marker) and start sanding with 400 grit paper until all signs of a mark are gone. Then continue putting pressure on sandpaper with my finger (as it conforms to the radius on the saddle from the fret file) on through the grits up to 2000.

If you do the marker trick, there's no way a flat spot will survive your scrutiny.

Good luck chasing your buzz down.

Dave

Hmmm - I promise - not a highjack. just clarification.
So buzzing can be caused by a saddle that's not shaped properly?? (from the notes here, sounds like a compensated saddle with an angle (somewhere) that's too drastic - have I go that right? So, as long as I don't screw up the intonation by moving the compensation forward or back on a specific point on the saddle (assuing the intonation is OK when I start) by rounding the angles on the saddle I might eliminate a buzz???
(Let's assume I've already looked for a buzz on any frets - all are flat and not causing the offensive wasp - like karma busting sound. )

Thanks!!

Hi Corky,

No, we mean that a saddle with a totally flat top (not shaped for the intonation yet) can cause string buzzing.

With a flat top on the saddle (even a bit of a dip sometimes) the string can make contact at to points and when plucked it can cause buzzing.

The compensation has nothing to do with buzzing.

Pin pointing the intonation and making sure that fore and aft of the point slopes downward ( like this /\ ) will eliminate any potential buzz.

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"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson