String (not guage) issue...

[mamm7215]

Hey all, I just put new strings on my new IBJL Casino. The ones on when I got it seemed a bit dead, so no biggie. I know going over it when I first took it out of the case, it was de-tuned for shipping with the bridge action VERY high. I set the action down to spec and even a bit below and wow, plays like butter NO BUZZING anywhere even set below spec. Can't say that for my strat. Anyways, I put on a set of Everly B-52's, recommended by a guy at the guitar shop.

Says they are a bit louder because the metallic formula is more magnetic. Whatever, sounds good. I've read some good things about them other places so I tried them. The issue at hand is the A string buzzes from the 4th to 7th fret. Not a lot but it's there. I know it didn't buzz at all with the original strings. NO buzzing on the low E string anywhere. Even if I bend the E up to where the A buzzes, it doesn't buzz. Could it be just a bad A string? I've honestly never had

a bad single string, I don't think. Same guage replacement as well. Originals were 0.010's as are the B-52's. They are definitely "stiffer" feeling than the originals, I chalked that up to the firmer metallic construction.

Anyhoo, just thought I'd ask, I put a straight edge on an I can't for the life of me see any kind of a high fret anywhere.

I'll probably just put another set of another kind on tomorrow, just wondering if anyone's had single string issues before...

[bonzoboy]

I've bought string sets that had one or two dead strings but I've never encountered buzzing.I haven't had any string problems since I switched to D'Addarios years ago.

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[TWANG]

It's not the Everlys for sure.

Epis are, in my shop, notorious for fret problems exactly in that area.

Most likely the older strings were just stiff and these are nice and new.

 

you might have a not so hot crowning job..

or you can use a credit card.. see if you can place an edge across three frets.. if the middle one is high. it will rock a bit..

 

if the crown is not well done.. too flat. that will make some noise too.

 

I do epi frets quite a bit and it's always on the a string from 3 or 4 fret up.

 

I love Everlys!

[Strumbone]

It's not the Everlys for sure.

Epis are' date=' in my shop, notorious for fret problems exactly in that area.

 

I do epi frets quite a bit and it's always on the a string from 3 or 4 fret up.

 

I love Everlys!

[/quote']

 

Then I guess we all play the same stuff, or else those are some very popular notes! Sorry Twang... couldn't resist.

[IbbysB4Epis]

I have had a bad single string buzzing issue. I put EB 10-52's on my AS93. The "A" stringed buzzed at the third, fourth and fifth frets only. I did not have buzzing with the previous set. I replaced the "A" string and the buzz was gone...a bad wound string.

[mamm7215]

I'm going to try another set, prolly just another set of the B-52's, or maybe I'll try some Cleartones. I did the credit card thing and it didn't rock anywhere. I've got a 6" machine ruler set I may try to double check with. You don't even notice it amped up but I play a lot acoustically with it and

notice it there.

Thanks for all the replies...

[Gordy01]

Sometimes the bridge can be out a bit also. What I'm

talking about is the individual saddle height. A part of every good set up

is making certain the tops of the saddles match the neck radius.

If your bridge "A string" saddle is a bit low that too can cause buzz problems.

This can be rectified by filing the other saddles lower, and re-adjusting the bridge height.

But before you do that, change the string and see if it helps.

[mamm7215]

Thanks, good advice. I did actually change the strings. When I got it there was no buzz, but I don't know how long the strings were on or if they'd been played. The guitar was made March of this year and the owner sold it once it was received so it wasn't played much, if at all. The state of the setup when I received it suggests to me it was never played. In any case, the strings I put on were Everly B-52 10-46. Suspecting a bad string, I put on Cleartones 10-46 next. Still buzz on A but not quite as bad. I could try D'addario's or DR's but I may also have a tad of a high fret on the 8th. Also, what do you use to file the slots, I don't have a proper guitar file. I think I'd rather have it in for a good fret level/polish than attempt a bridge filing by myself.

[Gordy01]

If you have high frets, it might not be as easy a repair as you'd think.

A good tech would be able to lower high frets.

 

If you use a short (4 inch or 6 inch) straight edge, it is easier to determine if you have a high fret.

You move it from one end of the neck to the other, trying it on every fret, to see if it rocks anywhere.

It will rock on the high fret. You could use a fret crowing file to knock it down, or file it

down with a flat file and then crown it.

But this all depends on you having the proper tools.

 

To answer your question, you can file the bridge saddle down with the same file you use on a nut.

These can be ordered from stewmac. Or sometimes you can buy guaged files at a local hobby shop.

One that specializes in clockworks might have them. The bridge saddle height adjustment should

be part of any good setup.

 

If you are interested in doing some or all of your own work, I highly recommend getting

a book called: "Guitar Player Guide To Repair".

This will give you a lot of info and you will see if you have the aptitude and ability to proceed further.

 

Otherwise, as one of the forum members Muzikron says, "Support Your Local Tech".

[mamm7215]

K I just did another quick check with one of my small engineering rules (6") and there is a definite rock at the seventh fret at the A string so in to the local tech it goes...