Buzzing on Casino

[Coup]

Hi.

 

I have an annoying buzz on on my Casino. Its on the A and low E strings and buzz's from the first fret up to the fourth fret.

At first i changed the bridge to a Gotoh Nashville that didn't work, although it did change the tone and feel for the better.

I can't see any raised frets so now i'm thinking of changing the nut.

Has anybody else had this problem.

Help please.

[animalfarm]

First thought is that you have a slight bit of backbow on

the neck - had set up done yet?

If you're sure the neck is ok, there is possibility that nut

is cut too low for E and A, but I'm still leaning torward the

neck based on info you've presented so far...

[Coup]

The neck looks fine and there doesn't seem to be a back bow in it.

This guitar is second hand and the nut doesn't look as though it is the original.

Think i'll have to pay £40 for a guitar tech to look at it.

[mamm7215]

Please post a reply on what he finds...

[Dave]

Fret the 1st and the 15th frets and press down on the 8th. There should be some clearance there in the range of .000 to .015 inch. If not, you have a backbow. If there is clearance in that range, raise the bridge. Try a new set of strings if the clearance looks right. You can also try fretting on the offending strings one at a time all the way up the neck. On each fret, hold the string fretted and press slightly on top of the next fret. In every case, there should be slight clearance on the next fret. Once you find the one where there's no clearance, it's the high fret. The fret with no clearance may be not seated properly or just high. If it's seated all the way, it will require filing and dressing.

 

Try new strings first. Sometimes the windings just loosen and cause a buzzing sound. I've fixed that problem on my LPs twice by replacing almost new strings. You can also use the business card trick. Place the business card across 3 frets at a time and check by trying to rock the card back and forth. There should be no rocking. Once you find the high fret, it will be in the center of the three and the card will rock back and forth to the lower and higher of the three. Adjusting the truss rod might ease this, but you need to address the high fret if you find one.

[Gordy01]

One quick way to check the height of the nut is to

put a capo on the 4th fret, but close to the 3rd so the strings are held

down on the 3rd. If the strings are touching the 1st fret your nut is too low.

[bonzoboy]

I had the same problem with my G400 Custom,I brought it to my tech,who said it was common in Eppys and he just tweaked the truss rod,it's been great ever since.Apparently humidity changes can cause this.

------------------------------------------

[mamm7215]

I just tweaked mine last night and got a lot of my A string 4-7 fret buzz out by reducing my relief. I'd just read an interesting article by a luthier with all kinds of measurements supporting LESS relief is better than more (without going into backbow). So I tightened mine up a bit and there's still about .005" relief but it's better. Less isn't better if your nut isn't right but my nut on my new Casino seems to measure out just fine. What's interesting is that when I started, I noticed that the truss rod adjustment was very loose, like it wasn't even tightened up. Don't know if anyone else has found this...

[mamm7215]

Update for anyone going through similar issues...did a careful level check and found a high fret at 7th fret. Will be taking to tech.

All the best...

[vomer]

Mamm, what Dave said should hold true- if relief is too little, i.e. the neck is too flat or tending towards backbow, as you reduce your action during a setting-up you will tend to get buzzing first in the lower frets. As you have lowered your relief by tightening the truss rod and cured the problem, unless you also raised your action at the same time then it makes me assume that the problem wasn't the strings buzzing on the frets. A very similar buzzing sound can be caused by a loose truss rod. Glad to hear you're sorted.

 

 

Edit to add- I just realised there are two different people posting re. fret buzzes here- I should pay attention! So coup, before shelling out for a tech, get a feeler guage and do what Dave says. If it needs it, adjusting relief by adjusting your own truss rod is relatively easy. If you are unsure, read up on it first, there's lots of good advice out there. Once you can do it, then you can look after this aspect of your own guitars which saves cash and feels good too!

[mamm7215]

Yes, all good points. The page I referred to is here: http://www.bryankimsey.com/setup/neck_relief_1.htm - very interesting article about how too much relief actually causes less clearance at the frets closer to the body. Also, as I previously mentioned, I DO have a rocking on my straight edge at the 7th fret. Nowhere else as far as I've found and the buzzing I'm getting supports this as well. I get buzz on the A string from frets 3-7, then good afterward.

[Coup]

Guys. Thanks for your advice.

Some great tips to take on board.