Open high E string buzz

[Fuego]

Open high E buzzes when played. Sounds like it's hitting a fret but I can't see it touching. Neck is a bit too flat, so I'm gonna adjust the bow and maybe shim the nut a lil. U guys think that will cure it?

 

[glip22]

In players position fret the high E at the third fret with one hand and check the clearance at the first fret. There should be a hair. If its not hitting a fret it's your nut or nut slot.

 

[snowdog]

Might just be a bad string, change it.

 

[glip22]

Might just be a bad string, change it.

True. First thing to do is this

 

[Chester Nimitz]

Either the nut or the 1st/2nd fret.

Spring & fall i usually tweak my truss rods.

 

[xzyryabx]

this DROVE ME NUTS FOR AGES!!!
I even ended up doing a fret level on a custom shop guitar with stainless steel frets TWICE b/c I tried everything else (well...almost!) and I was about to smash my favorite guitar on the wall....


...turned out the be the floyd saddle...there was a burr there that was making the sound when the string vibrated....took a file to it and smoothed it out and voila, no more noise.

Try EVERYTHING before doing anything irreversible.

 

[glip22]

this DROVE ME NUTS FOR AGES!!!
I even ended up doing a fret level on a custom shop guitar with stainless steel frets TWICE b/c I tried everything else (well...almost!) and I was about to smash my favorite guitar on the wall....


...turned out the be the floyd saddle...there was a burr there that was making the sound when the string vibrated....took a file to it and smoothed it out and voila, no more noise.

Try EVERYTHING before doing anything irreversible.

Saddles can do it also. Whenever I have weird buzz on the open strings I know its a saddle or the nut. Mostly in the E and B strings. Believe it or not I have replaced the nut and it still did it. Replaced it a second time and fixed. The newer Floyd nuts are inconsistent. Once, recently, when the nut and saddle replacement did not fix it, I went as far as replacing the nut and the entire Floyd. It's perfect know. Floyds can be crazy. I know what to do but for some it can be infuriating.

 

[messenger]

I had a GOTOH Tele bridge that buzzed. Was the saddle spring.

 

[Lord Toneking]

My Wolfgang was doing the same thing. It turned out to be a saddle

 

[xzyryabx]

this DROVE ME NUTS FOR AGES!!!
I even ended up doing a fret level on a custom shop guitar with stainless steel frets TWICE b/c I tried everything else (well...almost!) and I was about to smash my favorite guitar on the wall....


...turned out the be the floyd saddle...there was a burr there that was making the sound when the string vibrated....took a file to it and smoothed it out and voila, no more noise.

Try EVERYTHING before doing anything irreversible.

Saddles can do it also. Whenever I have weird buzz on the open strings I know its a saddle or the nut. Mostky in the E and B strings. Believe it or not I have replaced the nut and it still did it. Replaced it a second time and fixed. The newer Floyd nuts are inconsistent. Once, recently, when the nut and saddle replacement did not fix it, I went as far as replacing the nut and the entire Floyd. It's perfect know. Floyds can be crazy. I know what to do but for some it can be infuriating.

ha.
that reminded me, I actually changed out the whole floyd and the nut too!
That's actually the part that drove me mad....fret level (twice), new bridge, new nut, what the hell could be causing this!
To make things worse everyone of my friends couldn't hear the buzz (sitarish kinda sound).
Wouldn't wish that experience on my worst enemy!

 

[stdio]

Ug, my Jem does this too, sounds like it is around the 10th fret, thanks for the info!!

 

[Fuego]

Thanks guys for the info. So can I swap the two outer saddles to check if the sitar syndrome goes away? What about shimming the nut? There's a lil room between then string and the first fret when open. Not a lot though. Promise to report back when this is solved, but this is the the next step. Thanks, Clay

 

[glip22]

Thanks guys for the info. So can I swap the two outer saddles to check if the sitar syndrome goes away? What about shimming the nut? There's a lil room between then string and the first fret when open. Not a lot though. Promise to report back when this is solved, but this is the the next step. Thanks, Clay

It's not your height more than likely. It sounds correct. It would be the nut slot itself. Replace The nut. That is probably it. The saddle could be it also but usually it points more toward saddle when there are odd buzzes on the fretted notes. Open strings usually means nut but not always.

 

[Fuego]

rep from FR said put a piece or folded paper under the strings at the nut edge. If it works it's a finish or imperfection problem on the nut. Gonna try when I get home.

 

[RockyStar]

It could be any number of things. Frets, nut, truss rod, saddles, etc. Make sure you hydrate/condition your guitars as well because if they become too dry they can shift...or too moist for that matter. Take care of your stuff and often times that resolves a lot of issues. (not saying you don't take care of your gear).

Good luck with resolving the issue. I know those issues can be incredibly frustrating.

 

[LLEADD]

rep from FR said put a piece or folded paper under the strings at the nut edge. If it works it's a finish or imperfection problem on the nut. Gonna try when I get home.

I've heard of this fix before can't see how it will work, I'm not exactly sure what the paper is doing. Did he elaborate?

 

[glip22]

rep from FR said put a piece or folded paper under the strings at the nut edge. If it works it's a finish or imperfection problem on the nut. Gonna try when I get home.

I've heard of this fix before can't see how it will work, I'm not exactly sure what the paper is doing. Did he elaborate?

That will act as a barrier on a poor slot for troubleshoot. String will still ring. The slot or even the finish on the nut in the slot cn case pinching if it's not smooth.

 

[XSSIVE]

rep from FR said put a piece or folded paper under the strings at the nut edge. If it works it's a finish or imperfection problem on the nut. Gonna try when I get home.

I've heard of this fix before can't see how it will work, I'm not exactly sure what the paper is doing. Did he elaborate?

It's not a fix, it's a test to see if that's the problem area. Floyd nuts sometimes have tiny little rough spots in the metal from the casting or a little build up from the plating process and usually folding some sandpaper over and running it through the front edge of the slot to clean the bottom where the string rests will take care of it and fix the problem.

 

[chunktone]

rep from FR said put a piece or folded paper under the strings at the nut edge. If it works it's a finish or imperfection problem on the nut. Gonna try when I get home.

I've heard of this fix before can't see how it will work, I'm not exactly sure what the paper is doing. Did he elaborate?

It's not a fix, it's a test to see if that's the problem area. Floyd nuts sometimes have tiny little rough spots in the metal from the casting or a little build up from the plating process and usually folding some sandpaper over and running it through the front edge of the slot to clean the bottom where the string rests will take care of it and fix the problem.

This compensates for a slot that's cut too deep. If this eliminates the buzz, i'd have a new nut installed. I prefer bone nuts. ymmv

 

[Fuego]

Back again. I put small piece of unfolded paper between the nut (placed under the clamp, not in the slot) and it worked. So it's the nut. Now, is it a rough or uneven spot, or needs a shim. Gonna sand paper the nut under the clamp and in the string slot and then shim if necessary. What grit sandpaper would y'all use? Thanks,Clay