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preston
New
Username: preston

Post Number: 4
Registered: 1-2006
Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 4:55 pm:   Edit Post

Hello all.
I've got some nasty buzzing on my Series I beyond the 12th fret... mostly on the E and G strings. Is this a forward bow issue?
Thanx.
preston
New
Username: preston

Post Number: 5
Registered: 1-2006
Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 4:57 pm:   Edit Post

BTW. E string buzzing begins at about 12 and G buzzing begins around 15th.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 5938
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 6:45 pm:   Edit Post

I tend to think that it may more likely be bridge height. But it wouldn't hurt to try loosening the truss rod nuts an 1/8 of a turn just to see what happens. If you haven't already, you may want to review Joey's Setup Post in the Must Reads section. And for further illucidation, try this classic from the Must Reads.

(note: I'm not actually sure illucidation is a word)
dfung60
Advanced Member
Username: dfung60

Post Number: 292
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 8:45 pm:   Edit Post

I'd agree with Dave on this one. The most likely problem here is that the bridge height is too low. The other possibility is that you have a high fret or warped fingerboard in the high fret area.

Getting the action to be the height you want and buzz-free is a delicate combination of relief in the neck and bridge height. If you don't have enough relief then it doesn't matter how high you raise the bridge, you'll still buzz. Conversely, if you have the bridge too low, it won't matter how much relief you dial in, it will still buzz on the higher frets. The buzz is coming from the vibrating string hitting a fretwire somewhere above where you're fretting.

I'd try raising the bridge first to see if you can eliminate the buzz that way. If you have to move it a long way (more than 1/8") then the problem is probably more serious. If the high fret action seems reasonable after raising the height, but the low and middle ranges have action that's too high, then you need to reduce the relief to bring things back into alignment.

If you really have to crank the bridge up a long way or even the high register of the neck has high action when you eliminate the buzz, then you probably need to look at the fretwork to see if there's a high fret or bump in the fingerboard, something that will probably require a pro to fix. If you're lucky, it may just be a matter of reseating a loose fret or filing the high fret down a bit. If it's really a bump in the fingerboard, then you'll probably have to refret the instrument to fix this.

In this case, you probably want to attack the bridge height first and not tweak the truss rods. If the problem was that the bridge was just sitting too low, then you'll probably end up tightening the trussrods rather than loosening them.

Good luck,

David Fung
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 5944
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 8:55 pm:   Edit Post

Agreed.
cozmik_cowboy
Advanced Member
Username: cozmik_cowboy

Post Number: 246
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Sunday, January 06, 2008 - 8:24 am:   Edit Post

Close, Dave - the act of making clear is elucidation.

Peter
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 5946
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Sunday, January 06, 2008 - 8:39 am:   Edit Post

Hah! Thanks Peter!!
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 2832
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Sunday, January 06, 2008 - 8:57 am:   Edit Post

Illucidation: noun - Learning something new that makes you realize you made a big mistake.

Bill, tgo
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 5948
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Sunday, January 06, 2008 - 9:06 am:   Edit Post

IllucidationTM
byoung
Senior Member
Username: byoung

Post Number: 894
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Sunday, January 06, 2008 - 10:04 am:   Edit Post

Thanks goodness I'm not the only spelling bigot here. I'm glad, too, that most people here are accommodating about corrections-- I thought I was going to be in big trouble the first time I sent a correction for the web site.

Whew!
preston
New
Username: preston

Post Number: 6
Registered: 1-2006
Posted on Sunday, January 06, 2008 - 10:33 am:   Edit Post

Ah...
I so appreciate your elucidation
It has greatly augmented my edification
As I am no longer wrapt in consternation
I move forth, ready to vanquish my, uh...
BUZZIFICATION!

Thanks all. I'll let you know who it goes.
preston
New
Username: preston

Post Number: 7
Registered: 1-2006
Posted on Sunday, January 06, 2008 - 10:35 am:   Edit Post

Dang it!
who = how
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 5949
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Sunday, January 06, 2008 - 11:26 am:   Edit Post

LOL! Nice response Preston.

BTW; for a short period of time, you can edit your posts by clicking on the little icon at the top right of the post.

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