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G string buzz on a Bluegrass Standard-some questions
June 8, 2010 - 6:51pm
hey folks
went and played the used Bluegrass standard CA the other day. Took some DR rare med gauge strings and put on it. Here's what i found. with the low saddle, the G string has a fretbuzz going on somewhere. Checked nut slot depths and the G string was 0.14-lower than all others. B was 0.16/high E was 0.16
The buzz happens with a hard attack fingerstyle and with a pick. no other string buzzes with the low saddle. So i assume the neck is straight. Checking the fret ends by eyesight, both sides appear straight and come right to the top of the bridge. i did not check string height at the 12th, simply played a lot up and down the neck and on occasion would get the G buzz.
I like the guitar a lot, the dealer came down to $798 from $1289(over 3 weeks period). Everything else looks in great shape on the guitar. I did not check fret height but i suspect there is an uneven fret or frets and a simple fret level/recrown would do the trick. the buzz happens with open strings or fretted so that takes the nut height out of it-right? but i would still cut a new nut and make all the depths as i like them(from low E to high E,i like; 0.21/0.20/0.18/0.17/0.16/0.16)
Any other suggestions? have i missed anything?
Thinking of going back and taking a 6" ruler to check fret height all over.
I also think i could get this for $650.
what say ye?
thanks
daryl
June 9, 2010 - 4:09am
#2
I worked at CA and ran the manufacturing. We saw the condition you are describing rarely. If it is buzzing on the G only, I would make certain of the following:
1. Check the nut slot and make sure the string is not binding and getting caught. you can open it slightly or rub some graphite lead pencil in the slot to act as a lubricant.
2. check for a high fret. Using the scale is a good way. It may just need leveled.
3. Also we have noticed that there is a harmonic on the G when strummed hard that can make it sound like a buzz when it really isn't.
Steve
June 9, 2010 - 8:08am
#3
Great advice here. Let me just add that for $10 you can buy a replacement nut from Michael and give that a try. If the buzzing goes away, then just get a new setup with the new nut to set the action where you like it.
June 9, 2010 - 10:37am
#4
it is such a great deal! go for it. if you don't buy it, please tell us. i'm sure some people would jump for it inmediately. it is way below the retailer price
there was a post about (more or less) the same issue. please search a bit on the forum. it was mostly when using a capo on the high frets, but can be the same problem. it was solved with a bit of work on the nut
June 9, 2010 - 1:45pm
#5
folks
thanks for the replies. Steve, thanks for your passing on that knowledge.
i called marty at The Podium today, heard he was pretty up on working jobs on CA's, he recommended i check the level of the frets and also the saddle, mentioned the radius of the saddle might be off and since i have it on the lowest saddle, the height may be wrong for that G string.
thanks really a lot folks, and if i don't get it i will pass on the location
daryl
June 9, 2010 - 1:47pm
#6
Paper_Kitten wrote:
it is such a great deal! go for it. if you don't buy it, please tell us. i'm sure some people would jump for it inmediately. it is way below the retailer pricethere was a post about (more or less) the same issue. please search a bit on the forum. it was mostly when using a capo on the high frets, but can be the same problem. it was solved with a bit of work on the nut
thanks for that info, i'll search for it, if by chance anyone comes up with that thread please stick its location here for me.
thanks again
daryl
July 26, 2010 - 9:40am
#7
Lot of good advice here. Just an idea. Put a drop of super glue (some mix in some baking soda) in the 3rd string slot and file it down again to where it should be. It will get you by a long time till you can figure out if the buzz goes away etc. Your preference string heights should work but I would add a thousands to all of your numbers for starters. I checked my Legacy and am at 024 022 019 019 018 018 but i use a heavy pick. I could be wrong but my woodie formulas dont seem to apply to CA's for some reason. These guitars really vibrate the strings. Or it could be my imagination. (Which runs wild sometimes) A Bluegrass for $800 or less??? Did you buy it???
$650?! Go for it! If you decide not to, pass along the name of the dealer to me!
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