Martin
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Post by Martin on Jan 19, 2013 13:01:22 GMT
My guitar has developed a very annoying buzz/rattle on the 3rd string (G) when plucked firmly. Fretting the string at any point makes this sound go away. Holding the 3rd string tuner button between thumb and forefinger also makes this noise go away. Nothing else I've tried makes any difference. I thought it might a a loose screw in the tuner button, but I've tightened that to no avail. The buzz seems as if it originates from the fingerboard, but why then does it go away if I simply hold the button between my fingers and pluck the string? Any suggestions??
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Jan 19, 2013 13:11:31 GMT
? the small retaining screws on the back of the headstock?
? the large fixing nut on the face of the headstock?
?low nut slot for G string?
(check these things for all the strings just in case it's a frequency sensitive noise, and holding the G button stops the vibrations reaching maybe another tuner which was rattling?)
? truss rod nut loose on thread?
If none of these, then you might need to look further afield!
Keith
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davewhite
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Post by davewhite on Jan 19, 2013 13:14:57 GMT
Martin,
Are these Gotoh tuners? Sometimes the nut that is screwed down onto the headstock can work loose and lets the washer underneath react to the string vibration and buzz. Check and tighten with a 10mm spanner. The fact that holding the tuner gets rid of the buzz suggests this is where the buzz is happening. The fact it doesn't happen when fretting is a little puzzling but it could be that fretting reduces the strings vibration in the length from tuner to nut by shortening that part of the vibrating length compared to the string being plucked open.
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Jan 19, 2013 14:07:49 GMT
Thanks Keith and Dave for the replies. Yes these are Gotoh 510 tuners. I've checked the retaining screw on the bank fo the headstock and it is tight. The nut on the face seems to be tight as well, but I'll look out a spanner to check. I checked the clearance between the 3rd string and 1st fret and it's about 0.25mm. I've tried playing other G notes, but it's only 3rd string played open that gives me any noise. Appreciate the ideas, chaps - thanks again Merely holding the button lightly stops the buzz/rattle completely. I thought it might be the truss rod, but then reasoned that surely it would make a noise on another string as well? It's a puzzler alright.
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davewhite
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Post by davewhite on Jan 19, 2013 14:26:34 GMT
Martin,
What happens if you pluck the third string open hard to get the buzz and then hold any of the tuner buttons apart from the third string one? Is it only holding the third string one that makes the buzz stop?
Also check what is happening with the third string between the tuner and nut - does it touch the second string tuner or any part of the first and second strings?
I'd also try taking the third string off and putting it back on again or try a new third string if you haven't already done so.
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Jan 19, 2013 14:36:58 GMT
Dave, when I hold any of the other tuner buttons while plucking the 3rd string, the buzz goes away (except when holding the 4th string button for some reason). No part of the 3rd string between tuner and nut touches any other part. I already took the string off at the saddle. but I''l maybe try to replace it entirely later. Thanks again
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davewhite
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Post by davewhite on Jan 19, 2013 14:45:59 GMT
Martin,
OK - well that means it's not that particular tuner but that holding the tuners is helping kill a resonance that makes the buzz as does fretting - it would be interesting to see if you can kill the buzz by plucking the third string open hard and fretting any of the other strings apart from the open third. This would imply that you are stopping the resonant effect by touching the fretboard.
One thing you could do is tap on the fretboard as you will hear any rattle if the truss rod is loose and it would be worth checking to see that the truss rod is under tension and not in the neutral position with maybe a loose rattle.
Then I'd probably try tuning the third string slightly higher and lower to see if it's a particular note on the open third string or just the open third string.
I'm assuming that things were fine before - when did the problem start and was it associated with anything - change of strings or change in weather/humidity like the recent cold snap we are having?
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Jan 19, 2013 15:36:24 GMT
Hi Dave,
I checked fretting other strings, but no change there.
I also gave the fingerboard a sharp tap in various places, but can't hear anything much there.
Interestingly, while I was holding the guitar, I gave it an experimental shake and can hear a faint, metallic rattle like something may be loose. Closer inspection reveals the sound appears to be coming from the truss rod access hole at the neck/soundhole area.
I think you might be spot on about the truss rod here.
To my shame, I haven't played the guitar since November, and it's been tucked up in it's case and not moved since then, so I suppose temperature/humidity might have affected it in some way.
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Post by davewhite on Jan 19, 2013 16:15:33 GMT
Martin,
If you have the truss rod adjuster see if the truss rod nut is adjustable clockwise without very much pressure applied and see if it snugs up to stop that rattle. If it offers resistance don't force it. Which guitar is it by the way?
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Jan 19, 2013 22:45:15 GMT
Thanks Dave. I'll try to find a suitable allen key tomorrow and have a go.
The guitar is my Taran, and was fine until I uncased it today after about six weeks since I last used it.
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Jan 23, 2013 15:22:31 GMT
I attempted a truss rod adjustment, but no joy. It's too tight to move on the clockwise turn, and anti-clockwise it seems far too loose. Not sure if this is my incompetence or a genuine truss rod problem, but I've emailed Rory as I'm not about to do anything else to the guitar myself!
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Post by davewhite on Jan 23, 2013 16:11:43 GMT
Martin,
Good call.
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Jan 23, 2013 16:14:50 GMT
I appreciate all your time and attention on this Dave
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Feb 10, 2013 21:10:49 GMT
Well, I took the guitar when I visited Rory earlier today, and he tried a few things before discovering that one or more of my tuner nuts(!) on the face of the headstock were in fact not as tight as they should be!
So, full marks to Keith and Dave for suggesting that to me, ten of the belt to me for not following up and finding that spanner as I said I would, and cheers to Rory for solving my problem and tweaking my setup ever so slightly so that I can only blame my fingers now for any errant buzzing!
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Post by davewhite on Feb 10, 2013 22:10:26 GMT
Martin, Well you have to look after your nuts. especially if you wear a kilt I'm glad that you finally got it sorted.
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