Buzzing Saddle
moster78
Posts: 1,591
Question for all you Strat guru's out there, you know who you are.
I noticed something odd with my Strat during my lesson this week. I hit the B string at the 12th fret and along with the note, it made this high pitched whine type noise, and it seemed to be coming from the saddle. Any thoughts on what could cause it? And more importantly, how to remedy. Thanks in advance everyone!
I noticed something odd with my Strat during my lesson this week. I hit the B string at the 12th fret and along with the note, it made this high pitched whine type noise, and it seemed to be coming from the saddle. Any thoughts on what could cause it? And more importantly, how to remedy. Thanks in advance everyone!
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and, that man tell me to dismantle my guitar and put together again all the pieces to know well how it works. crazy man. but i 'm sure some of you guys do that all the time ! just for fun.
I believe the "L" is called an Allen Wrench. That is if we're talking about the same thing. But, yes, very useful tool. I love it.
I guess I can always try lowereing the saddle and adjusting the string length to see if it goes away. Also debating if it needs a setup. Had the thing for about 8 months, and the hot summer months are coming.
Temperature effects the strings if you didn't know, that could be a factor also. Maybe you need new strings? You might also wanna lower the action a little (it'll be easier to play if you do) but don't lower it too much. Raising is also an option if it's already low. You've gotta play with it for a little to get the perfect sound (at least I do).
It wasn't so much a buzz as like a high pitch whine, like really high pitched. I wasn't plugged into an amp or anything, and I don't think its anything that would get picked up by the amp, but my guitar teacher heard it and had a WTF moment.
I think you might've hit a harmonic note, but just right to sound bad if that makes sense. Does that happen every time you hit the 12 fret on B? (12 is a natural harmonic, easily able to play on accident)
Not a harmonic, its pretty much every time I hit the 12th fret on B, and its a definite whine type noise, very high pitched, coming from the saddle/bridge area.
Damn, I've had problems with buzzing strings, but it wasn't specifically on one fret and only happened when I didn't play 100% accurately. All I did was change the strings. I don't know if I've ever heard the noise you're talking about...
Just a thought that would save you a trip and $ if that's the case.
Once a month on average. I guess thats worth a shot too, its probably coming up on that time anyway.
Try holding your finger on the saddle where the B string sits on it and play the string. Work your finger around there to see if the buzz stops. It might be a worn groove in the saddle that makes it buzz. If the string can shake a little bit in the groove it'll give that high pitched buzz. If that's the case, then it needs a little filing or smoothing out.
I don't think it's fret buzz if it's the same pitched buzz when you play an open string
If the strings are old, then change them before you adjust the action. Summer may make the action lower and you raise it a little, as the neck and neck joint swells from more humidity.
The string also might be laying against something on the path from the back of the guitar, too, but try the saddle first!
Try that and we'll see!
Don't be mankind. ~Captain Beefheart
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Sorry to hear that, man!
Does it still buzz on only that one string? if it IS only the B string, does it buzz when you finger it at the highest fret. If it does, then it's something to do with the saddle or bridge rattling.
If other strings buzz, then your action might be too low. Lowering the action puts the strings closer to the frets and makes it more likely that they'll buzz against the higher frets.
You may need to add a little "relief" to the neck. (the neck bowed forward a bit) If you put a capo on the lowest fret("F") and finger about the 17th fret, you should be able to slide two sheets of paper with a little resistance between the string and the fret at the 9th. That gives clearance for string vibration and you can bend the heck out of them without fretting out.
You would add relief by loosening the truss rod nut a tiny bit at a time, like 1/8th turn. That may be best left to a tech if you're not comfortable, but all guitarists should learn to adjust the neck and action! 8)
The first thing to do is to play each string individually at each fret and make note of when the buzz happens, then report back!
Don't be mankind. ~Captain Beefheart
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If your open chords are buzzing, you may need a bit of neck relief,,,, but you'll get it! I have confidence in you!
Was that the Dan Erlewine book? That's the one I think I recommended. Everyone should be required to have that book.
Don't be mankind. ~Captain Beefheart
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It was indeed the Dan Erlewine book. The neck looks pretty straight to me, and the one thing that I still haven't had the guts to do is adjust the truss rod. One day I'll conquer that fear, but it'll probably be on some secondhand guitar I pick up for $100.
That seems like the scariest thing, but it's pretty easy, especially if it's a new guitar.
If the neck is totally straight, the strings are more likely to buzz on the frets, especially if you pick or strum hard, or bend strings a lot. That's why you put a little relief in the neck, where it is bent outward slightly and gives the strings room to vibrate without hitting the frets.
Loosen the D and G strings, get your truss rod nut wrench, take a deep breath and relax,,
Let out breath.
Retune the G and D, give it a few minutes and play that sucker! If it's good,,, you've done it! If you don't like it,,, tighten it back 1/8 and it'll be back to where it was.
If the truss rod nut is stuck and doesn't move, (usually on an old guitar) don't move it! Give it to a good tech. Yours will be fine, though.
It's actually good to move the truss rod nut every once in a while so it's less likely to freeze up, and you can even put a tiny drop of oil on it evey once in a while.
I know you can do it Moster,,, do it, do it. do it!
Someone has to take over for me here someday!
If you've taken your guitar apart and out new saddles in, then you are pretty far along, and I know you can turn that nut!!!! You aren't going to hurt anything unless you start turning the nut a lot. Usually 1/8 turn increments, waiting and checking is good on a neck that's close to being right.
Don't be mankind. ~Captain Beefheart
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