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Old 11-19-2011, 05:52 PM
Acoustom Acoustom is offline
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Default Buzzing D String

Anyone have any thoughts on why my D string would buzz when played open and on the first 3 frets? None of my other strings buzz, just the D and only when played open or fretted on the first 3 frets. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Tom
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Old 11-19-2011, 05:55 PM
Dru Edwards Dru Edwards is offline
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How long have you noticed this? Has it always been like this? It could simply be related to a change in humidity and a slight truss rod adjustment. But, it sounds like it might be a high fret.
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Old 11-19-2011, 06:04 PM
ghale ghale is offline
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I'm no expert, but if its just one string in the open position, it may be the nut slot for the D string. Is this a new guitar, or has this happened over time?
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Old 11-19-2011, 06:05 PM
RussB RussB is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Acoustom View Post
Anyone have any thoughts on why my D string would buzz when played open and on the first 3 frets? None of my other strings buzz, just the D and only when played open or fretted on the first 3 frets. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Tom

Buzzing an open note usually means the nut slot is too low, but with the first 3 frets buzzing too, it may be that the saddle is too low.

But we're only getting part of the picture here, and a proper diagnosis requires more info
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Old 11-19-2011, 06:19 PM
Acoustom Acoustom is offline
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Thanks for the quick response everyone. I've owned the guitar a couple of years and I just started to notice the buzzing after changing from DR Pre-alloys to Dr Dragonskins today. I did actually put in a saddle that is just a bit taller about an hour ago, but the buzz/rattle is still the same.
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Old 11-19-2011, 06:22 PM
Dru Edwards Dru Edwards is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Acoustom View Post
Thanks for the quick response everyone. I've owned the guitar a couple of years and I just started to notice the buzzing after changing from DR Pre-alloys to Dr Dragonskins today. I did actually put in a saddle that is just a bit taller about an hour ago, but the buzz/rattle is still the same.
Are the string gauges the same as what you used before?
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Old 11-19-2011, 06:25 PM
ghale ghale is offline
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I would definitely suggest checking the nut slot if a taller saddle didn't fix the buzzing.
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Old 11-19-2011, 06:44 PM
Acoustom Acoustom is offline
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String gauges haven't changed, I always use 12's
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Old 11-19-2011, 07:10 PM
RussB RussB is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Acoustom View Post
Thanks for the quick response everyone. I've owned the guitar a couple of years and I just started to notice the buzzing after changing from DR Pre-alloys to Dr Dragonskins today. I did actually put in a saddle that is just a bit taller about an hour ago, but the buzz/rattle is still the same.
...and the facts slowly leak out


Sometimes a particular string will vibrate more than another string, even though they are the same diameter.
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Old 11-19-2011, 07:42 PM
Alan Carruth Alan Carruth is offline
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Could it be just a bad string?
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Old 11-19-2011, 08:32 PM
Howard Klepper Howard Klepper is offline
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First, make sure the ball end of the string is tight against the bridge plate. Yes, even though that is at the other end. Then make sure the tuner is tight to the headstock, its gears (if it's an open tuner) are tight, and the strings are not making contact with those on another tuner post. Then that the string is sitting all the way down in the nut slot.

Then change the string.

Has the guitar been through any kind of climate change today? Did you touch the truss rod?

What kind of guitar is it?
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Old 11-19-2011, 09:36 PM
Acoustom Acoustom is offline
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Thanks for all your replies. I have a few more things to report. Yes Howard the ball end of the strings are nice and tight against the bridge plate and there have been no humidity changes recently. My guitars are all sitting comfortably at 70 degrees with 42% humidity. I did check the frets with a fret rocker just now and the fifth fret is just a tiny tiny tiny bit higher than the 4th and 6th frets. Could this be the problem even though it's a miniscule amount difference?
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Old 11-19-2011, 09:37 PM
Acoustom Acoustom is offline
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Forgot to mention that this is my Stehr SJ that's having the rattle problem.
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Old 11-19-2011, 09:38 PM
Acoustom Acoustom is offline
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An absolutely PHENOMINAL guitar by the way!
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Old 11-19-2011, 10:03 PM
RussB RussB is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Acoustom View Post
...I did check the frets with a fret rocker just now and the fifth fret is just a tiny tiny tiny bit higher than the 4th and 6th frets. Could this be the problem even though it's a miniscule amount difference?
That would have nothing to do with the buzzing at the nut.

How much neck relief do you have?
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