Buzzing string at certain positions of playing.

Alalush · #1 09-21-2023, 09:53 AM

I have some buzzing sound (4th string) when I play in certain positions... can't figure out why (see video)
Checked the tuners, ball ends, frets... I don't have it when I put a capo on the 1st fret... Maybe too low nut for the 4th string?

https://vimeo.com/866832936?share=copy

rmp · #2 09-21-2023, 10:07 AM

yea could be what you're asking,

you could also try to take a little relief off the neck

but that kind of buzzing with an open string only would kind of point to a low nut slot for that string.

Alalush · #3 09-21-2023, 12:15 PM

Checked the nut, tuners.. kinda frustrating lol.
The buzzing/zooming sound seem to come from somewhere inside but not sure what exactly.

Ball ends seem ok

Alalush · #4 09-21-2023, 12:35 PM

I think the action at the first fret is too low for the lower 3 strings. What is the proper height of the E A D strings?

rmp · #5 09-21-2023, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alalush

I think the action at the first fret is too low for the lower 3 strings. What is the proper height of the E A D strings?

some where around 0.20 should be ok

http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Musi...nutaction.html

rick-slo · #6 09-21-2023, 12:52 PM

In the video it looks like you did not fret the fourth string but left it open the whole time. However when you capo fret 1 the buzz goes away. You answered your own question. The fourth string nut slot is too low.

Fathand · #7 09-21-2023, 02:58 PM

Try, temporarily, putting some paper under the 4th string to raise the nut slot and see if it goes away.

Alalush · #8 09-21-2023, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fathand

Try, temporarily, putting some paper under the 4th string to raise the nut slot and see if it goes away.

Thanks it worked. I measured also the string heights at the first fret... EAD strings way too low. The ebony nut is quit touched already so I plan to make a new ebony nut. Thoughts on how tl remove the existing one? I assume its also glued with hide glue similar to cut through saddles? Apply some heat and it should go loose I think?

runamuck · #9 09-21-2023, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alalush

I have some buzzing sound (4th string) when I play in certain positions... can't figure out why (see video)
Checked the tuners, ball ends, frets... I don't have it when I put a capo on the 1st fret... Maybe too low nut for the 4th string?

https://vimeo.com/866832936?share=copy

It appeared that your 4th string was open the entire time. If true, your nut slot is too low on that string.

Alalush · #10 09-21-2023, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by runamuck

It appeared that your 4th string was open the entire time. If true, your nut slot is too low on that string.

Correct! Nut slots are too low on the 3 lower strings. I was thinking to raise the slots with ebony powder + super glue but I don't really like the results I saw online in some videos. Will make a new ebony nut and make the slot depths spot on.

rick-slo · #11 09-21-2023, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alalush

Correct! Nut slots are too low on the 3 lower strings. I was thinking to raise the slots with ebony powder + super glue but I don't really like the results I saw online in some videos. Will make a new ebony nut and make the slot depths spot on.

You can also try shimming the nut.

SColumbusSt · #12 09-22-2023, 01:51 PM

Making a new nut is always the best way to go but I've used this stuff when going a little too far on a nut slot and it works great:

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tool...-rescue-powder

Not sure what it is made of but compared to ebony dust it is way easier to precisely fill the nut slot with.

runamuck · #13 09-23-2023, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alalush

Correct! Nut slots are too low on the 3 lower strings. I was thinking to raise the slots with ebony powder + super glue but I don't really like the results I saw online in some videos. Will make a new ebony nut and make the slot depths spot on.

A bone nut will last a lot longer than an ebony nut.

Alalush · #14 09-23-2023, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by runamuck

A bone nut will last a lot longer than an ebony nut.

I know but I want to use the same material as the original.

phavriluk · #15 09-25-2023, 09:19 PM

Typical StewMac oversell. A bone nut blank costs two bucks, more or less. StewMac's Magic Nut Repair Powders cost twenty-four bucks to do the same job a buck's worth of baking soda (or steal a pill bottle's worth out of the spice rack, it'll never be noticed) will do. I think I've touched the high spots.