Main Forums => Larrivée Guitars => Topic started by: freeindeed on February 01, 2005, 09:30:45 PM

Title: Buzzing Strings
Post by: freeindeed on February 01, 2005, 09:30:45 PM
I noticed tonight some buzzing on my E,A, and D strings. The problem is mainly on the A and D strings between the first and fifth frets. The buzzing occurs ONLY when the notes are fretted. I checked the neck relief by pressing the first and fourteenth frets and observed an ample gap at the seventh fret. In no way would I say the action is low, high if anything from the tenth fret on. The ball ends are seated properly and the strings are wound properly sooooo.....I'm wondering if a truss rod adjustment is needed. I'm hesitant to do this because the action is a little high compared to say... the Taylor I had. Thanks for any info and suggestions ya'll might have. Unclrob are you there??

                                 Chris
Title: Buzzing Strings
Post by: unclrob on February 01, 2005, 09:47:16 PM
Chris you could tighten the rod a 1/8 of a turn at a time but no more then 3/8 of a turn.Its a very limited area,if adjustments don't do it bring it to your fav. tech and have him check it.


Title: Buzzing Strings
Post by: freeindeed on February 01, 2005, 10:09:24 PM
Thanks Unclrob but I got a question. If the strings are buzzing I thought I would need to add relief to the neck by loosening the truss rod. Am I missing something?

                 Chris
Title: Buzzing Strings
Post by: unclrob on February 01, 2005, 10:45:24 PM
Sometimes to much relief will case the strings to seed on the frets funky thus a buzz.If removing relief doesn't solve the problem then you need someone to check the level of the frets.If the frets aren't level,then a dressing is required.Please if you get a chance bring it to your fav tech.
Title: Buzzing Strings
Post by: freeindeed on February 01, 2005, 10:58:30 PM
Will do Unclrob, thanks a bunch. That really thinks though because I don't trust the hamfisted monkeytechs around here with my brand new guitar.

                                       Chris
Title: Buzzing Strings
Post by: unclrob on February 01, 2005, 11:13:53 PM
If your eyes are good and you have a very good strait edge,D tune the guitar and pull the strings to the side,starting on the low E side and drag it across towards the high E side.Your looking for dips and rises.If you got no one there contact Larrivee and see if they have someone.If all else falls send it to me I'd be glad happy to help.Also for more education for yourself read Frank Fords stuff at frets.com.
Title: Buzzing Strings
Post by: jwieties on February 01, 2005, 11:34:05 PM
As always, sound advice from unclerob.  Or as I like to call him, Larrivee tech numero uno.  

Lots of info here http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Luthier/Te.../startbuzz.html (http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Luthier/Technique/Setup/BuzzDiagnosis/startbuzz.html) but from your earlier post sounds like you may be familiar with a lot of this.

What's your humidity like?  
-josh
Title: Buzzing Strings
Post by: freeindeed on February 01, 2005, 11:40:44 PM
Thanks again Unclrob. The first thing I did was go to frets.com but really didn't find a definitive answer. I figured you or someone else would weigh in on this. Jason concurred that there may be too much relief in the neck but I kinda like it because I do alot of strumming with this guitar. I feel comfortable making truss rod adjustments so I might try that after I check to see if the frets are level. I also read somewhere that medium strings have a more narrow range of vibration hence are less likely to buzz. Makes sense to me. I'll exhaust every option before I take it to anyone around here even if that means a roadtrip to Florida! B)

                                     Chris

Josh-RH is around 48%
Title: Buzzing Strings
Post by: freeindeed on February 02, 2005, 01:26:45 AM
Well using a capo on the second fret and plucking with my ear on the soundboard I've been able to narrow down ( I think ) where the buzzing is coming from....under the bridge. I don't know if this is normal or not ....but tapping sharply behind the bridge creates a buzzy harmonic. My guitar has the B Band A2.2 in it and I'm guessing something's loose? Maybe?

                                         Chris
Title: Buzzing Strings
Post by: unclrob on February 02, 2005, 09:06:12 AM
Do the same thing as when checking the frets but this time put you hand inside of the guitar and feel around for any wire that may be floating near the top.
Title: Buzzing Strings
Post by: jmhyer on February 02, 2005, 10:38:56 AM
You probably do have something loose in there.

I've posted this experience before, but my Seagull M6-E was buzzing (mostly on the low E string).  It took a while, but I finally isolated the buzz to the volume and tone knobs on the barndoor controls.  They didn't feel loose to the touch, but obviously were.  The buzz went away when I plucked the E string while holding pressure on the knobs with my other hand.