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Post subject: Weird Neck and Body Vibration on Squier Strat?
Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 11:20 pm
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I recently got a Squier Strat in a package. I'm happy with it, but when I play the open G string, the neck vibrates, and the body also does a little bit (more than with the other strings). It isn't just normal vibration, I don't think. It sounds harsh-er than the other strings unplugged. I've been trying to figure it out, and I think it could be a problem with the nut, as the vibration only happens when the G string is played open, but I'm not sure. Sorry if this is a newb-ish question, but I'm really not sure what's going on with it...


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Post subject: Re: Weird Neck and Body Vibration on Squier Strat?
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 2:51 am
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Yes it could be the nut or intonation problem with this string . Have you tried a new set of strings ?
If you use the original set , replace it. Also make sure the screw at the body an neck are tight


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Post subject: Re: Weird Neck and Body Vibration on Squier Strat?
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 7:03 am
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I did did replace the G string, but not any of the others. Should I still get a new set? And ok, I'll be sure to check the rest of the things you said, also. Thanks


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Post subject: Re: Weird Neck and Body Vibration on Squier Strat?
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 12:47 pm
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sounds like the guitar could just do with a setup, but yes changing all the strings may help , a new set of strings is cheaper than a professional setup


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Post subject: Re: Weird Neck and Body Vibration on Squier Strat?
Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 10:38 pm
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All right, will do. How much should a standard set-up run, and what would it include?


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Post subject: Re: Weird Neck and Body Vibration on Squier Strat?
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 12:52 am
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a full setup would include a thorough inspection of the electrics, fretboard levelling and redress if requires, a fret polish, saddle, nut and string tree lube, action height set to your preference, pickup height set to your preference or fender spec if not stated, and intonation set.

Here in the uk if you get a professional to do it for you it can cost £50-£65, but if you are a little more tech minded you could do it yourself, i would suggest you learn to do it anyway, as you sholud really check the intonation with new strings in my opinion.

heres the link to the fender setup guide

http://www.fender.com/en-GB/support/art ... etup-guide


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Post subject: Re: Weird Neck and Body Vibration on Squier Strat?
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2012 2:30 pm
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Alright, can do. Thanks for the help!


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Post subject: Re: Weird Neck and Body Vibration on Squier Strat?
Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 1:03 am
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Before you do that whole setup or pay for one, take the back plate off the trem cavity. try holding the springs as you pluck that string. If one of the springs is loose or in a sweet spot it might be vibrating on that specific tone. I had something like that happen with my squire and once I dropped down to 2 springs playing 8's the vibration went away. If its not a trem spring, than something on that guitar is loose and responds to that particular note. work your way from the tuning mach. all the way through the bridge to the screws holding the spring claw.

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Post subject: Re: Weird Neck and Body Vibration on Squier Strat?
Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2015 11:29 am
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I think that is a good tip on the number of springs in the trem cavity (go from 3 to 2) plus how far to screw in the trem spring adjuster so that it puts a lot of tension on those springs, to eliminate vibration. I sort of like hard tails these days, IF they are built in such a way that intonation can be set from where the bridges are screwed down on them (Hello Fender?).

Example: I had a cheap hardtail Squier Bullet (recently manufactured) and it was never right because they set the bridge a 1/4 inch off from where it would have intoned. Because of that, the screw holes to reset it, would show if you changed it. I don't know about everyone else but I never play songs that use tremolo, so I always adjust the spring tension very tight to eliminate vibration. Oh for a good cheap Squier hardtail.


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Post subject: Re: Weird Neck and Body Vibration on Squier Strat?
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 7:19 am
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Hmm.

If a string plays funny (buzzes, as I understand the OP's "vibration") when played open, it's usually a nut slot problem. The slot may be too tight for the string (= string isn't in the bottom of the slot), or not properly tilted towards the headstock side.

Buzzing caused by resonance is usually easy to separate from this: play open string G, then fifth fret string D; same note should cause the same resonance.

I won't completely shoot down that trem spring resonance theory, but it wouldn't be the first thing I'd check. [For rattling springs, a piece of foamed plastic or a hairband (the donut shaped flexible one) are the old school quick fixes.]
But while working on this brand new guitar, it's good to check all screws and nuts so they're "tight" (in brackets, because they don't need forced tightening, just so they fit snugly - except the trem plate middle screws which should be "loose").

The trem springs: they are there to balance the string tension, so "go from 3 to 2" as a general advice ain't good. Often, a floating trem & .009 set needs three, and a decked trem can use all five...

On the "1st setup for a new guitar": I'd recommend getting a pro to do it, and learn to DIY later. It's easier to maintain a good setup than to do it without experience, and anyway: you'd get to play the guitar quicker.


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Post subject: Re: Weird Neck and Body Vibration on Squier Strat?
Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 7:22 pm
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I had a Squier Bullet Strat that would give a weird buzz on certain higher notes, but it wasn't fret buzz. It turned out to be a cold solder joint on on a wire on the volume pot. Just reflowing the solder with a soldering iron and some flux fixed it right up.

I also have an old SG copy that, when I got it, would buzz and rattle especially on low notes. That one was due to a truss rod nut that was backed off so far that the truss rod was loose and rattling inside the neck.

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Post subject: Re: Weird Neck and Body Vibration on Squier Strat?
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2015 2:46 am
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If it is new - take it back. If you got it at Guitar Center they likely have a whole bunch of starter packs in the back. Or if they have the same model Squier hanging on the wall they might let you swap so that they don't have to take a whole kit back. I think of it as guitars going through an assembly line. The cheaper the price the faster the line goes. All the parts might get put on as it goes through but not enough time to get it just right every time. In the case of a starter pack Strat it might go into the box with only a check that sound comes out of it in all 5 switch positions. There are going to be bad ones and sometimes really good ones. Usually a good setup will make a Squier play decent but that vibration might be something not fixable in a regular setup. Like needing a neck shim or if it was shimmed incorrectly.

Bottom line is that if you can - take it back to the store for a free replacement. And ask them to set it up properly for you. The most they can do is say no and if you time it right and the place isn't crowded there is a good chance they will say yes. Especially for a customer returning a defective product. Maybe not spend enough time on it to get it just right but at least enough to make it more playable and make sure you don't leave with another dud. While I wouldn't consider most Guitar Center employees to be Guitar Techs they do tend to know more than the average player. About half seem to be gigging musicians that take care of their own gear. Kinda like the folks at Best Buy - they know a bit more about the product than the average user. Some of them anyway.

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Post subject: Re: Weird Neck and Body Vibration on Squier Strat?
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2015 3:31 am
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fenderfan wrote:
If it is new - take it back.

Quote:
hebeGBs Post subject: Weird Neck and Body Vibration on Squier Strat? PostPosted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 8:20 am
:mrgreen:


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Post subject: Re: Weird Neck and Body Vibration on Squier Strat?
Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 9:23 am
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hebeGBs wrote:
I recently got a Squier Strat in a package. I'm happy with it, but when I play the open G string, the neck vibrates, and the body also does a little bit (more than with the other strings). It isn't just normal vibration, I don't think. It sounds harsh-er than the other strings unplugged. I've been trying to figure it out, and I think it could be a problem with the nut, as the vibration only happens when the G string is played open, but I'm not sure. Sorry if this is a newb-ish question, but I'm really not sure what's going on with it...



As you have hopefully gathered from the varied responses here, there are a number of things that can in fact cause such a problem...a guitar is, after all, generally equal to the sum of it's parts. Personally I do feel that just "returning the guitar for another" as Fenderfan suggested is rather rash and impulsive at this point...if you are otherwise happy with the guitar, at the very least I'd do some further investigation to see what exactly is causing the problem as you may find out that it's just a quick and simple fix.

Before I begin, I would like to add that I am going to assume that this vibration happens with the guitar UNPLUGGED and NOT thru an amp. Do not confuse the physical nature of the guitar with the microphonic and feedback tendencies of certain frequencies when amplified...in other words, if this problem is happening with the amp cranked up and a distortion pedal going or something, the problem may not be the guitar at all.

Personally I'd start with a FULL set of new strings, along with a bridge and/or neck adjustment (as needed). While your guitar was likely setup at the factory, since that time it's likely been shipped and reshipped, been bumped, banged and subject to various temperature and humility conditions, etc...it could very well need some "tweaking". Since you said you only replaced the G string, I would like to add...don't do that. The -ONLY- time I ever replace a single string is if I should break one on stage during a gig (which has happened on occasion). Even then I will replace ALL of the strings the next day...including the one that I replaced during the gig. Otherwise, when you do a string change, replace ALL of them. Strings are inexpensive...don't be lazy about it. Likewise, whether it's with this guitar or a replacement (should the need call for it), get into the habit of checking/setting the intonation every time you change those strings!

The thing to remember here is that a guitar is NOT a piano...it's not just "set it and forget it". In this way, a guitar is very much like a car in that they typically require a degree of periodic maintenance. A car not only needs gas, it also needs the oil changed every couple of months, new spark plugs occasionally, antifreeze, etc. Guitars likewise need the occasional "tune up"...in this case, in the form of regular string changes, intonation/bridge/neck adjustments, etc.. When it comes to Strats, 8/10's of the issues you encounter will likely come down to a proper setup.

Second to that, I'd simply start at the headstock and work my way down...check the string T (if it has one on the G string...some do, some don't), check the nut, work your way down to the bridge and check the saddle (are both adjusting screws sitting flat on the plate?), when you change those strings, make sure the string end (be it ball or "bullet") sits securely in the trem block, maybe play with the spring adjustment a bit (although I do NOT recommend removing springs...only replacing or adding...2 springs on a Strat just sucks the sustain out of it), etc.. In other words, simply follow a basic process of elimination until you find the problem.

-If- you've gone thru the guitar piece by piece and still haven't found the problem, THEN is the time to start considering a return.


Good luck and I hope this helps!


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