It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 8:05 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: acceptable fret buzz/rattle
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 6:22 am
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Wed Dec 12, 2007 12:45 pm
Posts: 164
I was thinking about lowering my action a little. Right now it is about 2 mm treble and base. I had it lowered a while ago to about 1.5 mm but noticed I could make it rattle/buzz acoustically when I strummed medium to hard. Through the amp I could only hear the buzz if I really tried to make it buzz.
Anyways am I being to picky or should I always eliminate all buzz acoustically and through the amp?


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 6:42 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jan 28, 2009 6:52 am
Posts: 34
I set up my guitars to recomended specs 4/64 sting hight on the 17th fret.If you still get fret buzz after doing this then you may have to file down some frets but im knot an expert.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 7:19 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:47 am
Posts: 15336
Location: In a galaxy far far away
As with all things you will find it easier to address the problem at source. I like my action a lot lower than fender specs and dont get much if anything in the way of buzz. I do pick quite lightly though and spend excessive amounts of time tinkering. I am assuming the neck bow is correct. There is a possibility that the frets could need dressing if your heavy with your fretting hand, but its a outside chance. Check for a dulled appearance and indents in the wire where you ususaly fret.

Why not try adjusting the action to a mid point and adjusting your picking technique? If you do over time you could have super low action and no buzz.

_________________
No no and no


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 9:42 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2007 7:02 am
Posts: 8609
Location: Vacaville, CA USA
When I learned to do setups I was told that a light buzz acoustically is acceptable if it does not buzz when plugged in.
I usually lower my action until it starts to buzz then raise each saddle 1/2 turn at a time until the buzzing just barely stops.

_________________
Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
Authorized WD Music Products Dealer
F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 10:09 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 6:19 am
Posts: 51
I played nothing but a steel string acoustic for a year prior to getting my strat. After getting a professional set up, I found that I still needed to modify my picking style because of the lighter strings and low action on the strat.

As someone pointed out, with an acoustic you get more volume by playing harder. With an electric, you turn up the amp.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 10:16 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed May 07, 2008 9:58 pm
Posts: 1348
Location: Motor City
Fret buzz is more noticeable on an acoustic guitar than an electric. And most noticeable on a clean tone electric than a dirty tone.

I like my action lower than spec, but not super low, or I can't play fast and bend right. I have a medium to heavy attack on the strings though and play a lot of texas style blues, which I cannot play right if my action's too low.

I've had my guitars set up super low in the past, to where you'll hear string buzzing a bit acoustically when strummed hard. But that's also with brand new, sparkling strings. Once they break in and mellow out, you don't hear that as much. Once you play with even low-mid gain on an amp, you pretty much won't hear that at all.

Find the right height that FEELS good when you play it, then worry about the sound, and adjust according. There is no magic micrometer number that is perfect, because that depends on the correct neck bow, and fretboard radius, etc.

I could not even tell you what the technical specs of the height I like on my guitars. I don't care if I like 1.762 mm as opposed to 2.232 - but I can feel it in about 5 seconds.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 8:58 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Feb 20, 2008 2:37 pm
Posts: 1811
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
When I've had techs do a setup, I've always asked them to go as low as possible for an easier action..........but not low, to the point of giving me fret buzz.

_________________
"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them."-John Wayne


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: