It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 11:53 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 11 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Bullet strat string buzz issue
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 9:07 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2014 8:08 am
Posts: 5
Hello to everyone!

I am new to this forum and I would like to get some pointers to better understand my guitar. I own Bullet Strat wich I own it for about nine years (I think this information is needed). I started to love this guitar few years ago, when I actually started to realize that neck fits into my hand perfectly and that the fretboard is now moistened with my sweat.
But the matter is that my strings buzz (specialy high e string). I have done all the official adjustmenst of truss rod and saddles but still strings are buzzy. I have heighten the saddles way too high and buzz was still there. What concerns the truss rod I have worn it out because of trying to convex it (now it has spacing of three sheets of paper which i think is more than 0.010 inch from 8th fret on e bass string, with depression). Pickups are set normaly.
I use fender 0.10 string gauge maybe I should consider of using lighter ones (but I doubt it will make a difference). I was also wondering if maybe the frets or nut are worn out.

Any advice is welcome and thanks for replays!


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Bullet strat string buzz issue
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 11:15 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4241
Take it to a pro for a proper setup, might be wise to get a new nut at the same time.
[Sorry, I just had to start with that; we've just had a buzz issue guitar on the forum with three different topics getting close to 100 answers and then a trip to a pro fixed it, as was suggested in the first answer... :mrgreen: ]

Ok, let's go to problemshooting:
Which frets buzz - close to the nut/middle of the neck/highest frets/just one or two somewhere/all around the neck? Edit: forgot the first option, free strings buzzing :oops:
Are there visible dents or worn areas in the frets?

And using the general advice: when in trouble, measure.
What's the nut height (= capo strings on the 3rd fret, measure the gap from the string bottom to the 1st fret top)?
What's your relief, really? (A regular copy paper sheet is .004" so three would be .012" - is this right?)
What's the action (Fender style measure, instructions here)?
How much is that "normal" pickup height if you measure it (the Fender way, see link above)?

Have you checked that it's a string buzz, not something else (loose screws...)?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Bullet strat string buzz issue
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 2:14 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2014 8:08 am
Posts: 5
Ok, fret buzzing depends on strings. On high e frets buzz everywhere but on other strings the buzzing is more noticable in mids of fretboard. Free strings does not buzz. Dents are starting to show but they are not so visible (I have not seen worn frets in my life), but they seem a little bit flat.

Nut height is paper thick so this is about .004 inch. So with this measurements relief is 0.012". Action and all other settings are set with this manual (I guess bullet strats have 9.5" radius). But I will recheck (when I was fine tuning guitar I had to move saddles a bit)! I have also used this manual for pickup setup, I have changed neck pickup with Tex-Mex http://www.fender.com/guitar-bass-parts ... kups-neck/ and I set them up as Texas Specials in manual. Dont have a problem with screws or anything (tuner or two are a bit lossen).


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Bullet strat string buzz issue
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 4:42 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur
User avatar

Joined: Sat Feb 08, 2014 12:28 pm
Posts: 107
Location: Scotland
Sašo wrote:
Ok, fret buzzing depends on strings.

Yes. I just experienced that first hand today when i put extra slinky 08-38 on my LP, instead of my go-to "brite wires" 08's. The E and A buzz like one MOFO :evil:

_________________
Fender '62 Reissue Stratocaster 2005
Gibson Les Paul Custom '68 2004


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Bullet strat string buzz issue
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 12:45 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4241
OK, here's some guesswork/general remarks based on info this far (diagnosing and fixing buzzes on the net is sometimes really difficult :wink: ):

Buzzing on the whole fretboard usually means action is too low for your playing style. The strings may be old, too - have you tried a new set of strings?
And: I've been assuming the buzz is audible through the amp, not just when you play unplugged..?
The Tex-Mex pickup to me says Vaughan style - if you play hard like SRV, you need higher action than usually (BTW, you didn't say what the action is now...).
The Bullets should have a 9.5" radius - if the highE gives you most problems, set it a little higher.

On the truss rod issue: you loosen the strings when you adjust the truss rod, and you make sure you have the right size key, and it sits deep enough on the adjusting nut, right? It's easy to round the hole - but if that is what happened, the truss rod nut can be replaced. (If the rod itself is broken, the guitar needs a new neck.)

Strings: Switching to a .009 set means about 20% less string pull, so the neck would probably straighten a little. This might not help the situation, though: your .012" relief is only .002" off the specs, and you say it buzzes most in the middle frets, which would implement a need for a little more relief...

And true, some string brands seem to buzz easier than others.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Bullet strat string buzz issue
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 8:18 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2014 8:08 am
Posts: 5
Yea I can have pretty aggresive picking... But I have tried higher action but that doesnt helps a lot. I will consider lighter strings for a start...
Buzz is heard in the amp... obvious.
Action is now almost 3 mm on 17th fret (from top of the fret to bottom of the strings).
What concerns trus rod, is it possible to change nut in Bullet Strat? And how.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Bullet strat string buzz issue
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 9:53 am
Offline
Roadie
Roadie

Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2014 2:32 pm
Posts: 235
Location: Rossendale, UK
Any chance of you posting a Youtube video?
It would be good to see the guitar and it would also be good to hear what you call aggressive picking.

_________________
Chris


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Bullet strat string buzz issue
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 10:37 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2014 8:08 am
Posts: 5
I doubt I can create a video (never done any before). Aggresive picking... Like funk shuffle or something..? I think every guitar needs some taming :twisted:


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Bullet strat string buzz issue
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 12:46 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4241
Action at 3mm and buzzing all around..? Are you in standard EADGBE tuning at all? (It might be quite normal for e.g. a Drop-C tuning to buzz on a .010-string set...) :lol:

On the truss rod nut: if you got the Bullet's usual headstock adjusted rod (the hole looks round&big at the opening, deeper inside is the 4.5 mm wrench hole): yes, it can be replaced. Sometimes it takes "a little" time and effort to get the old one out.
But: No need to replace it unless you're absolutely sure it's broke - besides, I don't think that kind of buzzing would be fixed with just a little turn of the truss rod.

How about if you consider heavier strings (they are more rigid) and while you have the strings off, loosen the truss rod completely, let the neck set for a day (if you feel comfortable with doing it, you can press it straight or even to a little back bow), check the neck and reassemble...

& The Disclaimer: Use caution and your own consideration as in applying any internet based instructions, any damage to your instrument will be at your own risk, and it's always wise to use a trained professional :wink:


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Bullet strat string buzz issue
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 1:04 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2014 8:08 am
Posts: 5
Yes I am using standard tuning. When I am going to change strings (for lighter ones) I will replace rod nut and string guide nut. Hope that will work. I dont know what string guide to buy, any suggestions?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Bullet strat string buzz issue
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 1:23 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4241
Pure Vintage or AmStd, both will do the job but your taste decides the look.

IMHO, heavy touch and .009's don't match :wink:


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 11 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users 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: