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Post subject: String buzz/rattle
Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 12:42 pm
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Did a search on 'buzz' and 'rattle' and, surprisingly, didn't get any hits...

My new P (American Standard 4-String, Maple Fingerboard, S/N 1003...) has had a slight rattle on the A string since I received it in October. Since the buzz required a pretty good thumping to be heard, and wasn't coming through my amplification, I've left well enough alone rather than start tweaking the truss rod, etc.

I changed out the factory strings to 9050ML Fender Flats yesterday and now the A-string rattle is consistent and is audible through the amplification and/or when recording D/I. I tried raising the saddle about half-a-turn, but that didn't change the effect at all, so I'm not convinced it's hitting a fret, which is why I'm confused.

Before finding a local repair outlet (near New Haven, CT) and possibly being without the instrument for N days, I'm wondering if anyone knows of something I can check first.

thanks,

U0


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Post subject: Re: String buzz/rattle
Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 5:42 pm
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Hmmm... found the most likely culprit. Looks like the A-string notch in the nut is cut either slightly too wide or doesn't taper well. A very thin plastic shim behind the string did the trick. Problem is, since I graphite'd the notch, the shim wants to ride up and down with the string as it's tuned, and I'm sure it'll eventually work its way up and out. So it looks like the nut on this practically-new P will need to be replaced.

Chalk one up for fender QA, I guess. :-(

U0


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Post subject: Re: String buzz/rattle
Posted: Sun Dec 26, 2010 4:13 pm
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Could be the nut like you said, but BEFORE you swap out the nut, at least check the relief on the neck. Sometimes, the amount of relief affects the angle in which the string passes through the nut enough that the string buzzes in the nut slot a little. The E string on my P bass was doing this. A quick tweak to the neck may fix it, or you can file the groove for the A string, dressing it away from the bottom of the string. Do this by filing or carving the bottom of the groove on the headstock end of the nut only ( not the fretboard side ). If the string groove was not dressed properly at the factory, the back (headstock) side can be higher, allowing the string to rattle by striking the front (fretboard) end of the nut groove. Does that make sense ?


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Post subject: Re: String buzz/rattle
Posted: Sun Dec 26, 2010 5:00 pm
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Steve-oh-no wrote:
Does that make sense ?


Yes. Good suggestions. Shim worked and doesn't affect playability, sustain or anything else. When I get to a period where I can drop it off with a luthier for a bit, I'll have someone who knows what they're doing file and/or swap out the nut.

cheers!

U0


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