View Full Version : E string buzz
Does anybody know what could cause my e string to buzz when fretted on 2/3/4 frets? I'm not even sure it's a buzz. The sound doesn't seem to be as clear as when fretted up the neck or when picked open. The other strings sound strong and clear. It's almost like those notes shouldn't be coming out of that mandolin. Thanks for any advice/ideas.
Michael Lewis
May-23-2004, 9:44pm
Pick, it could be any of several things. Uneven frets is the first thing that comes to mind. Then there are sympathetic resonances with other parts of the instrument, like loose screws, tail piece cover, pick guard, truss rod nut, other strings, etc. If you can't find it you should take your mandolin to a competent repair person.
fatt-dad
May-24-2004, 9:58am
my last hard-to-find buzz was from a loose truss rod.
lownote
May-24-2004, 10:23am
I had a very similar problem. It sounds tinny if I'm right. My solution was to resurface the bridge top and recut the slots. They were originally cut wrong and too deep.
Luthier
May-24-2004, 11:18am
If it were a guitar, I would venture to say the truss rod may be to tight and causing a back bow in the neck. #However, if this were the case the other strings would be buzzing on the first few frets as well and since it is on a mandolin there is something else causing it.#Try raising the action and see if it helps at all but it does sound like you may have some uneven frets. #The human eye is accurate to 1/64". #Try sighting down the fretboard so you see the tops of the frets. See if some are higher.
Don
Mandodan
May-24-2004, 5:01pm
You might want to check that the string is seated properly in the nut. Check especially the slope of the bottom of the grove.
Dave Wendler
May-25-2004, 5:48am
Problems such as this usually result from more than one issue. Loose frets(would be my prime candidate, since it's occurring on the treble end of the frets, and only on a few) in combination with an uneven playing "surface"(the plane of the tops of the frets).
A complete setup is in order, particularly if it's never been done. This will include resurfacing/notching the bridge, making sure the nut is set at the correct slot depths, and a fret dress, making sure the offending frets(all of them for that matter) are seated properly.
This is a not unusual occurrence on new instruments where the FB is still drying out...