My G string has a terrible vibration. I've tried raising the bridge at the G string end, but, unless I need to adjust it quite a bit more, that isn't solving the problem. Any suggestions before I take my instrument to a luthier?
NEI (inversely related to TMI) Does it buzz only when unfretted (open)? Does it buzz only when fretted? Which frets? Did it just all of a sudden manifest itself? Slowly develop? Do you have any way to measure distance between bottom of G strings and top of 12th fret? Or how far between bottom of G string and top of 1st fret? For the latter two if you have a selection of various thickness picks, which can be just barely held in place by the strings at what fret? (for example "my 1.4mm pick just fits between G string and 7th fret").
Does it buzz only when unfretted (open)? Does it buzz only when fretted? Which frets? The worst buzzing at the moment is the first fret. But there's also buzzing when unfretted and also the A string closest to the G string. Did it just all of a sudden manifest itself? Slowly develop? It seems to have started when it first cooled down here in the Dallas area. My mandolin (vs. classical violin) teacher suggested I raise the bridge with pliers. That did seem to help initially. (I don't expect to have another lesson with him until December.) Do you have any way to measure distance between bottom of G strings and top of 12th fret? Or how far between bottom of G string and top of 1st fret? Not really. I only have one pick size and the printing is worn off on all of them. What's weird is the G string buzzing was terrible when I was tuning. Now it doesn't seem so bad, other than the first fret.
Hmmm. It does sound like it could be a low bridge problem. Or it could be a problem with the neck bowing back, making a hump in the fretboard. If it is the neck and if your mandolin has a truss rod, it might be a relatively simple adjustment. Some folks do that themselves, but it takes proper tools and a measure of self confidence. I am willing to bet, though, that a temporary fix would be to raise the bridge some more. The threads on that adjustment wheel are very fine, so I bet there is still a lot of room for adjustment. You might try loosening the strings most of the way before adjusting to make it easier to turn that little wheel. It is a real chore when the strings are at full tension and while using pliers works, they can also bugger up the wheel or even break the saddle if they slip off the wheel. A luthier should check it out at some point, even if the bridge adjustment helps. It could be a sign of more trouble to come or it could be just the way your mandolin accomodates to the change of seasons.
When it cools down does the humidity drop too? If so, remember that each species of wood in the instrument expands and contracts differently as it dries. Hank's excellent suggestion to eventually check in with a luthier would be my inclination.
Thanks, Louise and Henry. I think I'll take it to the Luther tomorrow. He told me the neck is good and straight when he shaved the bridge to lower the action a couple of months ago.
Louise, I believe the humidity has dropped along with the temperature.
Just took my mandolin to the luthier. 2 problems: that piece that covers the end of the strings is causing a vibration. He's putting a piece of moleskin under the cover. Then he put a level along the neck and showed me how he can rock it back and forth, when that should not be possible. He's going to shave the neck to make it level. He'll also change the strings while he's at it. It's been forever since I've done that, although he said they were OK. Fred, there's a new luthier at Murphy's: Brian Hall. Don't know what happened to Don.
Sherry, thanks for the heads up about Murphy's. I'm glad you figured out the vibration problem. That can be frustrating. When I got some new, fancier hearing aids a few months ago, I thought I was having problems when I played the E string. Figured out that I just need to change the settings when I play. Guess it was all my in head I'm overdue on a string change, though. Got the tools and the strings; I just hate doing it.
I hate that also, but figured it was time. I'm at Murphy's now. Still have a bit of a buzz, so he's working on it. BTW, he shaved the frets, not the neck, specifically. Also said won't be long before I need a new bridge.
Sherryc: Also said won't be long before I need a new bridge. Just curious...how old is your Mandolin?
I believe I've had it for 17 years. My husband bought it new and I took lessons for a few months. Started up again 2-1/2 years ago. The luthier said my bridge is rosewood; he would replace it with ebony - when the rosewood breaks.
Not all rosewood bridges break, so it could last forever. I'm glad you got the buzz tracked down and taken care of.
Thanks, Henry. When my husband said "that" sounds terrible, I knew I needed to address it prior to next week's jam session.