Help!!!

[drstawl]

Marilyn's got a Buzz going since I changed strings to a set of Medium Elixirs. Had a slightly thinner set on before that and she was dialed in to a ridiculously low action- but NO BUZZ!

Marilyn is an Epiphone EJ-200 Jumbo flat-top.

What do I do?

Raise the bridge by putting in a spacer? I tried that. It helped but not enough. Maybe I need to put in a bigger spacer???

Or loosen up the truss rod in the neck?

Even after the bridge adjustment, the action is still really nice.

 

[Treeline]

That's a little counterintuitive.

I wouldn't fool with the frets, whatever else you do. Maybe loosen the truss rod a bit if you want, but I'd even let that alone for now. You just took that sweetheart cross country and she's probably adjusting to a change in humidity or something like that.

Is the buzz confined to the bass / lower register strings? It could be as simple as having a thicker string move more metal when it vibrates, and the low action conflicted. If that's it, an eighth turn of the truss rod (looser) might tell you. More relief in the neck, but the action at the 12th fret will suffer. If it is a bass side fret buzz, you might first try switching to a lighter gauge, just one string at a time., starting with the low E.

 

[Buck62]

The frets and bridge are probably fine.

Often, when fret-buzz happens with a string change, it's because the one of the gooves in the nut may be slightly worn down.
If that's the case, they can either fill the groove with an epoxy/hardener and re-cut it, or put in a new nut.

Either way, it's not that difficult or expensive.

Sometimes, it's the strings themselves (as Treeline mentioned) which is the easiest thing to correct by changing the gauge on the strings.

 

[M.Brane]

Truss rod:

How much gap do you have in the middle?

I like about .5MM or so but it depends on the axe especially with acoustics. Since you have less options than electrics I like to experiment with strings until I find something the wood likes. Once I find something that works for the axe I figure it's up to me to deal with it, however light or heavy it might be.

Electrics are more receptive to being adjusted into submission.

I do agree with treeline if you've had a drastic climate change give it some time to adjust. Wood is funny that way. Like it never really dies.....

 

[drstawl]

I'll restate that the Buzz happened AFTER I changed the strings. She'd already been through the cross-country trek. 'Twould be a drag to have to go with anything lighter as they're already pretty darn light, even though they were called "mediums" and I love the sound of these strings, the buzz aside.

>How much gap do you have in the middle?

What do you consider the "middle"? The action is like an electric.

I've never run into this before changing strings on my other acoustic ('64 Hummingbird) even when it involved a much more drastic change of gauge. And that axe has made the same trek at least a half dozen times with no changes in the neck....

>I wouldn't fool with the frets, whatever else you do

Don't worry- I had no plans to.....

>If it is a bass side fret buzz, you might first try switching to a lighter gauge, just one string at a time., starting with the low E

It is- (you played it and mentioned the buzz right off). I'll let it sit for a while and perhaps go with a lighter set. It was more humid that week on the East Coast than this guitar is used to.

Thanks for all of your input.

BTW: How's your EJ-200 doing, Buck?

 

[joro]

Try........

Changing strings again....go back to whatever you used before..

I have had bad experiences with Elixers...........I only use Martins now........better safe than sorry.......ya know?

Good luck,
Joe

 

[GT]

Doc,

I luv ya, but Elixers suck. They're like strings wearing condoms.

Bought a set awhile back, never again.

Raise the bridge, that'll fix the buzz.

GT

 

[drstawl]

It probably had Martins on there before. The reason I like Elixers is I don't have to constantly deal with the pain and expense of changing to new strings every two weeks.

It's similar to what I see in car enthusiasts. Some people like to constantly work on them- others just like to drive them.

With this guitar I just leave it close by for when I hear something I want to pick along with or just to try out new ideas. One thing that gets me out of the mood to do this are flat, greasy strings!
I live right by the ocean and there are plenty of other corrosive compounds in the air besides the salt spray that do a number on unprotected metal. It's too bad that Cadmium is so toxic. I'll bet that would produce a string coating that would sound great and last forever.

I've had the same set of Elixers on my electric from the FIRST East Coast Jamfest and they haven't gone flat yet! Plus they have the smooth feel of flatwounds without the crappy sound and other problems associated with flatwounds. Damn- I sound like a Gore-Tex salesman...

 

[M.Brane]

What do you consider the "middle"? The action is like an electric.

To check your rod adjustment, fret your low E at the first fret and the fret where the neck joins the body. Then look at the gap between whatever fret is in the middle and the string. There may be no gap if the rod is tight. I don't like my necks perfectly flat. Some people do. I find a very slight bow fits my plaing style ( I tend to play kinda hard). If it's got backbow (curved toward the strings) your in trouble.

To flatten the neck, tighten the rod. To get more bow loosen it. Make small adjustments (1/8 to 1/4 turn) and don't crank it down really tight. Give it some time to settle in each time.

I usually have to adjust mine in the late fall and late spring when the temp changes.

 

[NYMorningstar]

It probably had Martins on there before. The reason I like Elixers is I don't have to constantly deal with the pain and expense of changing to new strings every two weeks.

It's too bad that Cadmium is so toxic. I'll bet that would produce a string coating that would sound great and last forever.

I used to go through a set of new strings every week or so depending on how often I played until I started taking an old t-shirt and cleaning them immediately after playing. They now last at least 3 weeks before I need to change them. I think the acids and water in your skin helps the corrosion along and wiping them off keeps them from corroding so fast.

 

[Buck62]

Hey doc...

First of all, I didn't forget that CD... I'm had some technical difficulties in the past 2 weeks, which have just been corrected.
I'll git on that ASAP.

Secondly, my EJ-200 is doing just great! (...knock on wood!)

I had an L.R. Baggs Micro EQ System installed in it and it sounds PHENOMENAL!!!!!
I bring that guitar out on Sunday nights for open-stage and it puts every other guitar to shame... no lie!
I've got guys with these super-expensive Taylor's and Martin's that were embarrassed to admit it at first... but now they ask to borrow my Epiphone to play when they perform.

The Bagg's system costs around $225 (including "professional" installation!) and it's one of the best investments I've ever made in my 27 years of playing.

Oh, and I haven't had any problems with buzz at all.

 

[hixmix]

Cheapskate!

 

[drstawl]

>Cheapskate!

You play a cigar box/broomstick strung with rubberbands stolen from the neighbors' Sunday paper and you're calling someone a cheapskate?

 

[hixmix]

So? Hang me.