Fret Buzz on Marlene's Low E String

[SIx String Chef]

Looking for informed opinions here: After adjusting the FR bridge on Marlene (Blue Schecter) I put her away for a few weeks and just brought her out today for a quick play. I noticed a bad buzz on the low E string when fretting the 5th fret only. It kind of barely starts at the 3rd fret, increasing a bit on the 4th and getting really bad (choke) on the 5th fret. Move to the 6th fret, it plays beautifully, as it does on the rest of the fretboard, all strings, all other frets.

Maybe a bit more relief thru truss rod adjustment (2-way)? Words of wisdom are much appreciated!

 

[Amp Mad Scientist]

Looking for informed opinions here: After adjusting the FR bridge on Marlene (Blue Schecter) I put her away for a few weeks and just brought her out today for a quick play. I noticed a bad buzz on the low E string when fretting the 5th fret only. It kind of barely starts at the 3rd fret, increasing a bit on the 4th and getting really bad (choke) on the 5th fret. Move to the 6th fret, it plays beautifully, as it does on the rest of the fretboard, all strings, all other frets.

Maybe a bit more relief thru truss rod adjustment (2-way)? Words of wisdom are much appreciated!

The truss rod is supposed to be adjusted to give neck slight relief.
The neck should not be flat.
This is because a string vibrates more in the middle than at the ends...

Besides this, sounds like a fret level job.
A skilled professional luthier is always worth the price.
You might have a couple high frets.

 

[syscokid]

Maybe the 6th fret is high on the low E side. Is the fret well seated? Do you have a very short and precise straight edge like one of them StewMac Fret Rockers?

 

[SIx String Chef]

Yes, I do have one. Just checked it and there is indeed, just a very slight rock on the 6th fret, low side. Mostly between the E and A strings. But in the same ballpark as a few other fret rocking spots I found on other strings.

I also just noticed another thing, too: as I'm strumming the low E with the guitar flat on my lap there is a buzz when playing it open and in some other frets. It obviously goes away when in the normal playing position. What do you think about maybe raising the action on that string just a little and see how it reacts in normal playing position?

 

[Amp Mad Scientist]

Yes, I do have one. Just checked it and there is indeed, just a very slight rock on the 6th fret, low side. Mostly between the E and A strings. But in the same ballpark as a few other fret rocking spots I found on other strings.

I also just noticed another thing, too: as I'm strumming the low E with the guitar flat on my lap there is a buzz when playing it open and in some other frets. It obviously goes away when in the normal playing position. What do you think about maybe raising the action on that string just a little and see how it reacts in normal playing position?

Sounds like you need to loosen the truss rod just a little bit first.

 

[syscokid]

What do you think about maybe raising the action on that string just a little and see how it reacts in normal playing position?

Whatever you're comfortable with. As AMS is suggesting, does the guitar have any relief?

 

[Cadorman]

What is the normal way for measuring relief? Capo at 1st and 13th fret, measure at 8th? How much relief should you have with a tremolo?

 

[Amp Mad Scientist]

What is the normal way for measuring relief? Capo at 1st and 13th fret, measure at 8th? How much relief should you have with a tremolo?

 

[Amp Mad Scientist]

What is the normal way for measuring relief? Capo at 1st and 13th fret, measure at 8th? How much relief should you have with a tremolo?

What it sounds like:
buzzing from the open string near the middle of the fretboard, where the relief should be.
So that makes me think of a fingerboard with too little relief.

Just basically, a feeler gauge to measure it.

but people who play harder will get more buzzing, usually students of guitar.
And more experienced players will play less hard, as they develop technique.

And so, experienced players will have less relief / a flatter neck, but they don't have a big problem with buzzing because they don't play as hard on the strings.
And they can set the action lower, with less fear of buzzing from playing too hard.

 

[Cadorman]

What it sounds like:
buzzing from the open string near the middle of the fretboard, where the relief should be.
So that makes me think of a fingerboard with too little relief.

Just basically, a feeler gauge to measure it.

but people who play harder will get more buzzing, usually students of guitar.
And more experienced players will play less hard, as they develop technique.

And so, experienced players will have less relief / a flatter neck, but they don't have a big problem with buzzing because they don't play as hard on the strings.
And they can set the action lower, with less fear of buzzing from playing too hard.

I think I use a .010" feeler gauge on my Gibsons. I haven't even checked the Jackson yet as I am happy with the action and there is no buzzing.

 

[SIx String Chef]

What it sounds like:
buzzing from the open string near the middle of the fretboard, where the relief should be.
So that makes me think of a fingerboard with too little relief.

Just basically, a feeler gauge to measure it.

but people who play harder will get more buzzing, usually students of guitar.
And more experienced players will play less hard, as they develop technique.

And so, experienced players will have less relief / a flatter neck, but they don't have a big problem with buzzing because they don't play as hard on the strings.
And they can set the action lower, with less fear of buzzing from playing too hard.

Thanks, AMS! I loosened the truss rod a little bit to give it more relief and let it sit for a while, to fully settle. I also adjusted the action, as it seemed to be a bit too high after the TR adjustment. Now the buzz is virtually gone. I need to put a fresh set of strings, fine-tweak and maybe do a little adjustment as needed to the FR trem.