Thanks Steve I started doing this, when I came to the third string I decided to
shorten it before I started to fit it, but unfortunately I cut off too much
from the end and now it’s barely long enough so looks like I’ll have to buy
another set after all. I’m going to do that anyway but out of interest, how
much of a difference does it make to have five strings of one make and a
solitary one of another, especially if they are all nickel coated?
Now to strings and recommendations: I’m looking at choosing the Ernie Ball
super slinky‘s, because these seem to get top reviews everywhere and are
considered to be number one worldwide.
but I have a question, I used to think all electric guitar strings had a ball
at the Bridge end, but reading reviews of different manufacturers, I see some
have what is referred to as a tube end, and I don’t know if my guitar would
take the latter. My strings fit through the body of my telly, which is to say
there are six holes on the back of the guitar corresponding to the saddles on
the front, so strings with a ball at the end just push through and are held in
place, but if I finished up with the alternative tube ends, does anyone know if
they would still fit?
Andy Collins
Sent from my iPhone
On 26 Oct 2020, at 6:14 pm, dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
Hi Andy,
To be honest, I don't think there is a proper prescribed way to do it. My
own method seems to work for me ok. I slot the string into the slot leaving
only a little slack on the neck side to provide some string to tighten up on.
For the bottom 4 strings, E A D and G, I bend the string back on itself and
then wind in the slack that I previously left. On the top B and E strings,
sometimes I will loop the string back on itself and slot it back into the
slot providing a full slotted loop.
Hope that helps.
Steve
-----Original Message-----
From: vibe-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <vibe-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of Andy
C
Sent: 26 October 2020 17:07
To: vibe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [vibe] Re: Recording of fret buzz
Thanks Steve. So once I’ve put the string in the slot, do I then bend it down
and wrap it round underneath itself against the bottom of the post where it
meets the machine head? Is there actually a right or wrong way to do it
anyway? Does it matter how I do it as long as I get it to tune up and play?
Andy Collins
Sent from my iPhone
On 26 Oct 2020, at 2:16 pm, dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
Hi Andy,
Really glad to see we've got the string sorted now. From the recording, it
did sound like it hadn't anything to do with action or anything like that.
A bit of a kink would certainly cause a few problems. As for the tuning
mechanism, slot the string into the slot and then tune it. I have the very
same type on my Schecter Bass.
Best wishes
Steve
-----Original Message-----
From: vibe-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <vibe-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf
Of Andy C
Sent: 26 October 2020 13:58
To: vibe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [vibe] Re: Recording of fret buzz
Thanks Steve for the thoughts. What I did find when I slackened off the
string was a slight kink on the fret side of the string, which wasn’t
noticeable when the string was taught. I’ve now replaced that string and it
seems to have resolve the problem, who rah! However I now have a question
about fitting new strings.
because I’ve not seen tuning pegs quite like this before, I need some
guidance to fit the strings.
Instead of having a whole through the centre of the tuning peg through which
to feed the string, these tuning pegs are slotted on the top, and so I don’t
know whether to wind the string round the peg, or to sit it in the slot and
then wind it round the peg additionally. So I’d like some help please,
because I’ve stopped for now having fitted the bottom E string, which whilst
staying in tune, I’m not sure if i’ve fitted it correctly to the tuning peg,
and I don’t want to create issues from putting pressure on the instrument
from taught strings wrongly fitted.
Andy Collins
Sent from my iPhone
On 26 Oct 2020, at 12:03 pm, dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
I'd say, any wearing of a string could lead to potential issues such as
fret buzzing but, from your recording, it does sound potentially more than
that. Are you anywhere near a shop that you can take it to?
If it is happening only on one string, perhaps you could try changing it.
I mean, it's only a string so you won't have spent much on it. You never
know, it might just sort it. Can you feel any threading or abnormalities
on the string at that position? Is there maybe a piece of crud that's got
stuck to the underside of the string? I'm sort of clutching at straws a
little here Andy.
Best wishes
Steve
Steve
-----Original Message-----
From: vibe-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <vibe-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf
Of Andy C
Sent: 26 October 2020 11:46
To: vibe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [vibe] Re: Recording of fret buzz
Thanks for this article very interesting. My acoustic is actually a Martin,
but this issue anyway is on my fender Squier telly electric. I know some
may frown at Squier, but nonetheless for me it plays beautifully, and it
was one of The more expensive models from Squier.
I’ve had The guitar for 12 months, and this problem just started happening
this week. From reading the article, I wonder if it is as simple as fitting
a new string; can a worn string create fret buzz on a single fret I wonder?
Andy Collins
Sent from my iPhone
On 26 Oct 2020, at 10:13 am, dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
Hi Andy,
I think the recording was an excellent idea. I think it helps to explain
the issue a lot better. To me, it sounds like there is an issue with the
intonation. This basically is the relationship between the strings and
the physical body of the guitar in terms of its tuning. There is quite a
lot of complexity to it so, I've pasted below an article that explains it
in a lot more detail than I can smiles. It also tells you how you can
adjust it but, I'd fully recommend that you get a technician to do it
unless you are very familiar with setting up a guitar. From some dark and
distant past somewhere, I seem to recall you have a Tailor and you
certainly do not want to damage that!
What is intonation? With musical instruments, intonation refers to pitch
accuracy—the extent to which the notes formed are in tune, versus being
flat or sharp. When a player tunes a guitar using an electronic guitar
tuner, they do so by plucking the open (unfretted) strings. However, when
a string is fretted, the tension on the string increases, which bends the
pitch of the note slightly upward. The effect is subtle, but this change
can impact the intonation, in some cases causing “sour” notes and
dissonant chords if the guitar’s intonation is not set properly. Often
intonation issues are associated with playing higher up the fretboard
(closer to the guitar body). Something else to keep in mind is that the
closer a string is to the frets, the less it needs to stretch since it
doesn’t have as far to go. This means that low action tends to produce
more accurate intonation. Intonation issues can be subtle or dramatic
depending on a guitar’s setup. For guitarists who record or play music
live, intonation problems can ruin a recording session or a live
performance. How is acoustic guitar intonation adjusted? While adjusting
the acoustic guitar intonation is conceptually the same as an electric
guitar, due to certain differences in construction (e.g., different types
of saddles) the processes vary in some respects. Most acoustic players
take their guitars to a qualified guitar technician when they need their
intonation adjusted. Typically, proper acoustic guitar intonation begins
with a full setup, along with a fresh set of strings. With Taylor guitars,
provided there is no fret wear, the setup often solves serious acoustic
guitar intonation problems. However, many high-level players still
appreciate a luthier’s specific attention to intonation, because it will
address each player’s style and technique on that particular instrument.
The technician will check the guitar’s action (the distance between the
strings and the fretboard), as well as the instrument’s neck relief. This
refers to the slight bowing intentionally created in the neck to set the
action. It can be controlled by tightening or loosening the truss rod,
which is located in the neck. Essentially, the technician is trying to get
everything right before actually adjusting the acoustic guitar’s
intonation. This removes the extra variables and makes it easier to dial
in the intonation. From there, they’ll usually address the nut and saddle,
where the strings stretch over a piece of bone, plastic or other synthetic
material. Most saddles are placed at a slight angle to the bridge, which
adds length to the lower strings to adjust for differences in string
thickness. Likewise, many saddles are made with compensation points for
some or all of the strings, which helps fine-tune those points even more.
When addressing a player’s particular style and technique, a skilled
guitar technician can cut more accurate notches into the saddle,
effectively adjusting the intonation of each string by changing the
string’s distance from the nut. The technician will check the pitch of
each string at the 12th fret to ensure that it’s in tune with the pitch of
the open string. Checking the nut, where the strings rest at the peghead
before winding around the tuning machines, is critical. String slots that
are cut flat, high-centered, or left too high, along with improper
placement of the nut, will prevent a guitar from achieving good
intonation. At Taylor, we have the added benefit of our proprietary neck
design, which ensures that every guitar is built with proper action and
accurate nut and saddle location. The guitar neck design also makes it
easy to adjust the neck angle and allows for setup-related intonation
fixes without changing the position of the nut or the saddle. In the end,
intonation on a tempered scale instrument can never be perfect. And keep
in mind that another factor that can affect acoustic guitar intonation is
a person’s playing technique. For example, players with a heavy fretting
hand or a beginner might press down harder than necessary on the strings,
resulting in notes going sharp. In other words, in a certain player’s
hands, even a properly set-up guitar can sound like it’s out of tune.
Since there are so many variables, we recommend that players change their
strings before consulting a service technician to adjust their intonation,
since guitar strings naturally lose some elasticity with time and wear.
Otherwise, a technician can find the sweet spot on your guitar that
provides the best possible intonation all the way up and down the neck.
-----Original Message-----
From: vibe-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <vibe-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On
Behalf Of Andy C
Sent: 25 October 2020 23:15
To: vibe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [vibe] Recording of fret buzz
Dave – I can’t feel any damage to the fret, it doesn’t feel worn, and the
fret wire doesn’t feel differently to any of the others.
Chris, thanks for suggesting that I record the sound, I hope you can hear
it well enough from the attachment.
Andy Collins
