A black Fender Stratocaster with a tortoise pickguard came in buzzing all over, with a loose jack and a list of small problems behind it.
What Came In
A Fender Stratocaster, black with a tortoise pickguard, in for a setup. It was buzzing badly and the owner wanted it sorted.
What We Found
The output jack was loose and the electronics were cutting and scratching. The bridge mounting screws were too tight, so the tremolo could not move properly, and a saddle height screw was missing. The G string buzzed badly open because its nut slot was cut too low, and the truss rod, saddle heights, and intonation all needed work. The pickups were set too low.
What We Did
Tightened the jack and cleaned out the electronics. Removed a sticker from the headstock at the owner's request. Adjusted the bridge mounting screws and tremolo springs so the tremolo works right, and replaced the missing saddle height screw. Set the truss rod, filled and recut the low nut slot, set the saddle height and intonation, and brought the pickups up to the proper height. About an hour and fifty minutes on the bench.
Result
A lot of small things had turned this one into a problem child, and it is not anymore.
Worth Knowing
Buzzing all over is rarely one cause. It is usually a stack of small things, a low nut slot here, a too tight bridge screw there, that add up to a guitar that fights you. Working through them in order is what fixes it.
A nut slot cut too low cannot be adjusted back up, so the fix is to fill the slot and recut it to the right depth.
Bring It In
Got a guitar that buzzes everywhere and you can't tell why? Bring it in. Standard setup is $79 and we'll get it back in your hands as soon as possible.
Related
- What Is Fret Buzz and How Do I Fix It
- What a Guitar Setup Includes and Why It Matters
- Why Won't My Guitar Stay in Tune
Paul's Guitar Hideout is located at The Shirt Factory in Glens Falls, NY. Use the Cooper Street entrance and take the stairs up. If you need assistance, give us a call and we'll come down.
The Shirt Factory
71 Lawrence St., Suite 201B, 2nd Floor
Glens Falls, NY 12801
Wednesday to Sunday, 12 to 5pm
(518) 217-8695 · info@paulsguitarhideout.com