A mahogany Guild acoustic came in buzzing, with a strap button to install and a move from 12s down to 11s. The buzz traced to the truss rod adjustment and a worn nut; the saddle bottom was uneven too. Strap button in the heel, nut filled and evened, saddle evened, truss rod set for the lighter strings. An hour and a half.
- Instrument
- Guild acoustic, mahogany
- Tech
- Dave Eastwood
- Customer complaint
- Setup, fix a buzz, strap button, 12s to 11s
- String gauge
- 12s to 11s
- Diagnosis
- Buzz from an improperly adjusted truss rod and a worn nut; saddle bottom uneven
- Work performed
- Strap button installed in the heel; nut filled and evened out; bottom of the saddle evened and the low E lowered on top; truss rod adjusted for the change to 11s
- Parts
- Strap button
- Bench time
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Outcome
- No more buzz; strap button installed
What Came In
A mahogany Guild acoustic. The owner wanted the buzz fixed, a strap button added, and the strings moved from 12s down to 11s.
What We Found
The buzz came from two places: the truss rod was not adjusted right, and the nut was worn. The bottom of the saddle was uneven as well.
What We Did
Installed a strap button in the heel. Filled the nut and evened it out. Evened the bottom of the saddle and took the low E down a little on top. Adjusted the truss rod for the change from 12s to 11s. About an hour and a half on the bench.
Parts Replaced
One strap button, fitted in the heel.
Result
No more buzz, and the strap button is in.
Why does the bottom of the saddle matter?
The saddle stands in a slot in the bridge and passes the string vibration down to the top through its bottom face. If that face is uneven it rocks or bears on one end, and the string height and the tone go with it. Truing the bottom is a small job that gets missed a lot.
Related
- The Repair Vault
- Guitar Repair at Paul's Guitar Hideout
- What Is Fret Buzz and How Do I Fix It
- When to Change Your Guitar Strings, and How to Know
- LAG Acoustic: Interior Rattle Traced to the Jack Washer
Bring It In
Acoustic buzz with a couple of other things on the list? One drop-off covers it. Guitar repair at the Hideout.
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 stairs are difficult or you're bringing in something you don't want to carry up, call or text us and we'll arrange access.
The Shirt Factory
71 Lawrence St., Suite 201B, 2nd Floor
Glens Falls, NY 12801
Wednesday–Sunday, 12–5 PM
(518) 217-8695 · info@paulsguitarhideout.com