An Ibanez PF200 came in with the jack and electronics crackling and the open strings buzzing on nut slots worn too low, plus an order for 10s. Electronics cleaned, nut slots filled, truss rod, bridge, intonation and pickups set for the new strings. An hour.
- Instrument
- Ibanez PF200
- Tech
- Dave Eastwood
- Customer complaint
- Setup and changing strings from 9s to 10s
- String gauge
- 9s to 10s
- Diagnosis
- Output jack and electronics cutting and crackling; nut slots worn too low, buzzing on the open strings; truss rod, intonation, bridge and pickup height needed adjusting for 10s
- Work performed
- Jack and electronics cleaned; nut slots filled; truss rod and bridge height set; intonation dialed in; pickups set for the new strings
- Parts
- None
- Bench time
- 1 hour
- Outcome
- Played great with the new gauge
What Came In
An Ibanez PF200. The owner wanted a setup and a move from 9s to 10s. The output jack and electronics were cutting out and crackling.
What We Found
The jack and electronics needed cleaning. The nut slots were worn too low and buzzed on the open strings. Going to 10s meant the truss rod, intonation and bridge needed adjusting, along with the pickup height.
What We Did
Cleaned out the jack and electronics. Filled the worn nut slots to stop the open buzz, then set the truss rod and bridge height before dialing in the intonation. Set the pickups for the new strings. About an hour on the bench.
Result
Played great on the new gauge.
Why does a worn nut buzz on the open strings?
A slot worn too low leaves the open string sitting almost on the first fret, so it buzzes only when played open and cleans up as soon as you fret a note. A slot cannot be raised, so it is filled and recut to the right depth.
Related
- The Repair Vault
- Guitar Setups at Paul's Guitar Hideout
- What Is Fret Buzz and How Do I Fix It
- Fender Stratocaster (Black, Tortoise Guard): Buzzing All Over
- When to Change Your Guitar Strings, and How to Know
Bring It In
Open strings buzz but fretted notes are clean? That is the nut, and it is a setup job. Setups 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