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Systematic Approach to Eliminating Nut Buzz?
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Author:  SteveT [ Tue Mar 01, 2011 7:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Systematic Approach to Eliminating Nut Buzz?
I have a nut buzz on the 1st string of my first SS build. How do I go about deciding what needs to be done? I've increased the back angle which seems to have lessened the problem. What procedures do you use to know what adjustments to make? A feeler gauge measures the slot to be 0.015" & the string is 0.012". Is that too much of a mismatch? How long should the slot be before it slants back to the head? I've have nut buzzes on some of my classicals, & I've always been able to fix them; but I never felt I understood what specifically needed to be done. More like a trial & error approach. I'd like a systematic way to fix these. idunno
Author:  Tom West [ Tue Mar 01, 2011 9:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Systematic Approach to Eliminating Nut Buzz?
Steve: Are you sure it's at the nut and not the saddle...? If it's a sitar type sound it may be at saddle.
Tom
Author:  SteveT [ Tue Mar 01, 2011 9:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Systematic Approach to Eliminating Nut Buzz?
westca wrote:
Steve: Are you sure it's at the nut and not the saddle...? If it's a sitar type sound it may be at saddle.
Tom

Tom- The buzz goes away whenever the 1st string is fretted - all the way up the neck.
Author:  wbergman [ Wed Mar 02, 2011 7:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Systematic Approach to Eliminating Nut Buzz?
"How long should the slot be before it slants back to the head?"

Not sure what you mean, but the slanted slot should be the full width of the nut. If you leave a spot near the front edge that is not slanted, you may still get the buzz.
Author:  TonyKarol [ Wed Mar 02, 2011 7:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Systematic Approach to Eliminating Nut Buzz?
Either the nut slot is too low, or it has a horn shape at the exit of the string towards the first fret, and the string is rattling around in it.
Keep the file straight as you file, ie no wobble side to side, and slightly angled back .. works for me. 15 thou for a 12 string is fine.
Author:  SteveT [ Wed Mar 02, 2011 8:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Systematic Approach to Eliminating Nut Buzz?
TonyKarol wrote:
Either the nut slot is too low, or it has a horn shape at the exit of the string towards the first fret, and the string is rattling around in it.

Tony- By "too low" do you mean "not of sufficient depth" or "too deep"? Thanks. -Steve
Author:  ChuckG [ Wed Mar 02, 2011 9:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Systematic Approach to Eliminating Nut Buzz?
Hold the string between the first fret and the nut and wiggle it sideways while looking directly down on the nut slot (I use 4x magnifying glasses for this). If the string moves past the front edge of the nut (toward the peghead) then the slot needs to angle back towards the peghead more - the break point is not at the front edge.

Once you get this done, fret and hold the string at the 3rd fret and push down on the string at the second fret while watching (from the side - the glasses help here, too) how much space is between the bottom of the string and the first fret. There should be a very tiny gap. I don't actually measure it, but is't probably .003" or so.

You may go back and forth doing these two checks and adjustments a few times before you get it right and you may end up filing the nut slot too deep (ask me how I know [headinwall] ) but with practice, you'll get it right and you'll develop a feel for the process. Nut blanks are cheap so don't be afraid to start over.

Good luck!

Chuck
Author:  Haans [ Wed Mar 02, 2011 10:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Systematic Approach to Eliminating Nut Buzz?
Stick a little bit of paper in the nut slot and see if the problem goes away. Might take a couple/three pieces.
If it goes away, the slot is too deep and you will have to fill it, shim the nut or make a new one.
Author:  TonyKarol [ Wed Mar 02, 2011 10:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Systematic Approach to Eliminating Nut Buzz?
Right .. what Haans said .. the nut slot is too deep, allowing the string to buzz on the first fret ...
Author:  Stuart Gort [ Wed Mar 02, 2011 11:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Systematic Approach to Eliminating Nut Buzz?
Measure the string height off the first fret with a set of feeler gauges. I shoot for .018" on all strings for electrics....and a little bit lower with heavier strings. If you measure and find more than .015" it's more likely to be the nut causing the buzz.

The string must make a clean angular break as it meets the nut. A parallel groove, or even worse, a negative angle on the groove will result in the string "wandering around"....looking for place to terminate. This can cause buzz.

The systematic method to solve this is to control the angle of the groove as it is initially cut. Try raising the level of the first fret with layers of tape so that a positive angle must be cut into the nut when starting the grooves.
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