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Danny Boy
Aloha
USA
25 Posts |
 Posted - 08/01/2006 : 09:04:58 AM
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when a luthier says "light guage" strings only, it seems a little vague..every string maker is slightly different...
Is my guitar going to self destruct going heavier by .03" on the 6th string to stop buzz in open G tuning? or is a truss rod/neck tension adjustment a better plan?
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Reid
Ha`aha`a
Andorra
1526 Posts |
Posted - 08/01/2006 : 10:03:49 AM
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Normally a luthier wants lights because he/she is afraid of the bridge ripping off (slight exagggeration), or the bridge rotating towards the neck, and/or the top bulging, or a combination thereof, due either to light bracing or a thin top made of relatively weak wood (like Englemann).
So, neck adjustments do nothing for this. BTW, there is no such thing as a "neck tension adjustment", in my experience.
However, if you are going to *stay* in Taro Patch, or better yet, Leonard's C, an increase in 6th string size should not hurt anything. I offer no warranties.
Better yet, find out why and where it is buzzing, and fix that. Recently a friend had the same symptom. It turned out that, as it often does, that a fret had risen - nearly popped out. That happens most often in dry climates and is very common. A fret level often needs to be done every few years and is inexpensive and quickly done by a good tech.
...Reid |
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2168 Posts |
Posted - 08/01/2006 : 10:04:48 AM
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| Lots of times the lighter gages are to keep the top from becoming convex. When I got my Martin years ago, the luthier told me to use lights ( the top had dished out a bit, but went back to normal after I changed from mediums to lights ). A buzz might mean that your bridge and/or saddle need attention. |
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Danny Boy
Aloha
USA
25 Posts |
Posted - 08/01/2006 : 10:23:56 AM
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| thanks Reid..hard to sift through all of rumor and hearsay re: guitars. Normally I love to know all, but when it comes to this..I am happy to just buy pretty guitars and play them...Hooray for online forums |
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Mika ele
Ha`aha`a
USA
1493 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2006 : 08:14:29 AM
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Danny Boy,
Come by Kaisen's with your "Kika" of choice and have Bill look at it. He is a master and will make positive suggestions. The guys at Buffalo Brothers are also getting better at answering the "Slack Key Questions" and may also give good advice. |
E nana, e ho'olohe. E pa'a ka waha, e hana ka lima. |
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Danny Boy
Aloha
USA
25 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2006 : 11:14:46 AM
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| Good idea. I will take it back to BuffaloBros where I got it...they are usually pretty helpful...just didn't seem like they'd "get it" with me altering tuning, then complaining about it.... |
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Mika ele
Ha`aha`a
USA
1493 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2006 : 10:48:05 AM
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Dan,
When you go back to BB (the place with the giant chicken on the roof), make sure to tell them what tuning you are using most often. You may need the truss rod adjusted slightly.
If you have a Taylor, you might take it to the factory. I had some other repairs needed on my Taylor K-22 (kids my daughters were babysitting got loose in the music room -- not a pretty story) so I took it back to El Cajon (Taylor Factory). I told them the tuning I was using the most often, the range of tunings I play in, and included a new set of the strings I like the most (Elixir, Phosphor Bronze, Nano Coating, Light Gauge). I just don't like the feel and sound of medium strings for slack key on that guitar.
Taylor reset the neck for free and adjusted the truss rod. Now the action is perfect, no more string buzz (unless I try to wail on the strings), and I love playing that guitar even more than I did before. |
E nana, e ho'olohe. E pa'a ka waha, e hana ka lima. |
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slackkeymike
Lokahi
440 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2006 : 07:42:18 AM
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This is very interesting, and Reid's first response is spot on. Recently, my Taylor 810 began to acquire some buzzing and deadened sounds on the 1st & 2nd strings (bottom) near the 4th, 5th and 6th frets. Nothing I did seemed to fix it. I am the second owner and take very good care of my instruments. So I figured something historical was going on. Took it to my favorite shop that deals with Taylors. Turns out that my first 9 frets had "lifted" and were loose (though I could not tell!) and the saddle was leaning. He reseated the frets,crowned them, and replaced the saddle with a new Taylor version. It sounds WONDERFUL now!! To think I was almost ready to sell her. My guy said the same thing about dryness. The Taylor used to live in Texas, so I guess we now know. Take you guitar to a reputable repair person and have it rehumidified, look at the frets and saddle.
Mike |
Aloha, Mike |
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Danny Boy
Aloha
USA
25 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2006 : 3:09:03 PM
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that is a good possibility...I think Kevin K at Buff Bros said My Goodall's original owner was in Idaho.
Bear in mind there is no evidence of any impending failure, the instrument looks perfect, and the buzz is mostly at near peak volumes.
I am still going to have it looked at. |
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Mika ele
Ha`aha`a
USA
1493 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2006 : 4:55:02 PM
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Danny,
See you Tuesday at Kaisen's with your Goodall?
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E nana, e ho'olohe. E pa'a ka waha, e hana ka lima. |
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Danny Boy
Aloha
USA
25 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2006 : 8:08:55 PM
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working almost all tuesday nights this month. sept. should be better.
thanks for your offers |
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