Problem with Fret Buzzing! Help!

[jonaslaso24]

Hey guys,

I've just got myself a Washburn 10X a couple of months back from a forum elsewhere. I'm pretty much a beginner you could say, though I've had some experience with a semi-acoustic guitar for a couple of years.

But as I improved over the past few months I start to find out flaws that my guitar has.. I realized that firstly, the tone doesn't really suit my taste anymore? Like I don't feel good when I play a tune. Anyone has experienced this? I'm thinking its cause as I improve, I start to find out what kind of tone I want from my guitar when I play it and the Washburn 10X can't statisfy that...

And finally, i realized recently that the B string is pretty low compared to the others. Resulting in fret buzzing when I fret it on the first fret onwards. Is there anyway I can solve this problem?

I heard sending my guitar up for a set up would actually help. But I don't think its worth it cause I only got it at a 100 bucks. And a set up would cost more than half the price I bought it for...

Oh and I'm currently only using it to play acoustic songs.

So guys opinions and comments would be greatly appreciated!

* Should I keep playing and save up for a better guitar soon (any reccomendations for a guitar to get for acoustic songs)? Or send it for a set up? Or does the problem lie with me?
Cause I read reviews for that guitar that many of them had problems with fret buzzing too*
Cheers guys.

 

[teleplayer]

But as I improved over the past few months I start to find out flaws that my guitar has.. I realized that firstly, the tone doesn't really suit my taste anymore? Like I don't feel good when I play a tune. Anyone has experienced this? I'm thinking its cause as I improve, I start to find out what kind of tone I want from my guitar when I play it and the Washburn 10X can't statisfy that...

And finally, i realized recently that the B string is pretty low compared to the others. Resulting in fret buzzing when I fret it on the first fret onwards. Is there anyway I can solve this problem?

I heard sending my guitar up for a set up would actually help. But I don't think its worth it cause I only got it at a 100 bucks. And a set up would cost more than half the price I bought it for...

Yeah. I got a yamaha as my starter guitar and I start to dislike the tone as I improve. You feel that it's not worth it because your guitar costs only 100bucks? but it's your first electric guitar right...?

If you only play acoustic songs, you might want to consider selling away your electric guitar. You can get a semi-acoustic. The problem lies with the person playing and the guitar (a small %).

Hope this helps.

 

[jonaslaso24]

Yeah. I got a yamaha as my starter guitar and I start to dislike the tone as I improve. You feel that it's not worth it because your guitar costs only 100bucks? but it's your first electric guitar right...?

If you only play acoustic songs, you might want to consider selling away your electric guitar. You can get a semi-acoustic. The problem lies with the person playing and the guitar (a small %).

Hope this helps.

Yea its my first electric guitar. Well for right now I'm only playing acoustic songs cause I haven't got any idea how to start off with effects cause my amp doesnt have em. Maybe in the future. Plus I prefer electric guitars cause my hands are quite small, so I find it easier to play an electric with a 3/4 neck. I know some might say it all takes practise. But yeap I love electrics!

So a semi-acoustic won't do for now.. But may get an acoustic in the future to practise on when I move on to effects for my electric.

Thanks man.

People please help me out!

 

[floydfloat]

Bro, you need to raise the saddle of your B string to eliminate the fret buzz. You might need an allen key to do that.

 

[jonaslaso24]

Bro, you need to raise the saddle of your B string to eliminate the fret buzz. You might need an allen key to do that.

Ah.. I'm able to do it without professional assistance? I talked to a friend about it and he told me to just bring it down to Davis. At the same time I get a change of strings they'd do the adjustments for around 15 bucks or so for everything. Is that possible?

 

[teleplayer]

Ah.. I'm able to do it without professional assistance? I talked to a friend about it and he told me to just bring it down to Davis. At the same time I get a change of strings they'd do the adjustments for around 15 bucks or so for everything. Is that possible?

Actually, you can try on your own first. if you can solve the problem by raising the saddles only, then there ain't a need for you to bring down to any guitar shops. but for the neck adjustment(the truss rod thing), it's better that you let someone who is experienced to do it. I don't think it's that cheap... because they sure charge you for the strings. and the adjustments should include the truss rod adjustment, pickup height, the action of the guitar, adjusting the intonations and things like that... I DOUBT it's that cheap.

 

[jonaslaso24]

Actually, you can try on your own first. if you can solve the problem by raising the saddles only, then there ain't a need for you to bring down to any guitar shops. but for the neck adjustment(the truss rod thing), it's better that you let someone who is experienced to do it. I don't think it's that cheap... because they sure charge you for the strings. and the adjustments should include the truss rod adjustment, pickup height, the action of the guitar, adjusting the intonations and things like that... I DOUBT it's that cheap.

Ah.. I see. Hmms yea I'll probably check out some videos online on how to raise the saddles first. See if I can actually do it. But then again would raising the saddles solve the problem of that B string?

By adjusting the truss rod, we're actually adjusting the action of the guitar right? Well if its only one string.. then I guess I don't have to? And I guess they won't charge me much if I just wanna get one saddle raised?

 

[teleplayer]

I don't know if they will charge you much if you are just raising one saddle. but raising the saddles SHOULD solve the problem... actually by adjusting the truss rod, you are adjusting the neck relief...

have a look at this: http://users.powernet.co.uk/guitars/setup5.htm

 

[superpotato_30]

may not be the saddle.. check the nut too. if the buzz is not prominent or inaudible while plugged into an amp then its perfectly fine.

That aside a setup SHOULD happen everytime you purchase a guitar be it 1st or 2nd hand. Unless you are perfectly fine with the factory setup just like i am with regards to my Gibson.

 

[jonaslaso24]

I don't know if they will charge you much if you are just raising one saddle. but raising the saddles SHOULD solve the problem... actually by adjusting the truss rod, you are adjusting the neck relief...

have a look at this: http://users.powernet.co.uk/guitars/setup5.htm

Ah cool! Thanks for the info on that webbie. Yea.. But what I understand from there is that by adjusting the truss rod I'd actually adjust the relief and stuff. And that would actually affect all the strings right? I'm currently pretty happy with the action of the other strings... So yeaps.

I guess I'll try to adjust the saddle of that string first. If it doesn't work out I'll give Davis a call and check out the pricing.

Oh and yeaps. Do you have any reccomendations for a guitar that's good for acoustic songs? I really like the Les Paul shapes. But they are mostly using humbuckers that don't sound good without distortion right? That's cause my Washburn is SSH. I tried the humbuckers and didn't really like the sound of it without distortion..

 

[teleplayer]

Actually there are other places that do set-up for guitars. Examples: beez, tymusic, sweelee? standard value, etc etc. erm no. maybe your humbuckers are muddy or something... some humbuckers sounded really good in clean. but that's not entirely your pickup's fault. wads ur amplifier?

 

[jonaslaso24]

Actually there are other places that do set-up for guitars. Examples: beez, tymusic, sweelee? standard value, etc etc. erm no. maybe your humbuckers are muddy or something... some humbuckers sounded really good in clean. but that's not entirely your pickup's fault. wads ur amplifier?

Yea but I mean since my friend reccommended Davis I think I'll just try there if self fixing the saddles don't work.

Ah. Muddy? Hmms. Well not too sure. Never really had another electric to compare with. Gotta try some out soon though.

My amp's a SMARVO 15W. Doesn't have effects.. May be soon searching for an amp with effects to try out effects on my guitar. But kinda on a tight budget so yea. Any reccommendations?

 

[teleplayer]

many people will recommend the roland cube.. but i myself will recommend the vox valvetronix series.. look at the buy/sell forum...

 

[theunknown]

my recommendations:

- keep your guitar for sentimental value sake
- get an acoustic guitar to play acoustic songs
- find something that you want to play with an electric guitar.
- upgrade/advance your electric guitar gear to suit your playing influences, style, etc.

 

[jonaslaso24]

Yea I'm not gonna sell away this guitar cause the resale value is pretty low. So not much point there.

Any idea how much does a roland cube and vox valvetronix series cost? I'm on a pretty tight budget. And I'm wondering if I should get an effects Amp next or another electric guitar first.

Well... like I mentioned.. I don't really like playing an acoustic guitar. I prefer the 'feel' of an electric even though I play acoustic songs. But I'd probably get an acoustic just to practise on in the future. That's only when I get much better at playing though. *I still consider myself a beginner*

As for "upgrade/advance your electric guitar gear to suit your playing influences, style, etc. "

Its hard for me cause I don't know many people who play the guitar so its hard for me to judge on my own as I haven't checked out other gears in person...

Thanks for your replies guys!

Welcome more opinions and comments thanks!

 

[q666]

this thread helped me

Well a old topic already but i am in the same dilemma too, 2nd hand Samick Avion(the les paul copy) $100 not worth to fix awful fretbuzzing for E,A,D strings from 3rd fret onwards

thanks to this topic i raised the saddle 3 turns each, 1/4 turn tightening to the truss rod, now zero fretbuzz, but action become quite high need getting used to, but can imagine the $ i saved thanks guys!