Buzzing sound on 19-21fret on high e

[greendy123]

I noticed when I play these frets on my guitar a buzzing sound comes out instead of a clear ringing sound. I checked my other strings and the sound was fine, not buzzy on other 21frets. Even after new strings the sound was still there. I know that can't be something about frets in front the 21st fret because its the last fret. The sound is clear on other frets before the 19th, so there shouldn't be a problem with saddles burrs. I tried signficantly lowering the pickups and the problem still occurred. I actually forgot to check the other frets, as I only was concerned about the 21st fret while changing heights. Everything but 21st fret I think may be a problem solved by changing the truss rod. I'm starting to think there may be a burr on the 21st fret, but I tried bending the string higher and it still happened even at B string, where the B string rings fine. I have checked this on 2 amps so that can't be the problem. What do you guys think the problem is?

 

[JammerMatt]

Re: Buzzing sound on 19-21fret on high e

Just a longshot, but your 19 to 21 frets are right above the lag screws holding the neck to the body (neck pocket), yes? Might check the tightness of those screws.... DON'T OVERTIGHTEN. Other than this, I haven't a clue except for maybe a loose fret, or some other sympathetic vibration. You might check the taughtness of all screws, maybe give a tiny tweak to the bridge saddle and trem springs (if you have them).

 

[greendy123]

Re: Buzzing sound on 19-21fret on high e

Just a longshot, but your 19 to 21 frets are right above the lag screws holding the neck to the body (neck pocket), yes? Might check the tightness of those screws.... DON'T OVERTIGHTEN. Other than this, I haven't a clue except for maybe a loose fret, or some other sympathetic vibration. You might check the taughtness of all screws, maybe give a tiny tweak to the bridge saddle and trem springs (if you have them).

Yeah I tried moving the saddle up and down, that didn't solve the problem. Right now the trem springs are set so the bridge is flush with the body.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Buzzing sound on 19-21fret on high e

Sounds like thew end of the 21st fret may have raised itself... a tech will be able to say for sure

 

[octavedoctor]

Re: Buzzing sound on 19-21fret on high e

My best guess is that the micro tilt system in the neck pocket has caused this. This has to be one of the stupidest designs Fender have ever implemented.

The seventies version was OK, it used a pressure plate in the back of the neck but the 4 bolt system (actually 4 screw; go figure...) uses the anchor slug of the truss rod as a pressure plate. The problem is that this is big and there is only about an eighth of an inch between the top of it and the underside of the fingerboard, so the entire force is concentrated on the fingerboard. I have seen many bulges caused by this and even a fingerboard cracked.

Another possiblity is that your pickup is too close to the string and the action is too low. Magnetic weighting could cause this particularly with staggered pole pieces.

Fretting out can be caused by trying to achieve a low action while you have too much relief in the neck but I would expect this to occur lower down if this was the case.

 

[greendy123]

Re: Buzzing sound on 19-21fret on high e

I have HH setup with it so staggered pole pieces shouldn't be a problem because the poles are setup flush with the bobbins. I've tried lowering both my pickups and the problem still happens. Adjusting the string height didn't really have a effect on the buzzing.

 

[greendy123]

Re: Buzzing sound on 19-21fret on high e

I tried bending my b string to where the e string is and it was ringing fine at the spot. I'm starting to think maybe the string cause I don't remember if was ringing when the string was new.

 

[greendy123]

Re: Buzzing sound on 19-21fret on high e

I found the problem was just old strings after I changed the strings about 2 weeks ago. Now the same problem is happening again, I guess it just the strings are wearing or rustings too fast. Anyone of any strings that would last long except for the expensive elixir ones. Another weird thing is that it happens around 21st fret on the high e. Guess I should stop playing notes around there now.

 

[JammerMatt]

Re: Buzzing sound on 19-21fret on high e

I have a few suggestions for your rusting problems, as I have faced those in the past:

1. Elixirs. Expensive? Yes. Long lasting - yes, especially when you combine with:

2. Fast Fret, Finger Ease or similar slippery product. I found that cleaning the strings after every playing session extended string life significantly. Some people have a hard time with the slipperiness, but I personally tend to like it, and it keeps people from playing with my stuff.

3. Reduce Caffeine intake. Sounds strange, but there's something to the amount of coffee you might be drinking... at least it was for me.