G string sounds buzzy only through the neck pickup

[GrabtharsHammer]

Hey,
I have a problem with my PRS SE Standard. The G string sounds buzzy (sounds mechanical like fret buzz, not like an electronic shielding problem), but strangely the buzz is only audible when playing through the neck pickup. When I play the guitar clean without amplification I don’t hear any fret buzz, the string sounds totally fine. When I play the guitar through the bridge pickup (Seymour Duncan Custom Trembucker) I don’t hear any buzz, too. But through the neck pickup (Seymour Duncan 59) the G string sounds buzzy and „broken“ on every fret position. I already changed the strings several times, checked string and pickup height, checked the neck adjustment - all fine. And I gave it to a luthier to check it and have it set up correctly. Nothing helped. I also don’t hear any other rattling on the guitar and the pickup doesn’t seem to sit too loose. Any idea what that could be? Could perhaps the neck pickup be faulty?
Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: G string sounds buzzy only through the neck pickup

I'd play with the polepiece; plain gs are "weird" strings that often require adjustments that are somewhat out of spec. vs. what is intuitive. Might not hurt to lower it and see if that helps, might be bringing out some ugly harmonics if there's no actual mechanical problem.

 

[GrabtharsHammer]

Re: G string sounds buzzy only through the neck pickup

Okay, I tried to increase and decrease the pole piece's height, but that didn't help, too. I really have no idea what else to do.
But it's really strange, because the buzz is only audible through the neck pickup. When I activate distortion and play lead guitar it sounds really bad.

 

[Jacew]

Re: G string sounds buzzy only through the neck pickup

What strings you're using? I found the g string to be particularly ear piercing with Slinkies, one reason I don't like those strings.

Another thing that I think of would be magnetic pull from pickup. You tried to adjust pole piece of neck pickup? Did you also tried to adjust bridge pickup lower?

 

[GrabtharsHammer]

Re: G string sounds buzzy only through the neck pickup

I am using Dean Markley Blue Steel strings. I've been playing them for many, many years and never had any problems with them. Tried different gauges, too.

Yes, I already tried to lower the pickups (both bridge and neck), because I thought it might have to do with magnetic pull (the 59 in the neck position has an Alnico V). Didn't help either.

 

[GrabtharsHammer]

Re: G string sounds buzzy only through the neck pickup

Here is a small audio clip I just recorded to demonstrate the issue.
It's just a few notes played on the G string, then on the B string. In the first half of the clip I play through the neck pickup - the G string sounds buzzy and unreasonably "dirty", the B string sound totally fine. In the second half of the clip I play the same notes, but instead through the bridge pickup. Both strings sound good through the bridge pickup.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: G string sounds buzzy only through the neck pickup

I'm hearing it through the bridge pickup too, though it's not as prominent. It sounds like overtones that are being brought out by the distortion and exacerbated by the neck-position pickup. I don't think it's the pickup's fault so much as it is where the pickup is located.

 

[Darg1911]

Re: G string sounds buzzy only through the neck pickup

I think I can hear a hint of it in a couple of the notes played on the B string as well but maybe that's just me or my lousy audio here. At any rate, does it do it at all volume levels, or only over a certain level? Tube amp? Did you try it through an amp at the store? This is a major long shot but try another amp if it's a tube amp. I've got a microphonic 6SL7 in a SE amp that is excited by certain notes, particularly on the A/5th string. And it can act strange because, for example, something like D on the 5th string will excite the hell out of it while the open D wont. If it is a microphonic tube, it would still be strange that every note on one string would excite it, but listening to your clip, I hear it worse on some than others. Like I said, it's a long shot but try another amp anyway, if you have one. Also, make sure it's not some other type of sympathetic buzz emanating from the speaker or cabinet. Of course that would be ruled out if it's happening with different amps and/or cabinets.

One more thing. Sounds eerily similar to the sound that spawned my changing out a cheap tune-o-matic bridge not long ago. Damned G saddle buzzing like crazy. Sounded very similar to that amplified, but of course I could hear (and feel) it unplugged as well. I know, pretty much impossible to be the cause if it's one of the stock SE wrap tailpieces with no adjustable saddles.

Probably not much help, sorry.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: G string sounds buzzy only through the neck pickup

I think the saddle/bridge is a good thing to look at. It could be the source of the overtones in the first place.

 

[GrabtharsHammer]

Re: G string sounds buzzy only through the neck pickup

Many thanks for your input, guys!
I already upgraded the guitar's stock nut und bridge to higher quality ones about a year ago. But as far as I can remember the annoying G string / neck pickup sound was already there before bridge and nut got replaced.
Relating to amps... well, I play through amp sims (Kazrog, Mercuriall), not a real tube amp. My audio interface is fine, I checked that. And my recording level is fine as well, no clipping there.
I am not quite sure if the B string noise you heard is of the same origin as the G string's or just my inaccurate playing... ;-)
I just did some more research and I could find a couple of people that seem to have the same problem with their G string. Some of them successfully fixed it by exchanging the plain G string for a wound one. I just ordered one. Wish me luck!

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: G string sounds buzzy only through the neck pickup

I bet the wound G does it. I've been plagued by clangy G strings since forever, but I've come to accept a certain amount of it.

 

[Darg1911]

Re: G string sounds buzzy only through the neck pickup

Many thanks for your input, guys!
I already upgraded the guitar's stock nut und bridge to higher quality ones about a year ago. But as far as I can remember the annoying G string / neck pickup sound was already there before bridge and nut got replaced.
Relating to amps... well, I play through amp sims (Kazrog, Mercuriall), not a real tube amp. My audio interface is fine, I checked that. And my recording level is fine as well, no clipping there.
I am not quite sure if the B string noise you heard is of the same origin as the G string's or just my inaccurate playing... ;-)
I just did some more research and I could find a couple of people that seem to have the same problem with their G string. Some of them successfully fixed it by exchanging the plain G string for a wound one. I just ordered one. Wish me luck!

I've got little, tinny speakers sitting in front of me, so it's probably that. I didn't pop the ear buds in to listen.

Just curious ... have you ever played a wound G before?

 

[GrabtharsHammer]

Re: G string sounds buzzy only through the neck pickup

No, I haven't. But I guess if there is a chance to improve the guitar's sound, then it's worth trying.

 

[VinceT]

G string sounds buzzy only through the neck pickup

Here is a small audio clip I just recorded to demonstrate the issue.
It's just a few notes played on the G string, then on the B string. In the first half of the clip I play through the neck pickup - the G string sounds buzzy and unreasonably "dirty", the B string sound totally fine. In the second half of the clip I play the same notes, but instead through the bridge pickup. Both strings sound good through the bridge pickup.

Any chance you can grab a quick clip like this without the distortion/drive? I have an idea, but need to hear it clean to be sure.

Sometimes, the string cuts into the metal of the bridge saddle and if it's uneven, or if there's a burr, you can end up with a mandolin-type doubling/chorus. I'm wondering if your g-string saddle has a rough slot - as I say, a clean track would help spot it.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[GrabtharsHammer]

Re: G string sounds buzzy only through the neck pickup

Any chance you can grab a quick clip like this without the distortion/drive? I have an idea, but need to hear it clean to be sure.

Here it is.

 

[GrabtharsHammer]

Re: G string sounds buzzy only through the neck pickup

Well, what can I say... just got the wired G string I ordered...

No buzz anymore!!!

The downside: I don't like the sound of the wired G string compared to the plain one (well, apart from the missing buzz, of course) and bending really sucks.
I guess the main problem is the Schaller Signum bridge I got installed last year. Its studs sit a little loose in the bushings, so that the bridge leans slightly towards the neck. Perhaps this is the true origin of the issue. When I put a small piece of metal between the G string and the saddle, the buzz completely vanishes. I think I will pay some more $$$ and order the highly acclaimed Mann Made intonatable stoptail bridge for PRS.

But until I get the new bridge, the wired G string will do just fine.

 

[Darg1911]

Re: G string sounds buzzy only through the neck pickup

Well, what can I say... just got the wired G string I ordered...

No buzz anymore!!!

The downside: I don't like the sound of the wired G string compared to the plain one (well, apart from the missing buzz, of course) and bending really sucks.
I guess the main problem is the Schaller Signum bridge I got installed last year. Its studs sit a little loose in the bushings, so that the bridge leans slightly towards the neck. Perhaps this is the true origin of the issue. When I put a small piece of metal between the G string and the saddle, the buzz completely vanishes. I think I will pay some more $$$ and order the highly acclaimed Mann Made intonatable stoptail bridge for PRS.

But until I get the new bridge, the wired G string will do just fine.

Regarding bends

The bridge lean on those wraparounds with adjustable saddles is pretty typical. Not just for the Schaller. I have a Graptech that leans slightly. But it doesn't buzz. I really don't think the lean has anything to do with it.

Regarding the lean ... they do make locking studs that have a top screw that is threaded into the post so it can be used to tighten down the bridge and prevent the lean. The problem is whether the post size and that screw with fit your bridge or not. The one I tried didn't fit the Graptech right. Looking for the link now ...

They have at least a couple different types here ... http://www.philadelphialuthiertools.com/search.php?search_query=studs

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