Sitar like string buzz

[Mad Dog Madda]

On a couple of my CBGs, I have a sitar like string buzz that I can't seem to get rid of. Is this a problem at the nut? I do zero fret fingerboards and am thinking that the "guide" after the zero fret may be the problem. Any insight is appreciated.

[Fergus Morris]

Wide bridge or nut slots can cause this I think, but I am no expert.

[Tim]

try a small piece of masking tape betwen the nut and strings.

[Mark Werner]

Likely the slots for the strings at the bridge are cut too wide, and at too shallow an angle. A good reason to use an appropriate tool like the "torch tip tool" discussed on one of the other threads.

There should be sufficient angle at the bridge for the string to "break" with enough tension to keep it from vibrating across the bridge.

[Tim]

well he is using a zero fret so the nut isnt really used except as a guide to keep the string spacing. so break angle over the nut shouldnt be a problem.

[Bluesheart]

My latest had this same. On mine it was due to bridge slots too wide and not enough break angle over the bridge/not enough tension on the strings. New bridge and proper tuning "fixed" it. But now I made the original slots even wider, and swap out the bridge/detune slightly to get the awesome sitar tones!! I split a wine cork lengthwise and slide it under the strings to take pressure off of bridge, swap to the "sitar" bridge and reach CBsitar nirvana!!! Light the insense and turn on the blacklight!!

[Tim]

i had the same problem on mine. i ended up swaping out the all all thread bridge for a dowel rod bridge it really thickened up the tone so i did the same with the nut. to be honest i wasnt happy with my first build i was about to give it to my friends kid to play with but now i love it. nice thick tone.