Building two Identical 3-string CBGs at once...... Both have the same buzzing problem....... ARGGGGGGGGGG!

[molinee]

I am in the process of building two identical guitars at the same time (3-stringers and FRETLESS).  I figured at least one would turn out for me.  Actually both of them being identical look decent and the process went pretty good.  I am now at the stage of stringing and tuning them.  They both have the same problem and that is that they both strum nice and clean at the open chord but when I fret anywhere on the fretboard they buzz horribly (a twangy buzz not a rattle).  NOT A LITTLE... A LOT.   I do play the guitar so I know a little about where to look for buzzes.  This buzz is huge.  The three tuners are new and tight. None of the strings are anywhere close to the fretboard anywhere.  I can raise the nut and the saddle so high that I can't play it and it still buzzes when I fret.  My novice thinking is that the buzzing must have to do with the box itself.  I purchased both boxes from a hobby store and they feel really solid but have the usually two clasps and two hinges on the opposite side.  On each corner of the box is an ornamental piece of thin metal that is tacked down.  I originally thought that they might be rattling but when I lacquered the final finish I pretty much cemented them down so they aren't moving.. I don't think.  The other area that I thought might be making the buzzing is that I glued a 1/4" strip of red cedar (fretboard) onto the neck which is 1" x 2" red cedar and that all seems fine but I cut the 1/4" fretboard right at the junction of the body and the neck.  In other words, the fretboard does not overlap onto the body.  I don't know if this gap area could cause buzzing..... So a long story short.... Does extreme buzzing at every fret sound like a common mistake in building a CBG that a beginner like myself would make?  Bad boxes?  Maybe fretless CBGs buzz all the time?? Tried tons of strings of all different sizes and gauges.  Tried all different nut and saddle heights.  It plays fantastic at open chord.... just don't fret it or it buzzes.... It's a twangy buzz, if that means anything

Any common mistakes that new builders run into when they build their first one (or two) that usually creates lots of buzzing?  Any thoughts good or bad appreciate.  Looks like I might some good firewood for this upcoming winter

[Mungo Park]

My thoughts go with Kevin:

Buzzing is a common problem. It is possible that the nut or the bridge saddle are not cut correctly to fit the string. What are you using to cut those? I continually had problems like that until I spent the money on a set of good files made just for that detail. Most often, the string appears to fit well, however, if you were to magnify it, you might see that the string is actually sitting in a "V" groove instead of a "U" groove. That will definately make it buzz. I just finished 2 CBG's made at the same time myself, there are pictures of them on my page, check 'em out. Good luck, hope you work it out.

Kevin

 

I have had problems with the cut in the nut to hold the strings and it causes a buzz depending on how the string is plucked, I would pull the string/strings out of the nut grove and try it that way and see if it stops the buzz.

 Yes it will make you mental for sure.           Cheers Ron

[Slowpaw Steve T]

Those strings look rather heavy to me, have you tried using thinner gauge strings?  the wrong strings could be over tensioned on GDg.

[colin mcgrath]

I can totally back this up, I have had some builds were this was the cause, and those bushings that fit on the top really help when installed right.

wes carl said:

do your tuners have set screws in the handle? if so make sure they are tight  just built one with this problem  took me a few day to track it down  good luck

[colin mcgrath]

also, along with mungo (although if you have tried different nuts this may be mute) but I have tried sticking paper towel pieces under the string in the slot on the nut. I have over-sized the slot several times.

[molinee]

[molinee]

OK.. I uploaded some addtional pics of my problem.  I took the lid off from the box to be able to eliminate possible problems.  So now I just have the top, a bolt nut, and a huge bolt bridge so as to give lots of height for the strings... still buzzing.  I am beginning to think that my problem is where the neck/fretboard meet the body.  I am thinking that the fretboard is sitting way too high and creating some kind of sound wave vibration at this point... Just guessing about this, as I don't know if that is even possible.  These new pics show the difference in height comparing the top of the box to the top of the fretboard.  Is this a strong possibility or not?  Some previous suggestions had me look at any adjusting screws in the tuners rattling... I don't have any of those screws but appreciate the suggestion.  Both the nut bolt and the bridge bolt are way high.  I did this just for testing... still buzzes over the complete fretboard.  I think I have moved from the rational thinking mode of investigation to the veins-popping out of my neck demolition mode...LOL

I certainly appreciate all you guys/gals playing detective on this case but I am tempted to move on and start a new CGB.  Is there any advantage to having the fretboard overlap on the body of the guitar?  Might be easier to make.

-Thanks again to all, and you can call off the dogs if you so desire.

[Bad Finger (Eric)]

molinee,  I have a sure-fire way to fix it.  Soak it in gas and light a match.  Move onto another build.  :)  Just kidding, but seriously, putting it down and starting something new may be the best bet.  Winnie the Pooh said the best way to find something is to stop looking for it.  Seems wise enough to me.  Don't get discouraged.

[Hellhound Custom Built Guitars]

have to agree with Ed on that one . Putting it down for a bit start a new build. I had a few that really got my goat so I let them gather a little dust and reworked them later on. To be honest with you they came out to be some of my best sounding builds.

[Bluesheart]

Hard to tell by photos but those look like huge strings. Are they bass strings or weed wacker line? I think it is just the strings hitting the fingerboard when you "fret". Big strings make big vibrations/waves.

[Outhouse Instruments]

Just for laughs ... try different size strings. It could be whats known as ghost notes ..... odd frequency harmonics caused by strings being too tight ( not often) or too loose ( usual cause).

The problem would be wrong guage of strings for the combination of scale length and tuning.

 

Or you could just tune up an octave and see if it goes away.

 

AFKAM

[molinee]

haha.... I like your style and agree with you totally.  I think I may be beating a dead horse here... but it is indeed a mystery and that peaks my interest.  I am picking up some cigar boxes later today.  As a novice builder I am coming to the conclusion that just because it looks like a CBG doesn't mean it is one.

 

 

E D said:

molinee,  I have a sure-fire way to fix it.  Soak it in gas and light a match.  Move onto another build.  :)  Just kidding, but seriously, putting it down and starting something new may be the best bet.  Winnie the Pooh said the best way to find something is to stop looking for it.  Seems wise enough to me.  Don't get discouraged.

[molinee]

Thanks for the suggestion.  However I have used everything from ultra lights, lights, silks, mediums and each and every string on both gits buzz at just about every fret.... which makes me think it is either the box or the junction of the neck and box.   I think the strings you saw were wound lights.  And wouldn't you think that messing around with 6 total strings that I would get one that wouldn't buzz... Got to be fretboard or body.

Bluesheart said:

Hard to tell by photos but those look like huge strings. Are they bass strings or weed wacker line? I think it is just the strings hitting the fingerboard when you "fret". Big strings make big vibrations/waves.