Changed strings, same gauge, buzzing 9th fret

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    • May 18, 2009 at 2:45 pm
    rgbrock1
    Member

    Hello.

    Last night I changed the strings on my Squier Vintage Modified Strat. I used a different brand but the same gauge (.009-.042) Prior to swapping out the strings I had no fret buzz.
    Now, the 9th fret is dead, but only on the high E string. It buzzes at the 9th on the all the other strings, somewhat, but is completely dead on the high E.
    I paid for a complete setup of this guitar a month or so ago. During the setup the frets
    were dressed, etc.
    Could the problem I’m experiencing be due to shoddy workmanship on the part of the
    “luthier” who set up my guitar is it probably related to something else?
    Thanks much.

    Richard

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
  • Replies
    • May 18, 2009 at 10:14 pm
    Overthinker
    Member

    My first thought is try using the same brand of strings you used before, if that solves the problem then there you have it. Try that first.

    • June 5, 2009 at 9:39 pm
    Kjutte
    Member

    Check the high E’s action compared with the other strings. On strats you have to set each string’s action independently. Action should be approx 3mm from top of fret to string at 24th fret.

    • June 6, 2009 at 6:18 am
    billmeedog
    Member

    @Overthinker 7377 wrote:

    My first thought is try using the same brand of strings you used before, if that solves the problem then there you have it. Try that first.

    I agree! šŸ˜‰ The reason is that even with identical guages (thicknesses) the core material’s relative elasticity/tension can be just different enough so as to alter the overall tension-to-pitch! This might be the equivalent to using the same exact guage, but then setting up your guitar tuned a “quarter-step” flat for example! This could have the effect of pulling the bridge down closer to the body, thus lowering the action and causing that dreaded “fret-buzz.” Arrrgggh!!! šŸ˜”

    BOTTOM LINE: Try the SAME manufacturer/brand AND same guage strings first. Then, check your bridge’s relative proximity to the body (if you can remember or have some close-up pictures from recently!) Then finally, (if that doesn’t solve the issue) do as someone else here had mentioned and check your individual string heights, and perhaps any other pertinent “guitar-setup” parameters/procedures (like truss-rod/neck-relief; (overall) bridge-height adjustment, (individual) string-saddle-height adjustment; etc.) You might want to review the most excellent and comprehensive Guitar Setup Tutorial by Richard Lundmark here at Infinite Guitar! Here’s a link to that great and extremely comprehensive šŸ˜® šŸ˜Ž šŸ˜‰ tutorial:

    https://www.infiniteguitar.com/guitar-lessons.php?lessonid=1186

    Best of luck bro! šŸ˜‰ šŸ˜Ž

    ~Bill Meehan~ šŸ˜€

    • July 1, 2009 at 1:03 pm
    rgbrock1
    Member

    Thanks for all the tips everyone. I solved the issue myself by, as mentioned in previous posts, adjusting
    each individual string’s height and intonation. I still, however, find it a bit odd that changing the brand of strings seems to cause such problems. If the string gauge is the same between brands I don’t really see
    what difference it should have. I mean gauge is gauge, no?

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