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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on May 7, 2015 at 2:58am

Jim,

You're getting string rattle, not fret buzz, correct? Your bridges are set too low, possibly. Or your tuning is too low. What are you tuned to?

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Permalink Reply by Scott aka Farmer Ted on May 7, 2015 at 3:49am

Ron's right. If there is not enough break angle at the bridge, there isn't enough downward pressure on the saddles, thus creating the rattle. More common with bridges where the strings run through the tail end and when the neck has no back angle. Less common and unlikely when the bridge/strings are through the body...plenty of break angle there.

For strings, if you're using a magnetic pickup, electric strings are best. Acoustic strings are often phosphor bronze, which will work but will have less effect and/or reaction with the mag pickup, resulting in lower output/volume.

If you are using piezo pickups, anything that vibrates will work.

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Permalink Reply by JIm Trussler on May 7, 2015 at 10:57am

Thanks Ron and Scott for the replies. this is the first time I have used a proper bridge as aia usually use a brass bar with notches in it.with the strings gointing through the body. This is definitely not fret buzz.

I am tuned to open G.

I guess my solution for the downward pressure is to route the strings through the body, through the back end of the bridge and over the saddles. The current angle of the strings over the saddles to the back of the bridge is about 15 degrees. I cant adjust the saddles any higher without turning both of the CBg's into strictly slide guitars with high action.....
I ususally run electric strings but tried the accoustics. both are sonically low ( unplugged)on these 2 builds unlike my previous ones which are quite loud unplugged. Trying to figure nout why???

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