String Buzzz frettless cbg

Posted by RIch Seevers on March 15, 2017 at 11:35pm

One of my first builds was a frettless 3 String CBG. I really liek it and it has a really nice tone to it but i get terrible string buzz. I'm guessing that either my string height is too low or I am not using my slide correctly. Thoughts?

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  • Ron "Oily" Sprague March 17, 2017 at 12:41pm
    Those look like regular plastic bridge and nut. First thing I see is none of your strings are riding in bridge slots, while the pic at the nut appears to show additional slots cut? Pluck each string individually, and listen at both the nut and the bridge. My bet is nut slots cot too deep, and / or V grooved. You want U shaped slots that are as deep as only half the diameter as the individual string in that slot. You can use old guitar strings of the same gauge and some elbow grease to cut them in. You can also use welding tip gauges as files to do the same thing. There are also relatively expensive rat tail files designed for the purpose available from Stew Mac.
  • Gus K March 16, 2017 at 9:05am

    Maybe some help here. 

  • MadGomer March 16, 2017 at 6:53am
    Just start with the process of elimination, play each string individually, using the slide, pluck on both the nut and bridge side of the slide to see if you can isolate a string. Your string slots in nut or bridge may be the issue. Are your strings level with each other so the slide contacts them evenly?
    • Mark K > MadGomer March 16, 2017 at 7:26pm

      I'm with @MadGomer.  I had a similar problem on my fretless build and it was the slots in the nut - I had to shape them better to ensure the string was held nicely in the slot but not touching too much.  I notice in the close up your nut has had a few attempts on it - perhaps cutting a little deeper and making sure that it drops away sharply on the body side will help.

      BTW - looks really good!

    • RIch Seevers > Mark K March 16, 2017 at 10:43pm

      The nut right now is just a plastic one as is the one on the bridge. I have been experimenting. Once I get it figured out I will make new ones out of bone.

  • George Jones March 16, 2017 at 2:04am

    Just built my first fretless CBG a few days ago (an Uncle Crow inspired build) . . . Had an issue with the strings buzzing and finally traced it down to the cigar box lid wasn't secure on each end (I secured it in the middle, but not on each side).  I found the source by squeezing parts of the cigar box while it was buzzing . . . My string height is 4 mm as measured from the 24th fret position (see attached photos).   

    20170313_112618.jpg

    20170313_112359.jpg

  • Thomas "Duck" Petry March 16, 2017 at 12:19am

    Looks good, I'd say you need to put a little more pressure on the slide, but I don't really know a lot. You're sure to get lots of suggestions on possible fixes.

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