Author Topic: String buzzing at the Saddle  (Read 469 times)

mario_farufyno

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String buzzing at the Saddle
« on: September 28, 2018, 06:00:55 AM »
Not exactly a troubleshoot, but like to share how I solved the buzz.

I bought my Rogue second hand and have been using it for more than 10 years now. I also use string action fairly low and neck bow almost straight, so I live normally with light fretting noise. In fact, I use that clicking - almost slapped sound - as a different color for when I hit strings harder. But sometime ago the D started to buzz almost in a fretless like tone.

I tried raise strings height and increase neck bow, but the string should be set really high and this messed with other strings seting. I don't feel confortable playing strings that high, so it was not a proper solution. I've also checked fret levels, but it clearly wasn't the cause, too. Than I realised it was the saddle.

My Rogue's D string didn't sound exactly like a fretless but more like the kind of a sitar do, and the sitar's tone comes from the way its strings ratle over the saddle. Sitar bridges are large and slightly curved in a way the string buzzes when plucked harder and that was the tone I was getting. Don't know when, why or how saddle's groove was deformed (I can bet it was from bending strings at the saddle to improve intonation, but not sure). Anyway, the strings are made of steel while saddles are brass, a softer metal, and I can see how they marked the saddle (you can even see string winding marks transversal to the groove!).

The proper solution would obviously be buying new blank saddle to substitute the old buzzing one but I met a repair guy who melted some soldering wire that filled the string winding mark gaps for free and that was it, problem solved for now. He said the material would partialy fuse to the brass saddle so it will not peel off or something, but I believe they can be pressed and deformed again during the coming years. If so, its not a definitive solution but I can live with that if I have to do it again only in far future.
« Last Edit: September 28, 2018, 06:23:37 AM by mario_farufyno »
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mario_farufyno

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Re: String buzzing at the Saddle
« Reply #1 on: September 28, 2018, 06:18:21 AM »
I was looking for someone who could carve a new replacement saddle in the exact way the old one was to keep the setting I'm used to, when he suggested this "short track". Simply filing the old one would deepen the groove and change string's action slightly. Hope that fix hold itself together for some years...
« Last Edit: September 28, 2018, 07:24:23 AM by mario_farufyno »
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goran

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Re: String buzzing at the Saddle
« Reply #2 on: September 28, 2018, 11:27:55 AM »
Mario thanks for the info.
Do you have pic of your Rouge?

I would like to see it, love that shape.
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Picure

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Re: String buzzing at the Saddle
« Reply #3 on: September 28, 2018, 11:42:25 AM »
I had a similar problem with my Series 1 and my Mosrite. Both had the string on brass saddle rattle. I just put a thin layer of clear tape on the saddle groove and rattle disappeared. This is a good way to fix the problem if you are in a hurry.

edwin

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Re: String buzzing at the Saddle
« Reply #4 on: September 28, 2018, 05:19:58 PM »
My 1983 Modulus with a graphite Alembic style bridge had a similar problem, which manifested in very dead sounding B and E strings. My luthier lightly reshaped the slots so they sloped back toward the tailpiece, making a much more defined witness point and the sustain and note definition increased to the point where it's a lot more playable. Or at least, more worth playing some low notes. Saddle slots are a very important part of the setup.

If you are concerned about the depth of the slot, if you are working on one of them, affecting the relative string height, you can always have all of them brough down a bit to match and then raise the whole bridge.

mario_farufyno

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Re: String buzzing at the Saddle
« Reply #5 on: September 28, 2018, 08:38:06 PM »
Saddle slots are a very important part of the setup.

So true

If you are concerned about the depth of the slot, if you are working on one of them, affecting the relative string height, you can always have all of them brough down a bit to match and then raise the whole bridge.

Indeed
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mario_farufyno

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Re: String buzzing at the Saddle
« Reply #6 on: September 28, 2018, 08:48:32 PM »
Mario thanks for the info.
Do you have pic of your Rouge?
I would like to see it, love that shape.

http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=5826

Love Rogue's shape too, it balances very well seated or standing up.
Not just a bass, this is an Alembic!