Author Topic: Strange string buzz (Read 266 times)

jure_the_second · « **on:** November 27, 2003, 07:52:04 AM »

Yesterday I boiled the strings and polished the neck on my Orion 5. As I got the strings back on, the A string got an unnatural sustain, resonanting strongly and giving it sound like fretless mwah. I have a feeling that there might be something loose in the bridge, but I'm not certain. It's only A string and through the whle neck.

Any idea what could be causing this? It's funny, but it steps out and might get annoying in a while.

Thanks.

Jure

adriaan · « **Reply #1 on:** November 27, 2003, 08:03:42 AM »

Hey Jure,

You BOIL the STRINGS, put them back on the bass, the thing starts to buzz and you question the BASS? I'd look at the A string, it's not unlikely that the boiling has made a winding come loose or something.

Also check the contact points at the bridge, nut and tuner: look at the contact marks on the string, and make sure that the same spots make contact with the hardware. And the string could be twisted, rather than straight.

Try putting the string on another bass, or a new string on the Orion ;-(

Take care!
Adriaan

bigredbass · « **Reply #2 on:** November 30, 2003, 04:44:52 PM »

jure2nd:

If you did NO nut adjustments (specifically the tightening screw in the A-string slot) or moved the bridge . . .

B u y n e w s t r i n g s !

I've boiled them, soaked them in gasoline, mineral spirits, baked them, even took them to a garage and scrubbed them in a SafetyKleen sink. I proved the old maxim, Take good care of your strings . . . and they'll die anyway. I was going to take them to a Haitian Voodoo Priestess . . . then I caught some Rotos on sale and shelved that little trip.

J o e y

David Houck · « **Reply #3 on:** December 04, 2003, 05:56:41 AM »

Soaked them in gasoline?!
I'm wondering how long it took for the smell to go away .

811952 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 04, 2003, 06:17:16 AM »

If you simply wipe them down after you play they'll last a lot longer, especially if you sweat very much. Boiling is a waste of time. Also, most music stores in my area have something approaching a 2-for-1 deal on strings if you ask. Anybody have any string cleaners they'd recommend?
John

dean_m · « **Reply #5 on:** December 04, 2003, 07:25:12 AM »

You know the little handy-wipes that you get at restaurants like KFC etc?

Those things work real well. They won't restore your strings to new but they do a great job of cleaning them. And they're cheap too. You can get them in bulk at any Sam's Club or Costco.

bracheen · « **Reply #6 on:** December 04, 2003, 07:34:54 AM »

This is probably a dumb question so forgive me but are things like strings, cords, etc. tax deductions for a professional musician? I can imagine that you guys who play a lot under lights and in smoky rooms go through strings pretty quickly due to wear or breaking.

Sam

David Houck · « **Reply #7 on:** December 04, 2003, 07:50:52 AM »

The short answer. If you get paid for playing you are supposed to report your income on your tax return. You can then deduct the cost of supplies such as strings, batteries, etc., mileage to and from the gig, and depreciation on your equipment. If your costs are always greater than your income, as it generally is for most part time players, then your playing is considered a hobby and you do not report the net loss.

bigredbass · « **Reply #8 on:** December 04, 2003, 08:05:20 AM »

bracheen:

SAVE ALL OF YOUR RECIEPTS FOR EVERYTHING !

Get yourself a good tax guy (preferably one who has worked for other musicians and will get you solid deductions, and not tempt the IRS with really questionable, iffy claims), and do what he says. This is usually NOT going to be the guy at H+R Block who knocks it out in 10 minutes. You're gonna file the long form, etc. A lot of it will revolve around whether you are self-employed as a full-time musician only, or do you have a day career and play at night as a second job, does your wife work, and on and on.

You'll pay to have this service, but it's WELL worth it. A lot of times, a good CPA, well-known to the local IRS guys, is never questioned by them as they all know the reputation of the guy.

Also, it's been my experience that most musicians can give you REALLY BAD tax advice, so be very careful about that. I'm sure lots of us in the Club can trot out tons of tax horror stories.

Cowboy up, and pay for a good CPA, and you won't be the next one !

J o e y

dean_m · « **Reply #9 on:** December 04, 2003, 08:19:52 AM »

Very well said Joey!!!
Sam, take that advise!!! Even if you play part time, you still may be entitled to the deductions. Like Joey said, save all of your receipts. Just remember, you do have to show income before you can take deductions (if you know what I mean, hint, hint)
Again, like Joey said, a good tax person will cost you but it is well worth it, especially if you do get audited. A fellow musician of mine that goes to the same lady as I do got audited a couple of years ago. He came out of the audit with the IRS owing HIM more money. HA!!!!

Dino(bptfo)