GUITAR GEEKS: Question about "string buzz"

[PVnRT]

I recently got an Epiphone Les Paul Standard to replace my 13-year-old Epiphone Strat Copy (no, really, it was) and am overall very pleased with it - stays in tune, love the sound, etc.

The problem I get is "string buzz," i.e., when I play some notes on the low E string, the other open strings start ringing quietly in the background. It's not poor left hand technique, I've tried adjusting the bridge, and that's about as brave as I'm getting right now with my new $450 toy.

Everything on it is from the factory, and I just play it through a small Crate practice amp, no pedals, etc.

[freethought]

1. When some players talk about "buzzing" or "string buzz"

as you call it, the reason for the buzzing has to do with a vibrating string hitting a fret, or frets, further down the fretboard. This is usually solved with neck and/or bridge adjustments.

Some details were left out. You said when you play 'some' notes on the low E string, are these on the lower end or higher end of the fretboard, or are they just at random? Do you notice any patterns when this happens? Could they be happening when doing some string bending? What gauge strings are on the instrument?

Just very recently I traded a near-mint Epiphone Les Paul for another instrument and some unfinished wood guitar bodies. My issue with the guitar was never, ever the sound/tone of the instrument or how it felt playing it. It sounded great and played very well. A few tweaks and I had quite the respectable instrument. The balance and bulk of Les Paul were a problem. I found it somewhat uncomfortable to play. Thus, my preference for Strats and Teles.

I did do one thing that I though went a huge distance in improving the instrument. I don't know how what kind of quality control Epiphone uses when making its pickups but I am willing to bet they are not on par with real American made Gibson Les Pauls. After all, Epiphone's purpose is to be the lower cost alternative to Gibson. I did change out the stock humbuckers with a set of aftermarket humbuckers. Specifically, the stock Epiphone pickups were switched with a set of Rio Grande humbuckers. The Rio Grandes are faithful remakes of old Gibson PAFs. Not only that I was able to have installed a coil tap that allowed me to split the bridge pickup into a single coil mode. Supposedly, this was the way Jimmy Page had his Les Pauls wired up.

Anyway, I found the difference to be stunning. Maybe that's it, it could have something to do with the magnets in the pickups. Give that some consideration, investing in a quality set of pickups and a wiring kit, and take it to a good guitar tech. Dimarzio, Seymour Duncan, Rio Grande, Gibson, Lindy Fralin, they all make good stuff. It may cost you some but you may find it well worth it and it may help your string buzz problem.

My two cents, anyway.

[PVnRT]

2. Just random notes on the low E

or any string, really. No bending involved - I tested it out by positioning my hand so that only one fingertip was anywhere near the strings and plucked some notes here and there. I will check on it again tonight.

I figured the pickups were of lower quality, but I figured that going in. If I had money to buy a real Les Paul, well...yeah. For now, it's such an improvement over my little beginner guitar that I've never been able to replace, I'm happy with the sound; for me, I rather like the physical feel of the guitar, and having larger hands helps on that neck. Electronics work will be the next project. I'm tempted to try turning my old Strat copy into a Frankenguitar for the hell of it before then.

Any suggestions about where to sit the bridge, since you've had the same guitar? I know a lot of it is a matter of taste, but any suggestions are welcome.

[freethought]

3. True, it is a matter of taste

When I was able to really play my Epiphone, I was then able to focus on what I would change on it. I was OK with where the bridge was with the manufacturers adjustments but felt it could be improved upon. So I lowered the bridge by a quarter-turn on both sides and repeated this process two more times. Then I played each note on each string looking for fret buzz. There was a little bit more that I was able to tolerate, so I raised the bridge about 1/8 of a turn on each side. I repeated this process 3 times. I had the action lowered just slightly from the manufacturer's after all was said and done. There was a tiny bit of buzzing, but I was willing to tolerate that and it didn't come through to my amps. I didn't touch the positioning of any of the saddles.

That little 'tweak' plus the aftermarket pickups made a great difference. It turned decent guitar into a great instrument. Had it not been for the uncomfort of it I would likely still have it.

I bring up the pickups issue because some time ago I owned a Carvin that had a set of these incredibly hot humbuckers. The guitar played wonderful but the pickups were so hot-rodded that even if you waved your hand above the strings and forced air to move over the strings, it would cause sound to be generated through to the amplifier. I just wouldn't describe it as a 'buzz'. All instruments I have now are equipped with pickups with a mellower, more vintage kind of vibe. The Rio Grandes I put on the Epiphone had enough of crunch should I want to seriously crank the distortion up.
These days I mainly use a slightly heavy overdrive.

I also bring up the strings that may be on the guitar. Back in the eighties I used really lite
strings. Such was the practice those days with hair metal and EVH's tapping techniques. These days I am using a heavier .011 gauge strings. They keep the callous on my fingertips in shape and I believe they have better tone.

If you're going to put a new set of pickups on that Epiphone, make it a quality set. Avoid cheap clones. It may be more expensive but you'll be happier and the guitar will sound better, both good points for the longer run. Oh, and there's nothing wrong with perusing Ebay for a bargain!

[PVnRT]

4. ...and back

OK, it's not so much of a "buzz," although I did manage to eliminate some nagging fret buzz. It's more of slight ringing of (primarily) the G and B strings - kind of like if you push on them lightly and release, but I've verified that's not what I'm doing. This happens regardless of which string I'm playing notes (except the high E string).

The note about pickups is duly noted. :) That will be the next splurge, maybe with those rebate checks that are supposed to make the economy fresh 'n' fruity come May.

[MilesColtrane]

5. Open strings will ring depending on the what other notes are being played...

...unless you dampen them with one of your hands.

A relatively low note generates harmonics that can set higher strings in motion.

[paparush]

6. Maybe something loose inside the guitar?