Buzzing Guts

blown240 · #1 08-23-2006, 10:15 AM

Heres a little Background:

I have been playing upright for about 2 years. I have been playing on nylon strings until just a few days ago. I got a set of plain Gut strings for a very good price.

The problem I have is that there is a buzz on the E string at the first posisition. Second posisition is fine, the buzz is from about posisition 1 1/2 and lower.

I tried sanding the string a bit and it seemed to help some, but I dont want to sand too much.

Does anyone have any advice to get rid of this buzz?

Momamony · #2 08-23-2006, 07:34 PM

Big fat gut strings need to be higher up relative to the fingerboard compared to thinner "modern" strings. When I converted, I had to raise the nut and get a taller bridge (adjustable bridge ran out of travel for the height I wanted.) A luthier can either install a shim to raise the existing nut or cut you a new one....if you do need a new bridge too it'll cost some bucks but then you can truly enjoy your wonderful, long-lasting gut strings.

Mom

blown240 · #3 08-23-2006, 09:01 PM

The E string I took off was a 170, the new one is a 190. do you think it would make that much difference?

jonly · #4 08-23-2006, 09:07 PM

I got mine from the same place and had the same problem. I oiled and sanded them some more and today when I tuned up and played the buzz was gone. They have been on the bass for three days now and appeared to have stretched as they were flat by a whole step.

-jimbobntnr

blown240 · #5 08-23-2006, 10:35 PM

Ok cool. I may just need to sand them more. Thanks!

JimmyM · #6 08-24-2006, 12:35 AM

I think before I'd do any more sanding, I'd just let them stretch for a few more days. Guts require a good couple weeks and a fair amount of playing to stretch.

blown240 · #7 08-24-2006, 09:04 AM

ok, thanks

glivanos · #8 08-24-2006, 10:30 AM

I had the same problem and ended up getting my fingerboard replaned to add some scoop when I switched to guts on my old German hybrid.

ZuluFunk · #9 09-03-2006, 02:02 PM

Those unfinished guts going around are pretty rough. You really have to let them stretch and sane them very well.

Give them a few weeks of playing...put up with the buzzing for now. Re-sand them and oil them again.

You may eventually have to have your nut raised or even more scoop to your board I think...but just raise your bridge and try to make the best of your set up for now before you go through that expense. You may figure you really don't appreciate or need guts.