Buzz on open A

[naquadaX]

Hi all,

I've got fret buzz only on the open A string.

I've raised the A bridge saddle but it didn't really resolve the problem.
I don't want to raise the saddle again because the action on A string would be much higher than other strings.

So, what can I do ?

[pkr2]

Originally Posted by naquadaX

Hi all,

I've got fret buzz only on the open A string.

I've raised the A bridge saddle but it didn't really resolve the problem.
I don't want to raise the saddle again because the action on A string would be much higher than other strings.

So, what can I do ?

Loosen the A string and temporarily put a little tab of thick paper like a matchbook cover or business card in the A string nut notch to shim the string up a bit higher above the fingerboard.. If the prob improves with the paper in place, you've found the prob. Either leave the paper in or fill the notch with a mixture of super glue and baking soda and recut the notch so the string sits a bit higher in the notch.

Of course a new nut is the ideal way to fix it but filling the notch a bit will usually last a good long while.

Good luck.

[Philbiker]

Try muting the A string above the nut. I've had basses where the open "A" rattled unless I wound a lot of string around the tuner to induce a big break angle across the nut.

[naquadaX]

I put thick paper in the nut but the buzz didn't disappear.
It seems that the buzz comes from the bridge saddle.

The saddle wasn't correctly aligned with the string to form a straight line.
I moved the saddle a little bit and apparently it resolved the problem. I gonna make more tests to confirm it.