Stock strings to medium gauge DR lowriders = nut buzz?

Kusabi · #1 12-27-2009, 04:58 PM

I recently bought a squier classic vibe jazz and after getting it home and playing it a bit with the stock strings on, I decided to replace them with some DR's I had laying around. While tuning and after tuning there was buzz from the nut when playing open and when fretting notes. Open and with any note fretted the strings have plenty of clearance on all the frets but the nut continues to produce buzz. Is this a case of the nut slots being too tight for the higher gauge strings or something else? Thanks in advance.

Edit: After putting on a medium light gauge (.40-.100) set of chromes the buzz is still there...could it be that the nut slots are too wide? Although I don't see how that could be as the stock strings were also .40-.100 gauge strings.

Benjamin Strange · #2 12-27-2009, 06:12 PM

It could be that the slots are too wide, or the strings are small enough so that they sit low in the slot. To check this, fret the string at the third and check clearance at the first fret. If you have no clearance, it's too low.

Kusabi · #3 12-27-2009, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benjamin Strange

It could be that the slots are too wide, or the strings are small enough so that they sit low in the slot. To check this, fret the string at the third and check clearance at the first fret. If you have no clearance, it's too low.

After checking, this was indeed the case. What can be done, other than replacing the nut, to remedy this? I tried raising the action but even with the saddles at their highest the buzz still persists.

Benjamin Strange · #4 12-27-2009, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kusabi

After checking, this was indeed the case. What can be done, other than replacing the nut, to remedy this? I tried raising the action but even with the saddles at their highest the buzz still persists.

Well, the right way to do it is to make a new nut. The quick and dirty way is to fill the slot: drill a tiny hole in the bottom of the nut (or score it with a knife), which will help stabilize the patch. Then put a bit of baking soda in the slot, then put a drop of super glue on it, let it cure, then file it down to the proper depth. This isn't a pro way of doing it, but it can get you by in a pinch.

Kusabi · #5 12-27-2009, 06:32 PM

Looks like I'm in for a visit to my tech tomorrow...thanks for the help