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buzzing gut string

Discussion in 'Strings [DB]' started by Jeff Saxton, Jun 21, 2019.

  1. Jun 21, 2019 #1
    Jeff Saxton

    Jeff Saxton

    May 30, 2019
    just got back into playing after 25 years not touching it. Bought a new bass and put a Lenzner gut G-string on it, 3 months later and the bass has a buzz when I play on the g string from a-d. put a steel string back on abd the buzz went away.

    anyone have similar experience with gut strings? I ordered a new Lenzner to try just in case I had a bad string but it would be a real bunner if I go through gut strings every 3 months. I admit I play hard, I have been trying to play without an amp whenever possible.
     
  2. Jun 22, 2019 #2
    ctxbass

    ctxbass Supporting Member

    Nov 6, 2003
    Central Texas
    That is not uncommon, although three months is really soon for that to happen. Have you checked for hairs or rough sections on the string? These can be lightly sanded down. You can try reversing the string, cut the knot and put that end in the peg box. Also, consider returning the new Lenzner before you install it, and get a higher quality string. A G string from Gamut or Dlugolecki (my favorite) is well worth the money.
     
  3. Jun 22, 2019 #3
    Jay Corwin

    Jay Corwin Supporting Member

    Jan 29, 2008
    Sanborn, NY
    Not uncommon for plain gut to buzz, especially lower cost strings. I would try sanding it even first, then light oil. give a day then tune up and try it again.

    Also your string height could be a factor.

    And last but not least, season changes will also effect gut.
     
    AGCurry likes this.
  4. Jun 22, 2019 #4
    Jeff Saxton

    Jeff Saxton

    May 30, 2019
    No hairs, well after 3 mos I only got a few and cut/sanded/oiled them so it wasn't hairs buzzing on the fingerboard. Thanks for the tips on other brands to try. I just started playing again after taking about 25 years off and back in the 80's when I was playing I had a completely different concept of what I wanted to sound like. back then it was more eddie gomez rather than paul chambers so this is really my first venture into gut strings but so far I'm loving the sound if I can figure out the rest of it.
     
  5. Jun 23, 2019 #5
    james condino

    james condino Spruce dork Supporting Member Commercial User

    Sep 30, 2007
    asheville, nc
    A gut G string has very different setup requirements than a steel G string.

    Usually the lower diameter steel string with higher tension means that you can have lower string height and less relief with resulting less buzz than the larger diameter lower tension gut string needing higher action and slightly more relief or "scoop"...

    What are the numbers like when you measure the string height from the fingerboard to the bottom of the G string at the end of the fingerboard?
     
    JeffKissell and DoubleMIDI like this.
  6. Jun 23, 2019 #6
    Jeff Saxton

    Jeff Saxton

    May 30, 2019
    5/16" from fingerboard to bottom of string at the end of the fingerboard. the buzz was when I played the g from a-d (no buzz open).
     
  7. Jun 23, 2019 #7
    james condino

    james condino Spruce dork Supporting Member Commercial User

    Sep 30, 2007
    asheville, nc
    5/16" = approx. 7mm- that's pretty low for gut but fine for a steel string G, proven by your results.

    Raise the action a bit or add more relief to that side of the fingerboard and it should solve the problem.
     
    GutJazz likes this.
  8. Jun 23, 2019 #8
    Jeff Saxton

    Jeff Saxton

    May 30, 2019
    Thanks, just as an experiment I put a new lenzner on and it's not buzzing, what do you think the chances are I just blew uyp the string by playing so hard? I was playing no amp with a sextet one night a week for the last 3 mos.
     
  9. Jun 23, 2019 #9
    JeffKissell

    JeffKissell Supporting Member

    Nov 21, 2004
    Soquel, CA
    I think 7mm string height for a plain gut G requires a reasonably well dressed fingerboard. If you've been playing that particular string hard in that spot or it's really dirty, there is a chance that it could be going a little false but most likely the combination of some wear on the string and a slight imperfection in the board is causing the buzz. You could try twisting the knot one full turn in the direction of the twist (tighter) and re-tuning. That should result in a different part of the string touching when you stop those notes.

    Edit: a Lenzner G should last longer than 3 months.
     
    Last edited: Jun 23, 2019
    AGCurry, Sam Dingle and james condino like this.
  10. Jun 23, 2019 #10
    Jeff Saxton

    Jeff Saxton

    May 30, 2019
    thanks. if this one does the same thing I'll go see about getting the fingerboard looked at
     
  11. Jun 24, 2019 #11
    Jeff Saxton

    Jeff Saxton

    May 30, 2019
    also I wsan't very happy with the Lenzner D string (2.8mm) it really reduced the volume of the bass, someone suggested that the tension might be too low for the instrument I have, any suggestions/ideas?
     
  12. Jun 24, 2019 #12
    JeffKissell

    JeffKissell Supporting Member

    Nov 21, 2004
    Soquel, CA
    Gamut Pistoy D. Gamut has a list of tensions for their bass strings. You should be able to compare the various "weights" with regards to tension with what you know works. There are tension charts for almost any string here on Talkbass. Just make sure you are comparing the same string lengths.

    At this point, I don't think Dlugolecki published tensions so you would have to contact Damian directly.

    Pirastro Chorda D, definitely more tension than the Lenzners!!