Strat Setup Problems

[big_teee]

I have a left hand SX Strat Clone that Has a buzzing Big E string.
I have Shimmed the guitar, I ended up taking most of the shimming out.
I have checked for High frets. I have to raise the bridge saddle all the way up on the big E string.
I have tried changing the truss rod relief, It still buzzes as you go up the scale on the E string.
I would like to have the fret board curve on the string saddles.
Any suggestions?
B_T

[Jag]

What about the nut? Does it buzz only on the open E?

[David Schwab]

Check the bridge saddle. I had a Tele here that the owner changed the saddles to string savers, and then every note on the neck buzzed. After doing al the usual setup tricks, I realized it was buzzing from the saddle.

I replace them with standard saddles and the buzz went away. It was something about the way the top of the saddle was shaped.

Also, have you changed the strings? Could be a bad string.

[big_teee]

Thanks for the ideas.
It has the original saddles with the 2 small set screws, and the strings are a few months old.
I don't change them as often now, I'm retired.
Terry

[big_teee]

What about the nut? Does it buzz only on the open E?

If I set the bridge saddle high enough it doesn't buzz open.
It's when you go up the scale it buzzes.
T

[Jag]

Probably not the nut then. I agree with Dave, take a close look at the saddles. I often have that issue if one of the set screws is loose.

[big_teee]

If I play the E string with it unPlugged and put my finger on fret 1, ear near the neck, I can hear it buzzing.
As I slide my Finger up the neck it just buzzes in a different place.
I can put my ear near the saddle no buzz in that area.
I have the saddle adjusted all the way up!
What am I doing wrong?
This thing was cheap, I guess you get what you Pay for!
B_T

[David Schwab]

Probably not the nut then. I agree with Dave, take a close look at the saddles. I often have that issue if one of the set screws is loose.

The buzz I was getting was actually from the string on the saddle, and not a set screw. It must have had something to do with the shape of the top of the saddle, so the string didn't sit flat on it. So it buzzed like a Coral sitar.

Because it's just one string buzzing, and it buzzes except when the saddle is all the way up, I think it's the saddle. When the saddle is all the way up, the string is breaking at a different angle across the top.

As an experiment, swap the E and A saddles and see what happens.

[big_teee]

The buzz I was getting was actually from the string on the saddle, and not a set screw. It must have had something to do with the shape of the top of the saddle, so the string didn't sit flat on it. So it buzzed like a Coral sitar.

Because it's just one string buzzing, and it buzzes except when the saddle is all the way up, I think it's the saddle. When the saddle is all the way up, the string is breaking at a different angle across the top.

As an experiment, swap the E and A saddles and see what happens.

Then wouldn't I hear it buzz unplugged at the saddle.
I hear it buzzing at the neck unplugged.
Another question.
If everything is working properly, on the E.
What should the gap measure in thousandths, from the bottom of the string to the fret, at fret 1, and fret 21?
Is there a ballpark what it should be?
Thanks,
Terry

[Jag]

There's no hard and fast rule unless you're setting the action too low and I don't think you are. But since you ask, what is the distance between the open E and the top of the first fret? What is the distance between the string and the top of the 12th fret?

[Jag]

Ballpark would be .012-.020 for the low E at the first fret and about 1/16" at the 12th fret (I usually set the 12th with the string fretted at the first fret using a capo to eliminate a high/low nut scenario).

This is ballpark only!

[big_teee]

Ballpark would be .012-.020 for the low E at the first fret and about 1/16" at the 12th fret (I usually set the 12th with the string fretted at the first fret using a capo to eliminate a high/low nut scenario).

This is ballpark only!

I'm around .012-.015 at fret 1 and about .090 at 12 and bigger at 21.
I clearly have something going on.
I will beat on it some more this eve.
Thanks,
Terry

[Ronsonic]

Are the pickups too close to the string?

Hey, it's a strat, I gotta ask.

[big_teee]

Are the pickups too close to the string?

Hey, it's a strat, I gotta ask.

I don't think so, but what is too close?
The middle pickup is RWRP.
I've got it a little better.
I'll mess with it some more tomorrow.
Terry

[David Schwab]

Then wouldn't I hear it buzz unplugged at the saddle.
I hear it buzzing at the neck unplugged.

To me it sounded like fret buzz. Regardless to if the frets are buzzing or not, you hear the sound from the body of the guitar more then the neck. The neck just makes clicking noises.

So the sound was coming fro the usual place unplugged, but it was buzzing on every note on every string.

Those SX guitars aren't made too bad, but often the pickups and hardware are cheesy. Rondo music was not too far from where I live. I used to go there all the time, and still have a Rondo strap on my bass. It's funny to see them seeing stuff online now and everyone knows who they are.