Members eichaan Posted May 31, 2006 Members Share Posted May 31, 2006 My AL-3000 guitar is one of my favorites. It is not too heavy, sounds great, and is very comfortable to play. I have played it about 2 hours per week since I got it last August. About three weeks ago, the low E string began buzzing terribly when played open. The buzzing disappears when the string is fretted at the first fret or higher, which makes me think the problem is with the fret itself. I've changed strings, and tried raising the bridge, to no avail. The neck seems straight... Before I take the guitar to a repair shop, does anyone else have any ideas of what I could try to do? Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members spadoctor Posted May 31, 2006 Members Share Posted May 31, 2006 First get a good metal straight edge....like a carpenters square...place it on top of the frets near th low "E" starting with the second fret and slide it towards the first fret and see if it hits the first. If it does the fret may be a little loose and popped up slightly. If it has....you can work some carprnters glue in next to the fret and LIGHTLY tap the fret back down then wipe the excess glue off with a slightly damp sponge. It doesn't happen often but it does happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jec Posted May 31, 2006 Members Share Posted May 31, 2006 It may also be because the weather has gotten warmer. May need a truss-rod tweek. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members machine gunner Posted May 31, 2006 Members Share Posted May 31, 2006 Originally posted by jec It may also be because the weather has gotten warmer. May need a truss-rod tweek. Yep- nice guitar... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jjpistols Posted May 31, 2006 Members Share Posted May 31, 2006 Originally posted by jec It may also be because the weather has gotten warmer. May need a truss-rod tweek. remember that time with Jon Mayer, the plastic explosive and the Harlem Globetrotters? not all the Harlem Globetrotters, but 3 of them, including a starterremember?that was awesome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members LAracer Posted May 31, 2006 Members Share Posted May 31, 2006 If its buzzing only on the open string and not the 1st fret then it may be that the nut is cut too deep. I'd guess that this is much more likely than an uneven fret. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members angus_old Posted May 31, 2006 Members Share Posted May 31, 2006 all mine are going crazy with this weather Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Riggins Posted June 1, 2006 Members Share Posted June 1, 2006 Originally posted by LAracer If its buzzing only on the open string and not the 1st fret then it may be that the nut is cut too deep. I'd guess that this is much more likely than an uneven fret. bahh!! beat me to it.First place I'd check before frets.Drop a little piece of paper in the slot and shim it up. Probably play just fine.*edit* nice lookin axe too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members eichaan Posted June 1, 2006 Author Members Share Posted June 1, 2006 Ok. After trying the straight edge trick, it seems like the 1st fret IS a little high, on the bass side. I am wiling to tap the fret into place, but what kind of hammer should I use? Or should I place something on the fret, and hammer that? Thanks for the help, and thanks in advance for more!Also, the little piece of paper trick works too. Should I just stick with that?Originally posted by spadoctor First get a good metal straight edge....like a carpenters square...place it on top of the frets near th low "E" starting with the second fret and slide it towards the first fret and see if it hits the first. If it does the fret may be a little loose and popped up slightly. If it has....you can work some carprnters glue in next to the fret and LIGHTLY tap the fret back down then wipe the excess glue off with a slightly damp sponge. It doesn't happen often but it does happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members LeftyTom Posted June 1, 2006 Members Share Posted June 1, 2006 Use a small hammer, like one you drive a short, small nail with. Do NOT use a carpenter's framing hammer (the general purpose hammer, 16oz or heavier). Put your index finger next to the fret you are going to tap. Remember, if you miss the fret, you want to hit your finger. This should help you select a hammer small enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members LAracer Posted June 1, 2006 Members Share Posted June 1, 2006 Originally posted by eichaan Ok. After trying the straight edge trick, it seems like the 1st fret IS a little high, on the bass side. I am wiling to tap the fret into place, but what kind of hammer should I use? Or should I place something on the fret, and hammer that? Thanks for the help, and thanks in advance for more!Also, the little piece of paper trick works too. Should I just stick with that? Be absolutely sure that the first fret is high before messing with it. I fudged a neck up pretty bad doing similar things when a simple nut adjustment would have sufficed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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