Bend buzzing in E treble string 12th fret

[Javier Roldan]

Hi everyone,

As a explained in a previuos post I have just bought a new PSR SE Custom 24 and I have starting to enjoy it.

However I have found a problem that is driving me a bit crazy. When i make bends all around the fretboard seems to work fine with the exception of the 12th fret in treble E string.

I tends to sound dirty and last less than in other frets. It also happen in 11th and maybe 10th frets (treble E also) but it is much less noticeable. However after 12th fret and before 10th fret bends sounds perfect.

I have tried to raise the action from 1.5 mm to 2 mm but it doesn't solve the problem. The relief of the truss rod is also fine (it came perfectly adjusted from the factory/store).The bridge is maybe a bit high (in fact I cannot lower the E treble string under 1.5 mm) but I think it is not the problem.

So I don't know what to do or even if it is normal (altough I have seen a lot of setup videos in youtube I'm a newbie guitar player).

You can hear what I mean in the following audio file:

https://soundcloud.com/javier-roldan-101553897/bend-buzzing-in-e-string-12th-fret

Thank you very much in advance .Regards

 

[Alan Manning]

Maybe a case of intonation?? hopefully a good luthier can help, certainly worth a shout.
Good luck.!!!

 

[Javier Roldan]

Just a fact I have just tested...

If I bend the string first and pick it then, the sound is clear. So it only happens if I pick the strign before making the bending. I undestand that this means that I don't have fret buzzing, as it should also happen when I bend the string and then pick it, isn't it?

Is it a flaw in my bending technique? If so, why is it only happenning to me in 12th fret of the first string?

Alan, thank you for your answer. Taking it to the luthier is an good option, but I'd like to understand where the problem is before.

Thank you again.

 

[rugerpc]

Not an intonation problem. No need for a luthier yet.

I hear dissonance (not buzzing) in the bends. Are other strings ringing? Try damping them as you bend.
Are there effects on like reverb? Try turning them off...

 

[Javier Roldan]

Not an intonation problem. No need for a luthier yet.

I hear dissonance (not buzzing) in the bends. Are other strings ringing? Try damping them as you bend.
Are there effects on like reverb? Try turning them off...

Hi rugerpc. Good point.

I have been testing the bending all around the freetboard in E and B strings and curiosly in only seems to happen noticeably in the 12th freet in the E string and the 17th fret in the B string. And guess what it is the same note!

Could it be what it is called a wolf note where the vibration of the string enters in resonance with the wood of the guitar?? Do you have a such thing in your guitar? I mean is it common? Can it be solved?

Thank you for your support.

 

[rugerpc]

It is sounding like a wolf tone...

Try the suggestions here:

http://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/the-tone-garage/eliminating-wolf-tones

And here:

http://www.sweetwater.com/insync/wolf-tone/

But, be aware. Changing things may eliminate your wolf tone only to induce another somewhere else...

 

[Alan Manning]

Fascinating !! Well you can learn something every day. I can honestly say I didn't know that term.
Great call rugerpc (Bill) top man
Wish you well Javier you'll find plenty of good folks here. keep us informed mate.!!!

 

[Javier Roldan]

For your information I have tried the following:

- Lower the pick up height
- Raise the action until 2mm
- Put foam beneath the tremolo springs
- Adjust a little the truss rod to minimize neck relief

Nothing has worked. I'm going to take the guitar to a luthier this afternoon to see what his opinion is.

 

[Javier Roldan]

Hi everyone,

Problem solved! A mix between a really good setup made by the luthier (he lowered bridge among otherr things adding sustain to the sound) and muting the E low string while bending the high E string in the 12th fret did the trick.

Thank you for your support.