McCarty 594 SE Standard adjustments to remove first fret buzz after changing strings ?

[Boo]

Hi,

I am a beginner and recently changed from the original as-supplied 10-46 strings to 9-42 strings to make bends easier. I also changed the tuners to Gotoh SD90-SLB MG types, re-using the existing bushings in place.

I had was no immediate issue, but now, a few months later, I am finding I have some buzz when I hold down the Low E and the G strings at the first fret. There is also a little buzz on the A and B strings but next to none on the D and high-E strings. I know that it is probably good advice to take it to a luthier for adjustment and inspection but I wondered whether these symptoms are a known thing and whether adjusting the bridge height and/or truss rod would be sensible for me to attempt ? I intend to keep adjustments small and reversible so if I do take it to a luthier later no harm should be done. I've discovered the PRS Tech Centre videos on adjusting the truss rod and the action and will watch them before doing anything.

So my questions are:

1. Should I adjust the truss rod ?
1a. If so clockwise or anti-clockwise ?
2. Should I adjust the bridge adjuster screws ?
2a. If so clockwise or anti-clockwise ?
3. Or something else ?

Thanks,

Boo

 

[Boo]

OK, I guess a lot of people seeing that post will think I was over-thinking things. In the end, all I did was turn the truss rod ~ 1/8th of a turn anti-clockwise viewed from the neck and all the buzzing went away.

I didn't measure anything but there is a great video by MusicNomad's tech on youtube which goes through a complete setup and I might do that another time.

Boo

 

[Slo-mo]

Sorry, saw this at work but couldn't respond until now.

Truss rod was my thought since you went down in string gauge. I don't always need much adjustment with just 10's to 9's, but 11's to 9's or 10's to 8's would definitely need a tweak due to tension change. I think you have a 2 piece stop tail, correct? If so that adjustment should be all you need. With tremolo bridges, you usually have to adjust the springs on back side as well or bridge will lean forward/backward depending whether increase or decrease in tension.

 

[show_a_little_faith]

OK, I guess a lot of people seeing that post will think I was over-thinking things. In the end, all I did was turn the truss rod ~ 1/8th of a turn anti-clockwise viewed from the neck and all the buzzing went away.

I didn't measure anything but there is a great video by MusicNomad's tech on youtube which goes through a complete setup and I might do that another time.

Boo

Changing gauge can definitely affect it, but season temp/humidity changes can too so expect over time it can vary and you might need to tweak it again. Stew Mac also has some great videos on how to do your own set-ups and adjustments

 

[deathworlder]

Since you're a beginner...
Did you notice those tuners are side-specific?

 

[Boo]

Sorry, saw this at work but couldn't respond until now.

Truss rod was my thought since you went down in string gauge. I don't always need much adjustment with just 10's to 9's, but 11's to 9's or 10's to 8's would definitely need a tweak due to tension change. I think you have a 2 piece stop tail, correct? If so that adjustment should be all you need. With tremolo bridges, you usually have to adjust the springs on back side as well or bridge will lean forward/backward depending whether increase or decrease in tension.

It's a stop tail, as you say. The string change was a while ago so I hardened up on show-a-little-faith's suggestion below:

Changing gauge can definitely affect it, but season temp/humidity changes can too so expect over time it can vary and you might need to tweak it again. Stew Mac also has some great videos on how to do your own set-ups and adjustments

Yes, the weather has turned a fair bit colder in Brighton over the last week or so and I think that might be the reason. A tweak of the truss rood sorted the problem, I just had never had to do it before but it's obviously easy to do.

Thanks all for your replies,

Boo

 

[Boo]

Since you're a beginner...
Did you notice those tuners are side-specific?

Yes, as you say, the tuner locks have left-hand thread on one side and right-hand threads on the other, thanks for pointing it out as that could have made a difference if I'd got it wrong,

Boo

 

[deathworlder]

Yes, as you say, the tuner locks have left-hand thread on one side and right-hand threads on the other, thanks for pointing it out as that could have made a difference if I'd got it wrong,

Boo

The bass tuners have bigger post holes than the treble tuners, as well.