Well poop!!

[Aahzz]

Got the new blue Vela semi set up to my liking, and have come down with a case of horrendous string buzz on the low E, open through third fret. A metric buttload of neck relief makes most of it go away, but I'm suspecting nut issues. I do my own basic setup stuff, but for nut work it's going off to a luthier...now I just need to find one. I'm hoping it's just the nut....

 

[RallyFanatic]

Buzz aside, how do they compare in sound? I’m torn between the solid and semi hollow...

 

[Aahzz]

Buzz aside, how do they compare in sound? I’m torn between the solid and semi hollow...

They both sound incredible. They're more similar than they are different - best I can say so far is that the Semi is a little chimier, and the solid is ever so slightly twangier - but they both have both chime and twang. The attack on the semi hollow is slightly softer. Both can do great cleans and fire-breathing rock tones.

 

[Boogie]

Poop...

 

[Fram]

Hi Aahzz,

I had a similar issue, try dropping the single coil down and see what happens.

It’s probably something else, but for mine that was it.

cheers
Fram

 

[Sybo]

I found both of mine are REALLY sensitive to truss adjustments. I do micro adjustments and let her rest a day. Humidity and temperature changes are really changing here in Nashville. My MIM Tele (Chi Chi) blew me away after this winter. It took a bit of diddling. I hope it’s not anything else, although, as we all know, nothing is perfect. BEST of luck friend with her. I DO LOVE my Velas.......... Jim

 

[aphantomvaper]

As a test you could put a tiny piece of paper under the E so it raises a smidge and see if the buzz goes away, then you'll know if that's what needs fixing.

TBH I have an acoustic guitar that has had a paper match in the G slot to 30 years, works fine! Applause (the guitar model, not response)

 

[bodia]

Aw crap

 

[Stephen J.]

I don’t think the nut would be a factor for string buzz on fretted notes. Open, sure, but not fretted.

 

[Aahzz]

I don’t think the nut would be a factor for string buzz on fretted notes. Open, sure, but not fretted.

Fretted only on the first 3 frets, because the action up there is just way too low unless I add a ton of neck relief.

I played around some more and I'm positive it's the nut. Maybe the previous owner filed it down for 11s, although given the amount of neck relief it had when I received it I'm guessing he just messed up the setup and then sold the guitar.

 

[Geosh]

I don’t think the nut would be a factor for string buzz on fretted notes. Open, sure, but not fretted.

Yep. The nut only pertains to open strings. Capo first fret and see if you still have an issue. Then it’s either relief, action, or a fret issue.

 

[shinksma]

Fretted only on the first 3 frets, because the action up there is just way too low unless I add a ton of neck relief.

I played around some more and I'm positive it's the nut. Maybe the previous owner filed it down for 11s, although given the amount of neck relief it had when I received it I'm guessing he just messed up the setup and then sold the guitar.

But @Stephen J. is correct - if it buzzes when you fret the string, it can't be the nut - it is no longer part of the equation.

My guess is the 4th fret needs a mild tamp down.

 

[Aahzz]

Just messed around some more, can get everything but the open string buzz to go away with an acceptable amount of neck relief .

 

[Stephen J.]

Just messed around some more, can get everything but the open string buzz to go away with an acceptable amount of neck relief .

In that case, is it a sitar like buzz, or a more pronounced buzz? If kind of sitar like, it may be the nut slot is higher on the headstock side than on the fingerboard side. This could create a very small gap below the string and create some buzz.

 

[Aahzz]

In that case, is it a sitar like buzz, or a more pronounced buzz? If kind of sitar like, it may be the nut slot is higher on the headstock side than on the fingerboard side. This could create a very small gap below the string and create some buzz.

It's a nut slot cut too low - the string touches the first fret even when open unless I add a ridiculous amount of relief. Will be taking it to a tech for a new nut.

 

[Broseph]

Can you simply order a new core nut and replace it yourself? Or go tusq xl?

 

[Broseph]

Although I won’t judge if you’re afraid to remove a nut. When I tried on my zach Myers I failed epically. Took off some of the wood under it. So much glue was put on by the factory. I had a luthier put a new one on much better than I could have.

 

[Aahzz]

Although I won’t judge if you’re afraid to remove a nut. When I tried on my zach Myers I failed epically. Took off some of the wood under it. So much glue was put on by the factory. I had a luthier put a new one on much better than I could have.

Yeah, I'm not mechanically inclined. I'd much rather have someone who know what they're doing do it .

 

[Fram]

Well the good news is, it’s only a nut and a quick and relatively cheap fix, which means it won’t take long and you will be jamming in no time

 

[Aahzz]

Well the good news is, it’s only a nut and a quick and relatively cheap fix, which means it won’t take long and you will be jamming in no time

Yup! Found a local tech that gets good recommendations, have a 2-pack of nuts incoming from PRS.