Hi everyone - I've noticed from time to time while flatpicking, I'm getting these subtle, faint, buzzy overtones when I pluck the B string. Here are some details:

- D1A (newish), EJ17s, medium action, plenty o' saddle
- it happens when I hit an open B or fretted (more noticeable on open B)
- it doesn't always happen
- it kinda seems like it might be related to my pick angle/attack
- no other string exhibit this
- string ball ends seem snug on plate, pins seem snug and pressed all the way down

Any idears on what's causing this?

I was gonna try a set of Pearse mediums and see what happens. I also thought I'd try leaving a few more winds on the tuning peg so that there is a bit more downward pull on the nut/slot. I'll also check for loose tuners.

Thanks!
Doug

This message has been edited. Last edited by: northernbreed,

quote:

I also thought I'd try leaving a few more winds on the tuning peg so that there is a bit more downward pull on the nut/slot

Good idea. I had a similar B string problem a few years back and it turned out that the string was buzzing at the nut because the tuner side of the slot was cut too low, leaving room for a buzz. I first tried more winds as you suggest and it helped, but did not solve the problem. I ultimately had to make a new nut.

Good luck
Warren

Besides the checking out the nut take a close look at the string saddle contact.
Rick

quote:

Originally posted by rick-slo:
Besides the checking out the nut take a close look at the string saddle contact.
Rick

Thanks, Rick - what exactly should I look for?

quote:

Originally posted by Warren Denning:

Good idea. I had a similar B string problem a few years back and it turned out that the string was buzzing at the nut because the tuner side of the slot was cut too low, leaving room for a buzz. I first tried more winds as you suggest and it helped, but did not solve the problem. I ultimately had to make a new nut.

Good luck
Warren

I'll check it out - thanks...

Has it been dry in Da U.P., eh? lately? If the problem persists after ruling out a bad string, improper seating, etc., it may be that low humidity caused the top to flatten a bit. One of the first symptoms is when string starts to slightly buzz.

quote:

Originally posted by northernbreed:

quote:

Originally posted by rick-slo:
Besides the checking out the nut take a close look at the string saddle contact.
Rick

Thanks, Rick - what exactly should I look for?

You might see a little groove forming. It might be hard to tell. The string should have good contact right up to the soundhole side edge of the saddle.
Rick

I had the same issue on my LoPrinzi dread and it was buzzing on the saddle. My tech did some quick filing on the saddle in front of the string contact and it was gone. Careful not to change the strings point-of-contact or you may effect intonation of that string.

quote:

Originally posted by redavide:
Has it been dry in Da U.P., eh? lately? If the problem persists after ruling out a bad string, improper seating, etc., it may be that low humidity caused the top to flatten a bit. One of the first symptoms is when string starts to slightly buzz.

Chaa - right, low humidity in da U.P., eh? Ya, sure. It's still around 53% in da house.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I'll check the saddle contact area this morning.

Dug, 53%? Das gud -- mus' be da darn pik angle -- try 53 degrees only on B string to match da umidity . . . Dis werks sumtimes . . .

Update: I changed out to a set of Pearse PB mediums after checking everything that folks here talked about (and more). I still get the buzzy-overtone thing to some extent, but not as loud. I'm starting think this might be kinda normal, and that maybe I'm making too much out of it. I hear this sound coming from recordings of a number of Collings D1 and D2 adi-top models - maybe it's just the nature of the B string and a pick. There does seem to be a place somewhere between the middle of the sound hole and a bit past the edge of the sound hole towards the saddle where the effect is minimized. For now I'm gonna ignore it and see what happens. Funny how the string change made it a bit better - I would thought steel strings were the same.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: northernbreed,