Hi Bryan,,,, I have been attempting to get a bad buzz out of the "D" string on my old Martin.It was buzzing when unfretted so I put a slice of card stock under the bridge & this didn`t help so I put another slice under the nut & that took it out. It may be in my mind but the D18 does not seem to be as loud now. Was card stock too thick ? This is my 37 & she is a cannon ! I talked to you a few weeks back about a 56 D18 & I`m getting my cash together to get it out to you. It needs a set & your "helping" hand so to speak. She`s a real good looking guitar but I just can`t hear her ! Any advice would be welcomed. Thanks Darrell

"so I put a slice of card stock under the bridge"

Card stock? As in paper card, or credit card? If it's paper, no wonder it's damping the volume! You definitely need Bryan to give this guitar a good setup, sounds like. It will make your guitar sound better and play easier.

Gary Collier (I'm not Bryan, don't play him in the movies either! <g> )
Hotlanta

Hi Gary,,, yes, it was a very tiny slice of a business card under both nut & saddle. Sounds like thats too thick ? Have you tried something different ?

Darrell,

I've used a credit card before, trimming an old one to get a piece from it that matches the footprint of the bottom of the saddle. I wouldn't use anything paper related, though. Think about it.... card stock would only muffle sound, where something more solid will help transfer it better.

Many makers use Tusq saddles, which to me is supercharged plastic! What is the best improvement in tone that can be done with that? Switching from Tusq to bone! Why? The density in bone is better than in Tusq, and that density transfers the sound waves better, and your sound is usually louder and clearer as a result.

We know plastic (credit card) is denser than paper (business card), so it's no wonder that "the D18 does not seem to be as loud now", as you stated.

Again, the shims should just be a temporary help, at best. If only one string is buzzing, it almost sounds like a low nut slot to me, instead of the saddle being the problem. The ultimate solution is to let Bryan or a good luthier check out the whole guitar, and figure out what the real problems are.

Gary, you outta see the buffalo horn saddle I made for my D2h <g>
Atlanta

Gary, you`ve been very kind & informitive. I may go ahead & send Bryan my 37 D18 too , she has been an incredible guitar & a great workhorse,, deserves much more luthier knowledge than I have. I would love to acquire a good D1A & give the Martin alittle rest. Thanks again.....

Buzzing on the open strings is usually a nut problem. Try taking the shim out of the bridge slot, but leave the one under the nut. The saddle plays a bigger roll in tone than the nut. If the saddle is not too low without it's shim, the shim under the nut should solve the problem and bring you tone back. Have a good repairman take a look in person. Bryan is good, but there is only so much he can see via internet. He needs to see it in person.

More good advice,, thanks !! You guys remember me if a good D1 or D1A comes around.

It sounds like you just need a good nut/saddle setup. Pretty common for the nut to wear out and start buzzing. Card stock is a horrible dampening material! Yuck. If you have to shim (and a small shim in itself isn't a total killer), use 800/400/220 grit sandpaper and superglue it to the bottom of the saddle/nut. Just run a thin line on the saddle/nut, set it on the sandpaper's paper side, smear it around, and hold. Then trim with scissors. This'll give a good hard .010" thick shim.

Shoot me an e-mail off-forum and let's schedule a date, if you want.

bakimsey@bacavalley.com

Bryan Kimsey
http://www.bryankimsey.com