I’m getting some buzzing on the strings when I bar above the 15th fret. I’ve tried lowering the pickups by turning the screws at the side of each pick up, but doesn’t appear to be much better.
Any tips?
Stringmaster buzzing
Moderator: Brad Bechtel
- Joe A. Roberts
- Posts: 194
- Joined: 24 Mar 2021 6:23 pm
- Location: Seoul, South Korea
Some setup tips from a post I saved authored by Mr. Stephen Cowell:
" Sustain... there are four big screws (not near the edge, under the cover) behind the bridge that determine (to a large part) the response of the guitar. Over time these screws get loose... tightening them will increase sustain and improve the tone of the guitar. If they strip, pull them out and put toothpicks and Elmer's glue back in... when they're tight, the guitar is at its optimum and your high registers will sound better. You can also hot-rod a SM by putting in string-through-body retainers (like a Tele)... not a simple job, but will really bring out playing above the 12th fret, where normally SM's die badly. "
Full thread:
https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=281696
" Sustain... there are four big screws (not near the edge, under the cover) behind the bridge that determine (to a large part) the response of the guitar. Over time these screws get loose... tightening them will increase sustain and improve the tone of the guitar. If they strip, pull them out and put toothpicks and Elmer's glue back in... when they're tight, the guitar is at its optimum and your high registers will sound better. You can also hot-rod a SM by putting in string-through-body retainers (like a Tele)... not a simple job, but will really bring out playing above the 12th fret, where normally SM's die badly. "
Full thread:
https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=281696
- Stephen Cowell
- Posts: 2875
- Joined: 6 Jan 2012 8:13 am
- Location: Round Rock, Texas, USA
I've decided that glue is bad there! Please just use toothpicks... I've broken screws that are glued in, a real pain to get them out... you have to go back with dowels.
I can see that some of the screws look loose... loosen the strings, then tighten the screws. Don't tighten too much, if you warp the top plate you're not helping the sustain.
I'll go back and edit that post to remove the glue idea.
I can see that some of the screws look loose... loosen the strings, then tighten the screws. Don't tighten too much, if you warp the top plate you're not helping the sustain.
I'll go back and edit that post to remove the glue idea.
New FB Page: Lap Steel Licks And Stuff: https://www.facebook.com/groups/195394851800329
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- Posts: 1192
- Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
- Location: London,Ont,Canada
An update: I also had a ground issue. Took my Stringmaster to my local repair shop. He said the two necks were grounded by a staple and had come loose. He reinforced and reattached. Now that it’s back the sustain is also better. I suppose removing the screws and rescrewing helped.
I may still try the quarter trick.
I may still try the quarter trick.