Dual Pro String Buzzing

Eric Gearhart · Post by **Eric Gearhart** » 10 Apr 2006 9:50 am

I have a '52 Fender Dual Pro 6 and I keep getting this string buzzing on the front neck, paticularly on the 1st and 4th strings. I've had heavy guages (G) and now light guages (E6) but it still buzzes. Sounds like it's near the pickup. I've tightened all screws and the strings are not touching anything. It seems to go away when I think I've corrected something, but it always seems to come back. Any ideas? Thanks.

Rick Collins · Post by **Rick Collins** » 10 Apr 2006 10:21 am

Eric, when you have the strings off, try pushing down on the plate on which the pickup is mounted, to see that it is hugging the wood properly.

Also, see if the core (holding the windings) is vibrating. If there is vibration, remove the plate completely and try tightening the nuts on the bottom.

Tom Baylis · Post by **Tom Baylis** » 10 Apr 2006 10:29 am

If tightening the nuts below the pickup plate as Rick describes doesn't help, it could be the pickup bobbin losing its integrity that's causing the buzz. These degrade over time, especially if the original trap pickups haven't been rebuilt. Jason Lollar does rebuilds and can install a new bobbin in these old traps.
www.lollarguitars.com

Tom

Dan Sawyer · Post by **Dan Sawyer** » 10 Apr 2006 2:43 pm

That is a common problem on these types of pickups. It's an easy fix, but i can't remember how to do it. Somebody (Rick Aielo maybe?) wrote about how to do it. If you search the older posts maybe you can find it.

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 10 Apr 2006 3:09 pm

The best fix ... short of having a new bobbin made ... for a "collapsing" bobbin ...

Is to "lay in supports" ... that will "jack up" that area ... so the strings don't buzz the bobbin.

The orifice is 3/16" ... so get some dowel rods that are 3/16" ... sand one end down like a suppository (or bullet bar ... sorry babies and all ... ha, ha) ... and ...

Insert several ... gently between the strings in the collapsing part.

If you are too rough ... you may compromise the coil ... but without this fix ... ya gotta send it to Jason or Jerry anyway.

Once in place ... and after testing ... if it holds up the bobbin well ... and everything returns to normal .... place alittle yellow carpenters glue on either side of each dowel ... to keep it from shifting ... at the wrong moment ...

I did this to my Dually trap ... it works very well.

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<font size=1>Hawaiian Steel Stuff
The Casteels</font>

John Bechtel · Post by **John Bechtel** » 17 Apr 2006 9:46 pm

I did basicaly the same thing on one of the Customs I had, but only in the center. (between strings #4 & #5) The actual reason I did this was because I had seen this on a Custom about 40 yrs. before and thought they were all like that! (Little did I know!) Anyway, the difference on mine was that I made the spacers out of popcicle~sticks, on edge and sanded to 3/16”±.

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“Big John”
a.k.a. {Keoni Nui}
Current Equipment

Howard Tate · Post by **Howard Tate** » 18 Apr 2006 5:01 am

This probably does not apply, but my little Artisan was buzzing like that. I lowered the pickup about a sixteenth of an inch, and it cured the problem. I don't know why, but it worked.

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Howard