Odd buzz on specific notes

Paul Spafford · Post by **Paul Spafford** » 30 Jan 2021 6:40 pm

Something really weird going on with my Gretsch Boxcar squareneck. Iâ€™m getting a loud buzz in either the bridge or the resonator (canâ€™t tell for sure), but it only happens on certain notes. Iâ€™m tuned to open E, and it happens only on B notes. It doesnâ€™t matter whether itâ€™s "fretted" (with the bar) or an open string.

Itâ€™s a strong buzz that really rings out the note.

The strings are a couple months old, and thatâ€™s their only tuning I use.

Any thoughts?

Miles Lang · Post by **Miles Lang** » 31 Jan 2021 7:29 am

Might be that the resonator cone isnâ€™t seated right

Steve Lipsey · Post by **Steve Lipsey** » 31 Jan 2021 12:31 pm

Probably not this, but I actually sent my frypan back to Todd for a one-note buzz....and then finally realized it was a picture frame hanging loosely on the wall above my playing position...

Paul Spafford · Post by **Paul Spafford** » 31 Jan 2021 7:08 pm

Miles Lang wrote:Might be that the resonator cone isnâ€™t seated right

It wasnâ€™t doing it a few days ago. Is that something that shifts? Sorry I have little knowledge of the inner workings.

Paul Spafford · Post by **Paul Spafford** » 31 Jan 2021 7:11 pm

Steve Lipsey wrote:Probably not this, but I actually sent my frypan back to Todd for a one-note buzz....and then finally realized it was a picture frame hanging loosely on the wall above my playing position...

Ha! I play in multiple places in the house, so youâ€™re right: Probably not.

Sandy Inglis · Post by **Sandy Inglis** » 1 Feb 2021 12:42 am

Check the Machine Heads. I had a Fender Squire P=Bass which buzzed. It was one of the tuners!

Rick Abbott · Post by **Rick Abbott** » 1 Feb 2021 5:17 am

Paul Spafford wrote:
Miles Lang wrote:Might be that the resonator cone isnâ€™t seated right
It wasnâ€™t doing it a few days ago. Is that something that shifts? Sorry I have little knowledge of the inner workings.

The humidity in the house can have some effect on this. If the temp outside is a lot lower then the furnace would run more. If this is the case, then you probably need a setup on the cone. Also, try slightly loosening the cone adjustment to see if it gets worse. If so, tighten it gently until the noise stops. If you have to go very far, you need a cone setup.

Paul Spafford · Post by **Paul Spafford** » 1 Feb 2021 9:26 am

Rick Abbott wrote:The humidity in the house can have some effect on this. If the temp outside is a lot lower then the furnace would run more. If this is the case, then you probably need a setup on the cone. Also, try slightly loosening the cone adjustment to see if it gets worse. If so, tighten it gently until the noise stops. If you have to go very far, you need a cone setup.

Is the cone adjustment that hole in the middle of the metal that is over the bridge?

Bill Groner · Post by **Bill Groner** » 1 Feb 2021 9:44 am

Steve Lipsey wrote:Probably not this, but I actually sent my frypan back to Todd for a one-note buzz....and then finally realized it was a picture frame hanging loosely on the wall above my playing position...

IN YOUR CASE BAD VIBRATIONS!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdt0SOqPJcg

Steve Lipsey · Post by **Steve Lipsey** » 1 Feb 2021 12:56 pm

When I sent mine back, Todd did find a couple of tuner buttons that were loose, and he said that can sometimes cause a buzz....it wasn't, on mine, but might be, on yours...

Michael Butler · Post by **Michael Butler** » 3 Feb 2021 10:10 am

humidity can do that but on all of my guitars i use pencil lead on the nut and bridge. i also tighten all screws when changing strings.

play music!

Chris Boyd · Post by **Chris Boyd** » 3 Feb 2021 11:23 am

Is the cone adjustment that hole in the middle of the metal that is over the bridge?

Yes...

Paul Spafford · Post by **Paul Spafford** » 3 Feb 2021 11:27 am

Thanks, y'all. I'll lightly go at everything with a screwdriver and report back.

Paul Spafford · Post by **Paul Spafford** » 12 Apr 2021 8:57 am

Took me a while to get past the basic fear of playing with that screw in the middle of the bridge. Finally tried it out, and that fixed everything. Thanks, y'all!