The Steel Guitar Forum

OK, I need some expert advice...

I think ever since I bought my MSA Classic Double 10 in 77 I have had a buzz in the 5,6,and 7th strings when I play above the 13th fret. (Especially the 6th) It acts like those strings are lower than the rest and slap under the bar creating a "buzz" when picked. A straight edge over the strings, the nut and bridge is inconclusive.

I have replaced the strings, and checked the nut and bridge - all looks OK. No dirt or anything I can see.

If I press down on the bar pretty hard it will go away, but of course the intonation goes to pot.

This is REALLY bugging me and I don't know where to look now. Any suggestions, reasonable or far out there are much appreciated! ----Roger

What are the string gauges you are using?

<SMALL>I think ever since I bought my MSA Classic Double 10 in 77 I have had a buzz in the 5,6,and 7th strings</SMALL>

You've only waited 24 years. I think you should play it at least until 2015 to be absolutely sure you know what the problem is. Then get back to us.

OK Jeff...don't get wise....I'm kidding about the buzz being there since I bought it...but it has appeared and I don't know why.

Bob, my strings are pretty standard:
1 .013 6 .020 P
2 .015 7 .026 W
3 .011 8 .030 W
4 .014 9 .034 W
5 .017 10 .036 W

I have to assume they were guaged correctly out of the package.

Thanks for your help! ----Roger

try to replace the 5th with a 0.18 p and the 6th with a 022p.
Maybe this gives more flesh to the bar....
JJ

Roger
This is a suggestion that might work !

Check the top of the changer where the strings cross over the top to see if there is a grove worn there . If so , use some # 600 emery cloth and CAREFULLY sand the grove , if any , out and then polish with Mother's polish for a like new finish . Check
also for this condition on both the top roller nuts and tuning key shafts to make sure there are no burrs or groves on them. All your strings should be installed so that they go as straight as possible from the top roller nuts to the tuning key shafts after they are all up to pitch .

Hope this helps !

John

John's suggestion is a good one, but you have to be careful not to "flatten out" the top of the changer! If you make the radius any larger than it is...your problem will be magnified.

The benefit of a large radius on the changer is that it lessens string breakage, but the downside is that the larger the radius...the more prone the buzzing noises are.

In other words, be careful when you do this! Since the problem "goes away" with increased pressure, I suspect the problem is grooves, as John said.

Thank you, guys. I will pull the strings off and take another look. I know with 99% surety that the rollers over top the changer are fine. I'm not so sure about the rollers on the nut.

If I want to replace the rollers, does anyone know off hand if I can still get parts for my MSA? I'll check out the web, as well. Thanks again ----Roger

If there is damage on the surface of a chnager finger, put that one under the biggest fattest string where it won't hurt the sound.

Maybe,it's "Buzzz" Evans. ;D

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Could be the "Bee" string.

Sounds like you've checked everything else, so It must be down at the changer. And that makes sense, because If It was the rollers It would buzz on the 1st and 3rd fret real good.

BC.

Check the changer fingers again. I had a friend that was breaking 3rd strings on a different brand of guitar, and there did not seem to be anything on the changer finger that was sharp - no burrs, etc that could be felt or even seen with a magnifying glass. But, he very lightly wet sanded it with 600 emery paper and then hit it with Simichrome polish and the string breakage problem went away.

Roger, topics about instuments belong in the 'Pedal Steel' forum. By putting things in the right places, we make it easier for people to search and find the answers to their questions.

I'm moving this topic to "Pedal Steel".

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