open string buzz

finest1

hi all,  

I'm setting up an MIM strat.  it has the following specs:

9.5 radius neck
vintage style frets, not medium jumbo

I'm getting open string buzz on following strings:

low e : no buzz
b : no buzz
G: slight buzz as note decays
d:  no buzz
A: buzz when string is plucked
low E: no buzz

action at 17th fret is at 1.8mm as advised by fender website

neck set straight via truss rod

I'm wondering if I should keep raising the action or is it the nut?

nut was replaced by previous owner to graphtech tusq nut

really annoying!!!

thanks!!

Winny_Pooh

Nut is at fault if the buzz disappears when you fret at the first fret.

impmann

What he said.

WezV

Also... "neck set straight"

neck set with a little relief works much better.  Loosen that truss rod a smidge 

finest1

ok, I'll try that and let you know how it goes

PVO_Dave

If it helps @finest1 I had this issue on the high e string, detailed in this thread: http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/comment/1498943/#Comment_1498943

Funkfingers

How and when are you assessing neck straightness? (Under string tension or not?)

Some versions of the Graphtech/TUSQ nut come pre-slotted. This, however, does not mean that the nut is properly finished. Some fettling may still be necessary to the slots.

If a previous owner has fettled but not cleaned up properly where the string leaves the edge of the nut, this can create weird, sitar-like overtones. Another faint possibility is that the nut has a crack in it.

It is worth measuring the spacing between the string slots in the Graphtech nut with respect to the Fender MIM nut width and spacing specifications. If there is a mismatch between, say, Mexican and American specifications, the strings could pass over a taller portion of the frets than the Graphtech designers envisaged.

Finally, did you use a radius gauge to set the heights of the individual bridge saddles? 

finest1

thanks PVO dave

@funkfingers: ;

yes neck under string tension

yes I used a radius guage 

I will compare the nut string spacing with fender specs when I get some time during the week

thanks

finest1

hi all

update:  I added some relief via the truss rod. I got a clearance of .009-.010 at the 7th and 8th fret. that did calm slightly the buzzing on the A string, but it still buzzes slightly as the string decays.

I checked the nut clearance at the 1st fret (not fretted) although I can't seem to find typical measurement. I watched a youtube video where the luthier suggested .018" or .457mm.  my nut clearance measures .009". fretted at the 3rd fret, it measures .003" or 0.23mm

action at 17th fret is at the 2.0mm height

any thoughts?

sweepy

The G string buzz could be explained if you only have one string tree and the string inst wound low enough