The B string on my my Epiphone LP causes a vibration, I think in one of the pickups. It's not fret buzz, it happens regardless of which fret I use or when I play the string open.
As far as I can tell the vibration is coming from one of the pickups, there's nothing loose around the bridge or saddles.
Is this a common issue with humbuckers? It's only a quiet vibration but as a home-learner, it bugs me.
Any suggestions of what to look for? I'm thinking about taking the pickups out to investigate but this is uncharted territory for me, so I would rather be armed with helpful advice from those who understand these things.
Thanks Guys.
Comments
How close are the pickups to the strings?
Is it a sitar type sound? If so check your saddles or nut for any burrs.
As skunkwerx says, photographs, video or audio recordings of the problem would greatly aid remote diagnosis.
1. Does the Epiphone bridge have a saddle retaining wire?
3. Do you top wrap your strings around the tailpiece?
5. Is one of your humbuckers adjusted so low that the height adjustment spring is no longer compressed?
6. What tuning is the guitar in?
7. If you are tuned BEADF#B, which B string is creating the resonance?
It's definitely a mechanical vibration and occurs when the guitar is not connected to the amp.
The strings have been on for 6 months, so are due for a change. I will work my way through the suggestions you have both made
3. Do you top wrap your strings around the tailpiece? - No, I use the conventional method.
5. Is one of your humbuckers adjusted so low that the height adjustment spring is no longer compressed? I don't think so, but need to look closer.
6. What tuning is the guitar in? Standard tuning - too much of a leaner to think about alternative tuning.
7. If you are tuned BEADF#B, which B string is creating the resonance?
Thanks guys, I really appreciate the helpful responses from both of you.
Chris
Sorry that was probably no help whatsoever.
Made me laugh though
OTHER THINGS THAT BUZZ
Six month old strings could have broken wraps on the wound strings.
Damaged bridge saddle slots. (More of a neeoing than a buzz.)
High fret at the dusty end.
Machinehead hex nut working undone.
Poorly fitting studs and threaded inserts.
The pickguard and its bracket.
The truss rod and/or its channel sleeve.
Jack socket working loose on its plate.
* skunkwerx And I - soon to be a major motion picture.
I had a random buzz on my Ec-1000 once, turns out it was the truss rod cover. Even when tight, because its held on by just one screw, the bottom end closest the nut was still slightly off the headstock. Tightening it helped a bit but some foam or something under it would alleviate.
I suppose it could still be something on the guitar not playing nice with any note on the b.. the frequency of it maybe? Unlikely though I’d have thought.
It happening open AND fretted eliminates the nut.
A new set of strings has cured the problem. There's no major wear on the bridge, saddles or tailpiece and I could not see anything wrong with the string, therefore I don't have a definite diagnosis - probably wear on the string I expect.
I take the point you both made about making a recording of the noise - noted for future reference.
The thing I take away from this thread is to change the strings before troubling decent people on the forum.
Thanks Guys, it's really good of you both to take the time to help a newbie.
Chris
For the record it's an Epi LP Custom, approaching 10 years old I believe.
I’ve also had bits of fluff n shite get trapped inbetween string and bridge/nut thats made things sound off before!