Buzz on high E string

[CubanB]

On a Floyd Rose guitar.. with 9's.. everything is good, minimal buzz except for the high E string on the 12-22 fret.

On my other guitars I'd raise action on that string alone and I usually like the high E a bit higher than most other people but obviously FR bridge doesn't allow that adjustment.

Is there anything I can do, the rest of the neck is fine. Even the B string has no buzz.

 

[GuitarToma]

I'm not a guitar tech but I had a similar issue with a Les Paul recently, although mine was buzzing when just picked open. A trick that the guitar tech I went to built up the slot on the nut with a little bit of crazy glue in order raise that string up a little. It worked pretty damned good. I ended up having him replace the nut eventually and it only cost $65.

 

[strings777]

It sounds like the 13th fret might be a bit high under the E string. You can check this with something flat (like Stew Mac's fret rocker) that will span the 12th, 13th, and 14th frets to see if it rocks or not. Check out this video:
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/S...r.html?actn=100101&xst=3&xsr=106671&tab=Video

 

[tjmicsak]

You can shim any of the FR saddles individually with a thin brass stock available in any hardware or craft shop. Just cut the shim out to match the overall footprint of the saddle. This is often done on earlier Strats since the FR was never made at a 9.5" radius. I always shimmed the inner four saddles and then the inner two to match the neck radius.
With that all said you could easily raise the high E side of the bridge and I doubt you would note any drastic change to the middle strings at all. You may only need a quarter turn or less to fix it.
How is the relief on the neck?

 

[TheRealRiggins]

I bought a FR replacement saddle ages ago that had height adjustment screws just like a strat bridge saddle. If they still make them it may be what you're looking for.
Unfortunately I can't remember exactly who made it, but I'm pretty sure it was an aftermarket company like WD or allparts, something like that.

 

[JDouglee]

They sell saddles shims at Ibanez Rules, I've ordered before they work great.

I like my high E up a little higher too.

 

[SlumFrog]

You can try tweaking the claw hook screw closest to the high E. You may have to retune it, but thats what I do when I have slight buzz on my low E.

 

[CubanB]

Thanks guys, I'll give all these options a look on the next restring. The neck relief is good I think, I think it's on the bridge side. I'll try the claw screw or look at a shim and see how it goes from there. It could be one of the frets but it seems fine on the rest of the strings. Just that pesky 9..

If you raise the bridge stud on one side.. does that affect the ability for the FR to stay in tune? Can it be more lopsided?

 

[HoboMan]

You can shim any of the FR saddles individually with a thin brass stock available in any hardware or craft shop. Just cut the shim out to match the overall footprint of the saddle. This is often done on earlier Strats since the FR was never made at a 9.5" radius. I always shimmed the inner four saddles and then the inner two to match the neck radius.
With that all said you could easily raise the high E side of the bridge and I doubt you would note any drastic change to the middle strings at all. You may only need a quarter turn or less to fix it.
How is the relief on the neck?

This is the first I've heard of saddle shimming.
GREAT IDEA!

 

[CubanB]

After a string change. Raised the action on the high E side. A combination of trem claw and mainly the post. Went a touch high and then back down a bit. No buzz now, great pure tone. It's a fantastic guitar and this little niggle on the high E is gone now. I don't mind high action as with 9's and a fast neck, it's very easy to play. Still keeps tune as well if not better. It's the first string change (a tech did it last time) so it was good to go through it all.

It's the only minor niggle I had. I seriously have to recommend for those here to have a look for these, for those that like the pointy or shreddier ones. It's got the pure tone of a Fender or Suhr.. but the playability of an Ibanez. It's simply outstanding.. and I can't pick a fault with it.

It's got Suhr Aldrich set in it, but the 59 and JB that came with it aren't bad either.

I had a goal in mind with this guitar and it has exceeded all expectations. It's the Jackson DK2MQ Pro Series, MIM the same factory as my CP60's strat.