Fret Buzz - High Frets Lightning - New Biscuit?

[sbrennan970]

Hi all,

I recently purchased a preowned Lightning resonator - the seller had mentioned the action was setup for fingerstyle - on receiving the instrument I'm finding that the action is so low that I'm getting some fret buzz on the 12th Fret (and beyond).

I suspect it's an issue with the height of the biscuit - does anyone have any advice on raising the action?

Thanks a million!

Stephen

[Michael Messer]

Hi Stephen,

Thank you for becoming a part of the MM Guitars family.

It is likely not high frets or the biscuit, but the saddle that is too low. Or it may be lack of relief in the neck. Before advising about any adjustments, can you post a few photos - side view of break angle from tailpiece to bridge saddle, from neck-side view of bridge/biscuit, side view of neck string height showing 12th fret and nut.

Oh....and just out of interest, what is the serial number?

With that information we should be able to advise you correctly.

Shine On
Michael

[sbrennan970]

Hi Michael,

Here is a link to the album with images:

imgur.com/a/Tnx8zz5

It's MML0029, I believe the 29th Lightning off the line from our email discussions!

Thanks again,
Stephen

[landman]

I have a question related to nut and string height. I purchased a Blues 12 and tuned it to Open G. Nice guitar and it plays well but I find that I'm banging the frets when I play slide on the 1st string, even when I'm careful and watching what I'm doing. Set up was supposed to be 5/64th on 1st string and 7/64 on 6th string but I don't know if that measurement was applicable to the 12th fret for each string. I suppose it was.

I'd like to raise the height of the 1st string and I'm wondering if the nut is glued in or if it is easily removed. If it's removable I thought I could add a thin shim beneath the nut to raise it slightly without throwing the intonation off, etc.

Any thoughts or comments on what I might do to get that 1st string a little higher?

[resotonic]

Maybe the string slot is cut too deep. If so, fill the string slot in with superglue (or similar product) & re-slot. If it's not the slot, your idea to raise the nut should work. I have found lightly tapping the nut should break it free (strings slacked off, of course).
My 2 cents worth...

[Bo Grohl]

Sept 5, 2022 23:11:08 GMT landman said:

I have a question related to nut and string height. I purchased a Blues 12 and tuned it to Open G. Nice guitar and it plays well but I find that I'm banging the frets when I play slide on the 1st string, even when I'm careful and watching what I'm doing. Set up was supposed to be 5/64th on 1st string and 7/64 on 6th string but I don't know if that measurement was applicable to the 12th fret for each string. I suppose it was.

I'd like to raise the height of the 1st string and I'm wondering if the nut is glued in or if it is easily removed. If it's removable I thought I could add a thin shim beneath the nut to raise it slightly without throwing the intonation off, etc.

Any thoughts or comments on what I might do to get that 1st string a little higher?

What gauge is your first string? 
What type of slide are you using?
How are you using your slide / what finger?
- try a 15 on the top string.
- try a lighter slide.
- if you have the slide over all finger knuckles, you won't be able to have it level with the fretboard easily. Adjust technique accordingly.
TT

[Pickers Ditch]

TT beat me to it!

[pete1951]

Sept 5, 2022 23:11:08 GMT landman said:

I have a question related to nut and string height. I purchased a Blues 12 and tuned it to Open G. Nice guitar and it plays well but I find that I'm banging the frets when I play slide on the 1st string, even when I'm careful and watching what I'm doing. Set up was supposed to be 5/64th on 1st string and 7/64 on 6th string but I don't know if that measurement was applicable to the 12th fret for each string. I suppose it was.

I'd like to raise the height of the 1st string and I'm wondering if the nut is glued in or if it is easily removed. If it's removable I thought I could add a thin shim beneath the nut to raise it slightly without throwing the intonation off, etc.

Any thoughts or comments on what I might do to get that 1st string a little higher?

I always have my nut cut as low as possible and have (I think, I’ve been playing a while) developed a technique that doesn’t hit the low frets. Do you ever use a capo? Do you still hit the next fret up?

If the nut is ok for finger style you should not need to touch it.

Making it higher will mean low fretted notes will play a little sharp.

What gauge strings do you have on the guitar? And do you use a very heavy slide?
Pete


TT beat me to it as well

[landman]

Thanks to everyone above. I purchased my guitar from 12th Fret in Toronto and as I stated above I was told that the 1st string was set at 5/64 and the 6th string at 7/64 and I'll presume those are measurements at the 12th Fret. So, I'm not sure what brand or size the strings are and I change the within a couple of weeks but 12 Fret included a set of 13-56 Didarrios and that is probably what is on it. I will certainly check then to see if the nut is glued into place, some luthiers do it and other's don't.

I typically use a ceramic Joe Perry or a glass Dunlop and wear it on my little finger and I believe my touch is pretty light. I also play a National and I bought a string gauge so as soon as I can get around to it I'm going to check both guitars at the nut. I'm very reluctant to take a neck wrench to it and I will not do that myself, I'll just have to learn to work around it.

So anyway, thanks again. I appreciate the responses and if anything dramatic occurs with it Ill advise.