12 String Buzzing Strings

[toom]

Can anybody help? I've a 3 year old Simon & Patrick 12 string. The 1st and 2nd strings are unplayable on the 1st fret - there's a terrible buzz. It's fine everywhere else on the fretboard. What's the likely problem?

Being new to restringing 12 string guitars, it could be me. I've ruined 3 sets of strings trying to put it right.

[thebluesbear( al)]

Hi

Let me ask a few questions

1.what type of strings were you trying to put on?
2...when you say i have ruined 3 sets of strings how exactly???

you have to re string one at a time ......before any attempt at diagnosis need to know

al

[Deleted]

If it's buzzing on the 1st fret most likely cause is the nut slots being a fraction too low (if you've changed the string gauges this may be enough to cause the string to sit lower in the slot). The other possible cause could be the 1st fret being a little high, but that's not as likely.

Two quick fixes would be to shim the nut to raise it fraction - you could superglue something like a scrap from an old credit card then sand it down (this could be done to raise the top strings more than the bass), or fill the slots and re-cut - superglue and baking powder is the favorite fix for this. I find that sometimes you can just mask everything off, bleed some glue in, dust in a little powder and consolidate it with a scalpel blade, and that's enough just to raise the bottom of the slot without having to re-cut the slot. Best fix may to get a new nut if it really is too low, but these are 'quick and dirty' fixes that do work at a pinch. If you aren't experienced with guitar repairs, this can be a frustrating thing to sort.

You really need to diagnose the problem before attacking it - slipping a couple of thicknesses of baking foil into the nut slot may raise the string just enough to tell you that this is the way to go.

[toom]

Thanks for the replies.

By ruined I mean the strings kept snapping. I found it totally confusing restringing the guitar - just too many strings and all those octaves

There's very little choice of strings for 12 s guitars in Cardiff. I think I used Martin strings after taking off the original ones. I have a set of D'Addario 85*15 waiting next, but I'm frightened to put them on!

I might follow the advice from LR re the Seagull 6 string - and get another set from Godin. The guitar was fine at first.

Perhaps it's as simple as the gauge of the strings being unsuitable for the nut holes. The problem is everybody I've spoken to wants £40 to check it!

One of the guys who could check it is Dave Dearnaley, who is a superb blues guitarist. He's one of the original members of Snatch It Back, the best R & B band in the world ;D. It might be worth £40 to take it to him,

[Michael Messer]

Hi Toom,

I know Dave Dearnaley. I haven't seen him for many years. Back in the early 90s I did a few shows with Snatch It Back. Please say hello from me when you next see him.

Shine On,
Michael.

[SoloBill]

Hi,
It could be the nut but if it plays OK except when you fret at the first fret then that suggests that the second fret is high or the first fret is low.

Hold down the string at the first and twelth frets and look along the fretboard and try to see where the string contacts the frets and where it doesn't. Or try using a straight edge along the fretboard.

To be clear, what gauge strings were on it and what gauge have you tried to fit?

[Gerry C]

Another quick method of finding out whether it's fret or nut is to slap a capo on the first fret and play the string. If it still buzzes it will probably be the fret; if not, it will most likely be the nut. If the guitar has been played a lot in its 3-year history it may well be worth the £40 to take it in and have it properly set up: any competent luthier (and I stress the adjective) or repairman should fix the buzz and make the guitar nice again.

Cheerily,

Gerry C

[Deleted]

Just read this again..do you mean it buzzes when you fret it at the first fret....sorry, I thought you meant it was buzzing on the 1st fret (ie played open). If that's the case, sounds like a low 1st fret, probably worn down, and you may just need the frets leveling and reprofiling. £40 just to check it sounds excessive - a decent luthier should be able to diagnose it pretty quickly - as gerryc says, sticking a capo on it is a good first check.