Help! I have "trussrod-O-phobia"..............

[GASMAN]

Getting a buzz on my E,A and D open strings. When fretted, the buzz seems to not be there. Is this a trussrod issue?

Adjusting the trussrod frightens me, so please be gentle in explaining how this is done.

Thanks.

[tom]

Sounds .like you just need to take just a little off the rod.

[GASMAN]

Sounds .like you just need to take just a little off the rod.

So that would be turning it counter-clockwise, correct?

Sorry if that's a silly question but-------well, like I mentioned before.

Really appreciate the help Tom. Thanks alot.

[tom]

Correct, just do a little at a time.

[GASMAN]

OK. I loosened it maybe a quarter of a turn and I think it has helped with the E and A string, but the D still has some buzz.

Could adjusting the saddle height for the D string make any difference?

Oh-----happy Thanks Giving!

[Pietro]

Try ONE more quarter turn first.

[GASMAN]

Try ONE more quarter turn first.

Did one more quarter turn. Still getting a buzz from the open D string. I'm afriad to keep turning it any further for fear of really getting things out of whack.

Is there any adjustment on the saddle that could make a difference? May be time to take it to a qualified tech who actually knows what he's doing.

[tom]

Does it only buzz open? If so then nut slot could be worn or string could be bad.
Hold the guitar in playing position.
Hold the string down at the third fret. There should be just a bit of space under the string above the first fret. If the string is touching the first fret, the nut slot may be worn D strings are usually the first to wear on trem guitars.
But, it is more likely a bad string, even if it is new. The slightest kink in a string can make it buzz in odd locations.

[GASMAN]

Well, it looks to me like that string is touching the first fret when I hold it down on the third. However---(to my untrained eye) it appears to be the case with all of the strings, yet the D is the only one that is giving me the problem. Loosening the truss rod seems to have helped on the E and A.

I'll try a new set of strings and see what happens.

I don't mean to keep dwelling on the saddle height---but would lowering those make any difference to the problem I'm having? This bridge was recently put on this T. It is a Fishman power bridge, which I wanted instead of the original. I't s a non-trem. The saddles seem to be set higher than the original bridge, which gives the guitar a slightly different feel.

Anyway-----all advice is greatly appreciated.

[tom]

If the string height is about the same at tge first fret, the string would be the first place to look. Do it to be the saddle, it would have to be way off and I would think you'd feel that. But you can easily raise the d saddle to see. Raise it a full turn so you can put it back if it doesnt help.
Has it played right since the bridge change or is that when it started?

[GASMAN]

It started after the bridge change. I wish I'd have checked it out better before leaving the store. It's about a 3 hr drive so can't just run back and ask them to take a look.

I still havn't had a chance to change the strings so will try that. May mess with the saddle also. I would think a nut problem would have been noticable before the bridge change-----so I am thinking that is not the problem.

[tom]

Did it get new strings at the bridge change?

[GASMAN]

Did it get new strings at the bridge change?

Yes. They put on a new set of elixer nanos. I just changed them again in case one was bad. Still having the buzz on open D. May have to just take it back someday and have them give it a new set-up. I assumed that was done during the bridge replacement, but I don't know. Kind of frustrating.

Open to other suggestions or ideas. Really appreciate the help.

[tom]

Why don't you give me a call on Monday and maybe I can talk you through some adjustments.