My newly acquired ZB Custom D10 has roller-nut buzz... Help!

Questar Welsh · From: New York, USA

Hello all
I am new to the pedal steel world and in need of some mechanical help. I bought a ZB Custom D10 8/4 that seems to be in great condition and sounds great. I've tuned both necks, and all pedal and knee bends. My problem is that a few of the strings buzz or rattle at the nut rollers when the string is picked. The buzz also seems to mute the string and dull it's tone. If I touch the side of the roller and hold it still, the sound is fine. It seems that there is more "play" in the problematic rollers than in the others (almost like it needs a new bearing). My question... How do I solve this problem? Are there replacement parts for this guitar? Any help would be appreciated. Feel free to email me at Info@realrecording.com

Thanks, and to all you pedal steel players out there..... My hat is off to you. I never realized how intricate the playing style was. It's like playing guitar, dancing and driving a car at the same time . wow, what an instrument. Thank God we don't have to stand up to play it!

Questar

Ken Metcalf · From: San Antonio Texas USA

It seems like both mine have 6 or 7 string buzz.
The cure is to play it really loud through a good amp preferably in a noisy bar and it will go away when you start concentrating on playing.
Believe me at that point you will have bigger fish to fry.

Ken
_________________
MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes

Bob Tuttle · From: Republic, MO 65738

Try putting a drop of oil between each roller.

Ben Elder · From: La Crescenta, California, USA

[Bob T covered it.]

Andy Sandoval · From: Bakersfield, California, USA

I've also heard of putting a little more angle on the problem string from the roller to the tuner post to keep it from buzzing.

B. Greg Jones · From: Middleport, Ohio USA

Yep, add some oil on the axle. I have new old stock axles and nut rollers if you need them or yours are worn too badly. Whats the serial number on that guitar???

Greg

Questar Welsh · From: New York, USA

Thanks everyone.
I'll try the oil method and see if that remedies the problem. (thanks bob and greg) Uhhh, Should I use 10w-40, wesson, or baby oil?

And Greg, I"ll get in touch if the oil doesn't do it and pick up some parts from you. Which part would I replace, the axle or rollers? Where is that serial number located?

Andy, how would I add more angle? (gulp!)

Thanks again. I'll let you know what happens with the oil, and the SN.

Questar

Oh, and Ken, Thanks! I'm still trying to catch the fish to fry in the pan!!

Henry Nagle · From: Santa Rosa, California

I use a brand called "mouse oil". It's a petroleum oil, I think, and it has a handy telescoping spout. I like it very much.

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

Questar, if you prefer, on the new ZB's that I build I have replaced the old design nut roller comb with a new modified one that accepts the new modern pin axle with small modern nut rollers. The new design nut roller comb looks exactly as original. I did this in order to eliminate the exact problem that you are describing. It also improves the string separation qualities on the guitar. The new nut roller comb (polished), pin axle, and ten nut rollers are $39.95 a set plus $5.00 postage. Please email me if you are interested.

Andy Sandoval · From: Bakersfield, California, USA

Questar, when you put a new string on it just add a few more windings on the tuner post so that the string ends up closer to the tuning key, thus increasing the angle instead of being in a straight line from nut roller to tuner post. This will cause the loose roller to tighten up enough to hopefully stop the buzz. Then put just a drop of oil on it, I like to use 3 in 1 with the long skinny tube spout.

mike nolan · From: Forest Hills, NY USA

I had a similar problem with a ZB I owned... I never did get it to go away completely, but fairly heavy oil helped a lot. For the 40 bucks, I would go with Kevin's new part.

Save the old one for resale time... if the vintage PSG market gets like the 6 string vintage market.

David Nugent · From: Gum Spring, Va.

Try loosening the problem strings and turning the rollers a 1/4 or 1/2 turn (so a different area of the roller is in contact with the string) and retune. This may solve the problem. Also, this is a good practice to follow whenever you change strings to minimize wearing grooves in the rollers.

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

Questar Welsh · From: New York, USA

Thanks for all the great advise. I think i'll try the down and dirty "oil change" and add the windings. If that doesn't work... i'll get in touch with kevin for the new nut and hold onto the old one as recommended.

I'll let you know what happens. and thanks again.

Jacek Jakubek · From: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

I had the same problem on string 6 with my guitar.

The buzzing stopped when I wound the string in the opposite direction on the tuning peg so the string comes out from underneath the tuning peg towards the nut instead of from the top of the peg. This little extra angle was enough to stop the buzzing.

Try it, if your strings are not put on like this already. If they are, you'll have to figure out another way.

I wind all the string like this now just to keep them all the same.

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