Weird Dobro Buzzzzzz

David Ward · From: White Rock, BC,Canada

I'm having problems finding a buzz in my dobro. I've tried everything on all of the check-lists that I can find on the internet. I've had 2 cones in it, three sets of bridge inserts...I really mean that I have checked everything that I can think of... strings, nut, tailpiece, coverplate, spider, screens.

One very intersting thing is that it will not buzz when the string is played open, but
only when it is barred. It does it on all of
the strings, but is most noticable on the lower notes. It I put on a capo, it will not
buzz when played open, but again only when barred.

I have double-checked my technique and tried three different bars, to no avail.

Has anyone ever ran into this problem, and if so, how did you correct it?

Thanks,

David

Gregg McKenna · From: South Windsor, Connecticut, USA

Try using a little more bar pressure and damping pressure behind the bar. If this does not work your strings are probably not level at the nut. Put a straight edge across the strings at the 1st fret and also at various intervals down the fretboard. The string tops should be level with each other all the way down the scale.

If this is your problem, deepen the nut slots slightly on the strings that are sitting higher so that they are all level across. The wound strings should set about 1/2 the depth in the groove. The plain strings should sit the full thickness of the string in the groove.

Make sure the buzzing is not in your bar technique first.

Cindy Cashdollar · From: New York, USA

Two other things to check out....are your fingers ( ring and pinky) resting on the strings behind the bar to cut out "ghost noise" ? Also, what string gauges are you using in what tuning ? If it's a G tuning, then the general gauges from lightest to heaviest string are: 16 18 26 36 46 56; some sets go a little heavier depending on personal preference. Also, check your bar out for any obvious nicks...if you are using one of the vintage bars that were made from Bakelite or similar material, then it could also be that the bar is too light in heft or weight for resonator playing, those bars were generally used for lap-steel playing.

David Ward · From: White Rock, BC,Canada

Thanks for the suggestions. Damping behind the bar was one of the first things I checked. I get the buzz on single notes, intervals and chords. I have taken the individual strings out, one-by-one to make sure that the problem wasn't caused by an improper groove. I am using J-42's and have used three differnt bars - a new Shubb, a Stevens and a bullet nose - all with the same results.

The only thing that I can come up with is the adjustment screw for the spdier/cone. I have tried all different amounts of tightness, but I am afraid to go too far and damage the cone.

I have it tuned up with the coverplate off, so I could have better access to testing the spider and cone. Since I have such a good view of the cone, is there any visible signs to it that can tell you if you are starting to tighten too much? I would like to at least get up to that point to see if it will relieve the problem.

Thanks again to everyone.

David

Terry Farmer · From: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

David, have you tried slipping a piece of felt or leather between the tailpiece and the body of the guitar?

David Ward · From: White Rock, BC,Canada

Yes Terry, I have felt under the tailpiece, but thanks for your input.

David

Michael Brebes · From: Northridge CA

My suggestion would be to get a cheap stethoscope, a kid's model would probably be fine. Take the end off so that you have the open tube. Run the tube around until you find the location of the buzz. Once you find the location of the buzz, it should be a lot easier to figure out what needs to be done to fix it.

Stephen Gambrell · From: Over there

You don't want to overtighten the screw! Just enough to hold the whole mess together, then a half to 3/4 yurn more should do it. Are all the legs of the spider touching the cone? You should not even be able to slide a piece of paper between them. Now I'm out of ideas!

Yann Obergfell · From: Gottenhouse, France - Soon in Bloomington, Indiana

David, you have mail.

Bill Blacklock · From: Powell River, British Columbia, Canada

Hi Dave,
Take a pencil and as you strum push the eraser against different parts of the cone, bridge inserts and spider legs. The legs of the spider must all be touching (file with care). Don’t over look the tuners and the sound holes. The “Dobroists Scrapbook” has some great stuff on setting up a Dobro, if you don’t have it you can borrow mine, just e-mail me your address. It took me most of a day this winter to get the buzzing out of an old tricone. I found the trick with resonator instruments is to change the strings one at a time so there is always pressure on the cone and spider. Good luck, Bill

Forum Index > Steel Without Pedals		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: