This seems to be fairly common from the number of posts that come up when searching BH!
I have a Pisgah Dobson Rambler. The 3rd string has buzzed when fretted in the first position, frets 2-4, from the beginning, but I promptly increased the bridge height 1/16th of an inch and it /mostly/ went away. I still have to really focus on finger placement (immediatley behind fret) and adequate pressure for no string buzz. I don't get the same behavior from the 2nd or 4th strings -- just the 3rd string.
From one of the many BH posts on this I found the following excerpt on neck relief. Notably, I have a gap between 1 and 2 business cards, wherein a single business card slips under the 3rd string and the 7th fret without any effect but a pair of business cards moves the 3rd string away from the fretbboard when slipped under the 3rd string. Again, I don't hear the same buzzing with the thicker, wound 4th string. So what is going on here?
Should it matter, my last fret is the 17th fret due to the scoop. I don't know if this changes what the gap should be at the 7th fret
"The slight convex bow purposefully added to the neck side profile is known as neck relief, and is best checked by applying a capo at the first fret, holding a string down at the last fret, and visually evaluating the gap between the bottom of the string and the top of the seventh fret. This is the area where the bow will naturally be at its greatest, and the gap should be no more than .015”. That’s about the thickness of two business cards. An extra piece of string of the appropriate gauge such as the third string can also be used as a gauge for adjusting this gap. A slight gap here is really all that’s needed, so it’s not necessary to get too anal over the exact gap."
web.archive.org/web/20160328210907/bluestemstrings.com/pageBanjoC...ips2.html
How's your head tension? Even if it's quite tight, your bridge is still going to sag a few thousandths in the middle.
What are your individual string gauges? There are some popular sets which IMO have a 3rd string that's way too light in proportion to the others.
Have you tried checking the problem frets with a straight edge "fret rocker"? Could just need a fret tapped back into place, or a bit of spot leveling and recrowning.
Edited by - Dan Gellert on 12/13/2024 17:11:55
Most probably Dan's last sentence is the road to resolution.
quote:
Originally posted by Dan GellertHow's your head tension? Even if it's quite tight, your bridge is still going to sag a few thousandths in the middle.
What are your individual string gauges? There are some popular sets which IMO have a 3rd string that's way too light in proportion to the others.Have you tried checking the problem frets with a straight edge "fret rocker"? Could just need a fret tapped back into place, or a bit of spot leveling and recrowning.
Thanks for the advice.
I happen to have a Drum Dial, and the head measures as low as 84 and as high as 91. Evening out the tension seems to be a good place to start.
String gauge is 0.016, as below. It's a medium D'Addario set. If tensioning the head doesn't work, I will look into changing the strings to see if that helps.
| Item # | Note | Diameter | Tension |
|---|---|---|---|
| LE010 | D4 | 0.010 in | 13.6 lbs |
| LE012 | B3 | 0.012 | 13.9 |
| LE016 | G3 | 0.016 | 15.6 |
| LE023W | D3 | 0.023 | 15.5 |
| LE010 | G4 | 0.010 | 13.6 |
If none of the foregoing helps, I suppose I will need to find a shop for some fretwork!
Seems like a good, balanced set. Actually it's a bit heavy in the middle, which is how I like it. That big ole 3rd string is not going to be causing any problems by being too loose.
I don't know where you are, but most places it's hard finding a luthier who knows banjos. The good news is that as long as you're just dealing with frets, that's not too important. They work just the same on a Stratocaster as they do on your Pisgah.
Fortunately, I was able to get an appointment at Gryphon Stringed Instruments prior to my recent trip through the San Francisco Bay Area. After discussing the issue with the repair person (Brian Michael), he created a work order to loosen the truss rod. I'm not sure if there was anything more done, but my banjo plays so much better!
