Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Low D string buzz

Wow thanks all for the speedy replys

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I just got it from Banjo Ben’s store and this is the first time I’ve changed the strings so I’m not sure what strings were on it. I put on elixir polyweb lights so maybe others were closer to med?

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check the tension screw on the tailpiece

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I’ve heard the strings that come stock on the Twanger are pretty heavy.

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If the stock strings are heavy and you went to lighter strings, it’s possible you are hearing some buzz from the enlarged bridge and nut slots. You could look up the neck carefully and make sure there’s distance between the string and the first fret. That’s where I’d start.

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If it is a Presto style tail piece, you should check the string cover. I had that same issue and a very small felt pad placed on the underside of the string cover took care of my problem. The pad I used is probably 1/16” thick and the diameter of the eraser on a pencil.

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You looked in the right places and to top that off, you got a bunch of great suggestions so far. I have a new banjo and it developed a little rattle as well that it took me a while to locate. Mine ended up up being a little bit in the tailpiece and a more significant one in the g string slot (that was the worse culprit).

Other things to check:
Make sure the resonator mounting screws are not loose
check that the truss and coordinator hardware (like washers) can’t rattle
Check that the tailpiece mounting is not loose and that the tailpiece is not touching the ring

Good luck, you’ll find it! It took me a while (and some help on the phone with Jake and Adam) to exorcise the rattles from mine. Banjos seem to be more rattly than most instruments.

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And by the way, I took the tailpiece cover off, put it in a baggie with the two mounting screws and threw it in the case early on. It didn’t seem like it would do me any good and just looking at it, I thought it looked guilty of rattling (a false accusation on my part).

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When I play the open low D string HARD. I sometimes hear an intermittent buss/rattle. If the middle G string is fretted, it doesn’t buzz. To me, the buzz is a trade off for a better set-up and playability. The tone quality is good the entire length of the neck. I have fret clearance and everything is tight. Adam and Justin checked it out at camp in April. They swapped the bridge and helped the issue. I’ve messed around looking for the buzz and I think it’s in the bridge and/or tailpiece area.

The buzz is now an indicator for me to relax and lighten up. I catch myself “digging in” when I’m frustrated.

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I never use the covers on my Presto tailpieces. A lot of banjo players don’t I’ve noticed.

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Thanks for all the suggestions. I’ll mess with it more today with what y’all have said in mind. :+1:

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After applying what y’all said and doing some more reading I slipped a small bit of paper in the nut under the string. I’ve been playing for about an hour now and not one single buzz. My question now is does this mean I need to adjust the rod or maybe go back to heaver strings?

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As of last night that’s where mine lives as well. It just looked like a problem waiting to happen. :joy:

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Hey, how dare you guys discriminate against that innocent tailpiece cover! You must have unconscious bias against tailpiece covers. You’re probably truss-rod-cover supremacists! Banjo microaggression!

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Oh please, give me a break :roll_eyes: (no pun intended):grin:

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@Michael_Mark hey now- that’s a little off key :notes::grin:

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@Michael_Mark It might have fallen flat on these folks here.
:neutral_face:

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Well if you want to start with music puns, I have a good Liszt.

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@Mike_R I think we may have struck a “chord” :grimacing::joy:

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First thing I would check is the nut action. I know what to look for on guitar, but I’d get some guidance elsewhere for banjo.

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