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Fixing guitar sound on a string?

On my fender strat, I have a problem with the high E string (standard tuning of course). It is in tune perfectly, as I would know from playing for a while. But The string sorta vibrates when listening to it, as well as the string is lower on the fretboard then any other strings. I don't think it is the string, considering the string wouldnt be lower than the others. It doesn't even sound right on like in tune. It's nearly impossible to use the string while playing, as it just doesn't sound right and seems off. Every other string sounds fine, and doesnt have this weird vibrating sound. Even when tuning the string using the fifth fret method, it still vibrates, even though it is in tune. I'm not sure if the place where the string comes out of the guitar is somehow lowered or out of place. As well I'v checked the screws and they are all tight and secure. I'm not sure how much you could help me, but I'm trying to get this fixed without having to pay anything. SOrta broke.

Eddie Deyoung
November 2007

Musical Instruments, Guitars

Could be the saddle needs adjusting to get the string height correct. Then check intonation. If still buzzing check nut is not worn or badly cut. Do not touch the truss rod adjuster...you'll be sorry if you do, and nobody will have any sympathy for ya.
Fender issue measurements for the distance from the face of the fret board to the underside of the string, invest in an engineers steel rule, get the info from Fender's website and do a check.
Simplest of all, take some beer to your local axe guru and let her sort it out.

Arthur
February 2008

Eddie..check very carefully along the edge of the fretboard to see if one or more frets have sprung out of their slots..a set of feeler gauges will help.If there are any high fret ends,CAREFULLY try running superglue under the lifted fret end while clamping the fret down until the glue sets.Good luck.

Chris
December 2007

could be the string touching the fretboard which creates a buzz noise on the open string.suggest raise the height of the string to the same hieght as the b string. retune the guitar and check the notation alog the fret board..hope this helps

mr fixer
December 2007

Eddie, assuming the action is not too low, causing buzzing, the effect you describe is usually the result of the guitar string not resting squarely on the top nut (by 1st fret) or at the bridge end. This results in a tiny part of the string buzzing very slightly against the top nut.
Using very light gauge strings can contribute to the problem if the string groove was cut to suit thicker strings. The string buzzes in its groove instead of creating a clear sound.
If the string is thicker than the groove it could be resting on top of the groove instead of running through it. This can cause the same effect.
If the string is running across the tuning peg side of the top nut instead of resting firmly on the fingerboard side, angle the string groove down slightly towards the tuning side using a thin-bladed serrated kitchen knife in a sawing motion. Be careful!
Sorry I can't fit a diagram in to make it easier, but I hope this helps.

Les Herridge
November 2007