Least favourite guitar maintenance task?

[Ratrod]

I enjoy working on guitars but if there's one thing that can get me annoyed it's getting rid of buzzing.

Sometimes it's hard to find out where the buzz is coming from.

[AndyR]

I enjoy working on guitars but if there's one thing that can get me annoyed it's getting rid of buzzing.

Sometimes it's hard to find out where the buzz is coming from.

Actually yeah, I'm with you on that one. I managed to reach the philosophical stage of "if it don't come out of the speakers it's not actually a problem, is it?" many years ago...

But if you're always playing in the living room at "managable" volumes (as I am now) it's mighty hard to stay philosophical sometimes!

[Johnny Mac]

I enjoy working on guitars but if there's one thing that can get me annoyed it's getting rid of buzzing.

Sometimes it's hard to find out where the buzz is coming from.

Actually yeah, I'm with you on that one. I managed to reach the philosophical stage of "if it don't come out of the speakers it's not actually a problem, is it?" many years ago...

But if you're always playing in the living room at "managable" volumes (as I am now) it's mighty hard to stay philosophical sometimes!

Agreed! Buzzing is annoying and at home practice volumes it can still be heard. Ring Jonathon as that would eat into practice/drinking in pub time for me!

[Ratrod]

After a couple of years of Bigsby abuse, the TOM on my Gretsch started to buzz and rattle.

I have invested in a rattle and buzz free bridge:





With 11's the intonation is near spot on. Say 98%

[Ratrod]

Read all about the Tru-Arc bridge in the latest may issue of Guitar and Bass Magazine.

[Philly Q]

As a design, that appeals to me a lot, but they say it's not so suitable just as a T-O-M replacement.  Maybe I should put a Bigsby on my LP Special....

(Edit:  I missed the point of what they were saying.  It's not so suitable as a T-O-M replacement on a solidbody because the bridge is fixed so you can't adjust the intonation, at all.  Whereas on a Gretsch or jazz box the whole thing is sitting on a "floating" wooden base so you do have some scope for intonation adjustment.)

[MDV]

You say it has good intonation how you've set it up, and I believe you, but it still looks to me like it just cripples a guitars musicality. Dont like. At all. In the least. Very very bad.

[Ratrod]

I wouldn't say that something that gives more body and livelyness to the tone, is a tad brighter, doesn't rattle, increases sustain and is more comfortable 'criples a guitar's musicality'.

[Johnny Mac]

Is that your Gretsch Ratty? Looks nice!  8)

[Ratrod]

Yes Johnny, that's mine. It's a Power Jet (semi hollow). TV Jones Powertron pickups, CTS/Switchcraft electronics, locking tuners, straplocks, pinned bridge base, medium jumbo frets and now with a Tru-Arc bridge. In short: a TONE MONSTER.

Here's the article. (Shameless plug)

[MDV]

But you cant intonate it.

[WezV]

he has overall intonation adjustment by moving the bridge backwards and forwards as needed.  It just cant be fine tuned - similar to the LP junior with uncompensated wraparound i did recently

doesnt intonate perfectly but its close enough for rock and roll

[Fourth Feline]

he has overall intonation adjustment by moving the bridge backwards and forwards as needed.  It just cant be fine tuned - similar to the LP junior with uncompensated wraparound i did recently

doesnt intonate perfectly but its close enough for rock and roll

I agree . With patience, and subtle shuffling of distance and angle relative to the nut - a floating bridge can end up with good enough intonation for even 'proper' music ...  :lol:     

[Philly Q]

A non-adjustable bridge seems to be OK for 99% of acoustic guitar players....

[CaptainDesslock]

believe me....with my procrastination-like tendencies, changing strings can be quite the bitch........

I can turn string-changing into an all-night event if I have to!