5420T buzz on B string - 1st fret

[RoyalSlack]

I bought my 5420T used about 6 months, ago, and got it set up by my guitar dude shortly after I got it.

For some reason, I noticing that whenever I play the F barre chord on the first fret, the B string very often doesn’t ring out properly, sometimes along with the high E string.

The strings are 11-50, per my guitar dude’s advice.

Any ideas?

 

[Texas Slim]

Buzzes in the first five-ish frets can usually be traced to a truss rod that is too tight.
Try loosening the truss rod just a bit, say 1/8th of a turn, let it sit over night. If it still buzzes, another 1/8th of a turn should fix it.

 

[RoyalSlack]

Buzzes in the first five-ish frets can usually be traced to a truss rod that is too tight.
Try loosening the truss rod just a bit, say 1/8th of a turn, let it sit over night. If it still buzzes, another 1/8th of a turn should fix it.

So, I should turn it to the left a little bit?

I haven’t messed with the truss rod on it, yet.

 

[Texas Slim]

If you're looking from the headstock end of the guitar, yes, turn to the left. It shouldn't take much, and be sure to allow a small bit of time for any adjustments to take effect.

 

[RoyalSlack]

If you're looking from the headstock end of the guitar, yes, turn to the left. It shouldn't take much, and be sure to allow a small bit of time for any adjustments to take effect.

Thank you, Sir!

 

[Texas Slim]

Did that fix the buzzing?

 

[RoyalSlack]

Did that fix the buzzing?

I haven’t had the courage to mess with the truss rod, yet.

 

[Texas Slim]

Do the open strings buzz, or just when fretted?
If the open strings buzz, it would indicate the slots in the nut are cut too deep, which is an entirely different problem.
There's no magic or voodoo with the truss rod, it's just mechanics. As long as you only go 1/8 to maybe 1/4 turn at a time, you're most unlikely to damage anything. Since you're needing to loosen the rod, unless it's frozen and un-turnable, you can't break anything.

 

[RoyalSlack]

Do the open strings buzz, or just when fretted?
If the open strings buzz, it would indicate the slots in the nut are cut too deep, which is an entirely different problem.
There's no magic or voodoo with the truss rod, it's just mechanics. As long as you only go 1/8 to maybe 1/4 turn at a time, you're most unlikely to damage anything. Since you're needing to loosen the rod, unless it's frozen and un-turnable, you can't break anything.

It’s primarily just that one string - the B string, and only when I fret it on the first fret - playing the F barre chord. It most often chokes, so the chord doesn’t fully ring out. It rings out fine when it’s open.

I haven’t ruled out that it’s just me, but it doesn’t happen when I play my other guitars.

For the truss rod, do you use an allen wrench to turn it - or something else?

 

[Texas Slim]

Yes, unless it's a Gibson or PRS; they use an actual socket wrench type tool.

 

[capnhiho]

For the truss rod, do you use an allen wrench to turn it - or something else?

Yes. 4 millimeter if I remember correctly.

 

[audept]

Welcome to the forum, @RoyalSlack !

 

[Gregor]

For the truss rod, do you use an allen wrench to turn it - or something else?

Allen wrench but be sure it's the right size. If you round over the inside of the nut with the wrong size you'll be in real trouble...not trying to scare you though because adjusting the truss rod is not that big a deal..YT can be your friend here.

 

[TConnelly]

I would say that checking the relief would be a good first step. After just having had a setup I would not recommend just diving in and cranking on the truss rod willy Nilly. The neck being too flat could be one possibility. But so could a lot of other things. First, what gauge strings do your other guitars have on them? If they are significantly lighter than the 11s he put on your guitar you may just need some time to acclimate to them. If your G5420 is an older one with a floating bridge I would agree with the string recommendation. If it’s a newer one with a “secured” bridge then you may be able to go lighter. The other thing I would recommend is checking the nut slots for optimal height. Good luck!

Cheers………………Todd

 

[RoyalSlack]

Thanks everyone.

 

[Henry]

Do you have the same problem just fretting the single note instead of the chord? If it only happens with a chord then it may be a playing technique issue.