RobF's Fret Buzz Tester

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JasonM

Posts: 2051
Joined: Dec. 8 2005
From: Baltimore

RobF's Fret Buzz Tester

RobF mentioned this clever idea of Using a LED light to test for fret buzz in Stu's fret buzz thread. so I made one. And thought I’d make a quick video showing it in action so that Rob doesn’t have to :)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 25 2020 3:03:00

estebanana

Posts: 9351
Joined: Oct. 16 2009

RE: RobF's Fret Buzz Tester (in reply to JasonM)

That idea came from John Gilbert the California maker I never paid attention to

My buzz tester is drinking four beers and hitting my hand with pipe wrench, if I feel it, not buzzed enough

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 25 2020 8:02:12

Stu

Posts: 2521
Joined: Jan. 30 2007
From: London (the South of it), England

RE: RobF's Fret Buzz Tester (in reply to JasonM)

Nice one man!!
That's cool you made one.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 25 2020 8:49:55

RobF

Posts: 1611
Joined: Aug. 24 2017

RE: RobF's Fret Buzz Tester (in reply to estebanana)

quote:

That idea came from John Gilbert the California maker

It’s certainly not original to me, it’s just a continuity tester.

What makes it different from the hardware store variety is the use of an LED, which is fast/sensitive enough to respond to the pulsing of the string contact. A normal incandescent bulb generally won’t get enough energy to drive it.

quote:

My buzz tester is drinking four beers and hitting my hand with pipe wrench, if I feel it, not buzzed enough

My solution to buzz is to give the owner of the guitar ten beers and then tell them it doesn’t exist. Actually, I think we might have just stumbled over the cause of your thumbnail problem...

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 25 2020 14:21:56

devilhand

Posts: 1598
Joined: Oct. 15 2019

RE: RobF's Fret Buzz Tester (in reply to JasonM)

So it works only for bass strings? My guitar has fret buzz on treble strings. Looks like I need to increase the treble string height which I don't want. But I have to compromise.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 25 2020 15:19:44

JasonM

Posts: 2051
Joined: Dec. 8 2005
From: Baltimore

RE: RobF's Fret Buzz Tester (in reply to estebanana)

quote:

That idea came from John Gilbert the California maker I never paid attention to

Right, it’s a novel thought or application. I use a continuity tester regularly but to think to use it on a nylon string, wooden, old world machine is like worlds colliding. Plus, like Rob said, a regular one won’t even work.

Devil, yeah only bass strings unfortunately.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 25 2020 15:22:28

Ricardo

Posts: 14797
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: RobF's Fret Buzz Tester (in reply to JasonM)

Cool! But what do you do with the data? Cuz I assume the frets are already leveled.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 25 2020 17:30:29

kitarist

Posts: 1715
Joined: Dec. 4 2012

RE: RobF's Fret Buzz Tester (in reply to JasonM)

Hey Jason, would a digital multimeter work too? (as I already have one somewhere)

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Konstantin

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 25 2020 17:37:20

RobF

Posts: 1611
Joined: Aug. 24 2017

RE: RobF's Fret Buzz Tester (in reply to Ricardo)

quote:

But what do you do with the data? Cuz I assume the frets are already leveled.

It can be useful because sometimes the source of a buzz isn’t necessarily the adjacent fret. This can give some insight into what’s going on with the neck that might not be so apparent when just using a fret rocker. But, mainly it’s fun because we’re guitar geeks.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 25 2020 19:29:17

JasonM

Posts: 2051
Joined: Dec. 8 2005
From: Baltimore

RE: RobF's Fret Buzz Tester (in reply to kitarist)

quote:

Hey Jason, would a digital multimeter work too? (as I already have one somewhere)

A multimeter is probably not fast enough to react. Mine didn’t work. That’s why Rob uses an LED. You could probably just pick up a cheap test light on Amazon that would do the job as long as it has an LED and not a regular bulb. Or I could send you something

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 25 2020 22:42:45

kitarist

Posts: 1715
Joined: Dec. 4 2012

RE: RobF's Fret Buzz Tester (in reply to JasonM)

hehe let me try amazon first

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Konstantin

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 25 2020 23:26:56

mt1007

Posts: 162
Joined: Jan. 19 2011

RE: RobF's Fret Buzz Tester (in reply to JasonM)

This seems like a really great tool!

Once you do test and find frets that are buzzing how do you troubleshoot? For instance in vid, fret 3 is buzzing so does that mean if you want a buzz free sound you have to lower 3rd fret and those before it? Or level everything in respects to fret 3? Or could it mean not enough relief in neck?

How do you build one of these testers? Got a parts list from Amazon or another retailer?

Man it would be awesome to have, it's like it diy Pleck system for super fraction of price. You could use d strings for 3rd, 2nd and 1st strings to troubleshoot correct?

J and Rob thanks for the info!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 26 2020 16:04:20

JasonM

Posts: 2051
Joined: Dec. 8 2005
From: Baltimore

RE: RobF's Fret Buzz Tester (in reply to mt1007)

Mt,

You can probably use an LED test light like this one:
Edit* (no bueno)

Or

Edit* (no bueno)

These are designed for automotive use and might be a bit large but they should work, as long as you are able to see the light through the handle when it’s dim. What matters is that the light is an LED and not a standard incandescent type bulb that is more typical for these test light tools.

What to do when you find a fret that’s buzzing? Well I’m probably not the best person to answer that lol. I’ve only done two fret jobs. But first thing I would do is take a fret rocker and check to see if the fret is level with the adjacent frets and work from there. DIY plek machine will be the next project lol

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 27 2020 15:36:39

RobF

Posts: 1611
Joined: Aug. 24 2017

RE: RobF's Fret Buzz Tester (in reply to JasonM)

I think both of the testers you’ve linked to are drawing power from the circuit being tested, they aren’t continuity testers, per se. I just did a quick scan, though, so please forgive if I’m off the mark.

I still haven’t come across an affordable LED continuity tester. It seems the incandescent variety has been made in such a great quantity that it may take years before LED ones show up in the hardware stores.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 27 2020 18:26:07

kitarist

Posts: 1715
Joined: Dec. 4 2012

RE: RobF's Fret Buzz Tester (in reply to RobF)

quote:

I think both of the testers you’ve linked to are drawing power from the circuit being tested

You are right about that.

I think I found one though - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HSDHLYE/

It is battery-operated, with LED light, and only $11 US.

Video demo-ing it: https://d2y5sgsy8bbmb8.cloudfront.net/v2/fe7f3a04-d8d6-54b4-9039-59e7fb177837/ShortForm-Generic-480p-16-9-1409173089793-rpcbe5.mp4

Is good?

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Konstantin

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 27 2020 20:02:21

JasonM

Posts: 2051
Joined: Dec. 8 2005
From: Baltimore

RE: RobF's Fret Buzz Tester (in reply to kitarist)

Ah Duh! Your right, I’m not thinking straight they are just passive Test lights. But that blue one you found Konstantine looks like it should work. And double use for checking fuses too , lol. I have one sort of like it except it gets power from the car battery - called the PowerProbe. Comes in handy.

If it doesn’t work I can make some up for y’all

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 27 2020 22:23:46

mt1007

Posts: 162
Joined: Jan. 19 2011

RE: RobF's Fret Buzz Tester (in reply to JasonM)

RobF, Kitarist and J,

Guys thanks for the info. I'm gonna try the link Kitarist put out. If a no go, I'll hit you up J.

Hasta pronto brochachos

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 27 2020 23:37:03

estebanana

Posts: 9351
Joined: Oct. 16 2009

RE: RobF's Fret Buzz Tester (in reply to JasonM)

So no one likes my beer joke?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 28 2020 15:46:48

RobF

Posts: 1611
Joined: Aug. 24 2017

RE: RobF's Fret Buzz Tester (in reply to estebanana)

quote:

So no one likes my beer joke?

Well, I did identify it as a possible source of the problems you’re having with your thumb...

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 28 2020 15:59:59

kitarist

Posts: 1715
Joined: Dec. 4 2012

RE: RobF's Fret Buzz Tester (in reply to RobF)

quote:

ORIGINAL: RobF

quote:

So no one likes my beer joke?

Well, I did identify it as a possible source of the problems you’re having with your thumb...

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Konstantin

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 28 2020 17:42:54

estebanana

Posts: 9351
Joined: Oct. 16 2009

RE: RobF's Fret Buzz Tester (in reply to RobF)

My whole experience with the foro is meta

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 29 2020 2:52:15

ernandez R

Posts: 737
Joined: Mar. 25 2019
From: Alaska USA

RE: RobF's Fret Buzz Tester (in reply to estebanana)

quote:

ORIGINAL: estebanana

My whole experience with the foro is meta

Think Sissy Hankshaw

Oh wait, wrong thread?

HR

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should have some meat on the bones,
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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 29 2020 5:15:01

RobF

Posts: 1611
Joined: Aug. 24 2017

RE: RobF's Fret Buzz Tester (in reply to ernandez R)

quote:

Think Sissy Hankshaw

Even bananas get the blues.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 29 2020 13:04:27

bahen

Posts: 378
Joined: Mar. 4 2006

RE: RobF's Fret Buzz Tester (in reply to JasonM)

Jason, I came across this thread while searching the foro for buzz troubleshooting posts. I have almost the exact same sound coming from my D string which you have at 1m55s onwards. Did you solve that issue by any chance—and, if so, can you share the solution? I have a new Conde Crespo and the D string has what sounds like the same issue.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 17 2023 22:23:30

constructordeguitarras

Posts: 1672
Joined: Jan. 29 2012
From: Seattle, Washington, USA

RE: RobF's Fret Buzz Tester (in reply to JasonM)

Nice to hear your voice, Jason, and I think this will be a boon to deaf luthiers.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 18 2023 1:54:55

Ricardo

Posts: 14797
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: RobF's Fret Buzz Tester (in reply to JasonM)

Did everybody notice that Jason has the clip on 6 and when he strikes the D string it completes the circuit??

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 18 2023 12:06:45

JasonM

Posts: 2051
Joined: Dec. 8 2005
From: Baltimore

RE: RobF's Fret Buzz Tester (in reply to bahen)

Ricardo is correct! It does buzz there at that fret just slightly with cejilla. But I also think It was exaggerated because I was accidentally touching the lead to the D string by accident and the buzz from that didn’t come through on camera. I should have touched the fret with the lead away from the string, like down by the trebles. It doesn’t need to be close as long as it’s touching the fret.

So Bahen, no I never corrected the issue. It seemed to work itself out some with humidity or string changes, and I don’t use a cejilla much anyway. I built that guitar and I was done fiddling with it. I spent a lot of time adjusting the setup, robbing Peter to pay Paul making various adjustments. Sorry for the lack of real answer. Still think it’s a nifty device to use to get an idea of where to focus with your fret rocker.

Besides the D string, how do you like the Crespo?! Id love to own one of his creations

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 18 2023 16:02:43

JasonM

Posts: 2051
Joined: Dec. 8 2005
From: Baltimore

RE: RobF's Fret Buzz Tester (in reply to estebanana)

quote:

So no one likes my beer joke?

Better late than never?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 18 2023 16:09:37

bahen

Posts: 378
Joined: Mar. 4 2006

RE: RobF's Fret Buzz Tester (in reply to JasonM)

quote:

Besides the D string, how do you like the Crespo?! Id love to own one of his creations

Absolutely love it. A very sensitive guitar with a ton of volume. I feel it's beyond me in many ways, but it's been wonderful motivation. I do feel that the D string is a bit weird but I don't have access to my other guitar at the moment, so can't compare it in vivo. Maybe I just haven't found the right strings for it (currently low tension D'Addario's). I'd like to lower the saddle a bit to get more of a growl on the low E but worry that this might exacerbate the D string issue.

The guitar features as the first photo on Felipe's new website:

https://felipecondecrespo.com/galeria-de-fotos

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 19 2023 12:28:26

estebanana

Posts: 9351
Joined: Oct. 16 2009

RE: RobF's Fret Buzz Tester (in reply to bahen)

Next time you change strings get the proper straight little metal bar and rock the frets. You probably have a fret that’s a tiny bit too high. There are numerous videos on YouTube etc that give tutorials on how to do this.

The problem with this gadget is that frets are smarter than electricity.

So anyway,

A boomer, a GenX a millennial and a Gen Z all walk into a bar.

The Boomer and the Millennial ask the bartender if they can make White Russian, the boomer and the millennial get into an argument as to what goes into a White Russian.
Meanwhile the GenX orders a beer and sits at the end of the bar.

The GenZ proclaims the environment is toxic because the Millennial and the Boomer are fighting. GenZ demands the bartender provide a safe space for them.

The GenX orders another pint of Guinness, remaining at the end of the bar and triple tips the bartender for having to listen to the GenZ snivel and the B & M bickering.

GenZ orders 3rd Guinness, tips. B&M change drink order from White Russian to Wine, new fight begins. GenZ has locked themselves in a bathroom stall and is madly texting best friend to come pick them up.

GenX orders a Pilsner to change it up. Tips. Rolls eyes at bartender. Bartender pours GenX a free pint as they both sigh.

This is the difference between fretting and buzzing.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 20 2023 0:18:45