81 posts
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Post by guitartrojan on Mar 19, 2018 0:07:20 GMT
Hello all,
I’ll get right to it. A few weeks ago I noticed a strange sound from my TE-52’s G and B string. It sounded like a sitar. After reading up on different causes I finally decided to take it to my local shop for a diagnosis. After two people examined it the conclusion was that the nut needed replacement. I politely heard their quote for the job but decided it best and cheapest to return it to Thomann for repair.
I have to admit I thought it strange that there would be a problem with the nut at this point since I’ve had it since May or June 2017. But I suppose anything can happen.
Also, does anyone else have experience with Thomann on this? Customer service isn’t my concern. I’m more concerned about their approach. If you’ve seen my TE-52 you know it’s a beautiful one piece body, I’d rather wait out a repair than a replacement.
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81 posts
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Post by guitartrojan on Mar 19, 2018 10:02:23 GMT
Mine seemed fine fretting it anywhere, but sitar-buzzed when it was open.
Yeah, I wanted the TE-52 because it would be my first tele and I wanted one with the vintage-type parts.
I definitely believe you when you say it's difficult to isolate the problem. That's why I let someone who knows better do it. They tried everything and concluded it was the nut. I never thought that the saddle could be crooked, but I did look at the way the string laid over it and it seemed in line and seated in the slot.
I just got an email back from Thomann. They want a video demonstrating the problem, that's totally fair and good idea. If anyone is interested I'll keep you up to date with the process.
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Post by DerAlex on Mar 19, 2018 11:10:35 GMT
Sure, please upload the video here as well.
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81 posts
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Post by guitartrojan on Mar 19, 2018 12:58:01 GMT
The people I showed it to seemed pretty darn sure it was the nut, but I'll try your method if just to learn something.
I'll upload the video as soon as I can make it.
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Post by oghkhood on Mar 19, 2018 19:11:40 GMT
If this buzz was not there and then have appeared, it is not the nut fault. You should check the frets, as frets popping up is known issue on HB guitars.
Do not panick however, as it is quite easy to fix by just tapping gently on the buzzing frets with a hammer. A plastic hammerhead would be better, but you can just put a plastic or hard wood piece between the hammer and the fret
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19 posts
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Post by fretnoise on Mar 19, 2018 20:57:04 GMT
I'd go with the shop. Might as well get a nut upgrade doing that. Please follow up with what fixed it.
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Post by intenselycalm on Mar 19, 2018 21:33:59 GMT
... TE-52’s G and B string. It sounded like a sitar. After reading up on different causes I finally decided to take it to my local shop for a diagnosis. ..... I politely heard their quote for the job but decided it best and cheapest to return it to Thomann for repair... GuitarTrojan, Sorry to hear about the sitar sounds. A few questions just out of curiosity: - What is the current climate like where you live. Is it cold and dry, or warm and dry, warm and humid? - Any correlation between a change in weather and the "sitar" sound? - Did you change strings shortly before the sound became noticeable? - if so, did you use the same gauge, or go up, or down? - How much did your local shop quote for the repair, and what was included in the repair? As an example: new nut installation and strings, or something more extensive. Just curious what they might be charging and what they want to do. I hope the issue you are facing is something simple.
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DefJef
THBC Moderator
Due to musical differences I've decided I can't work with myself any more.
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Post by DefJef on Mar 19, 2018 22:38:59 GMT
... TE-52’s G and B string. It sounded like a sitar. After reading up on different causes I finally decided to take it to my local shop for a diagnosis. ..... I politely heard their quote for the job but decided it best and cheapest to return it to Thomann for repair... GuitarTrojan, Sorry to hear about the sitar sounds. A few questions just out of curiosity: - What is the current climate like where you live. Is it cold and dry, or warm and dry, warm and humid? - Any correlation between a change in weather and the "sitar" sound? - Did you change strings shortly before the sound became noticeable? - if so, did you use the same gauge, or go up, or down? - How much did your local shop quote for the repair, and what was included in the repair? As an example: new nut installation and strings, or something more extensive. Just curious what they might be charging and what they want to do. I hope the issue you are facing is something simple. Ooh, could be that. There's a lot of sitar sound in India and they're warm and humid. I don't think it can be the frets as the buzz is happening on open strings.
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Post by muzz on Mar 19, 2018 23:35:07 GMT
I think it might be the tuners... You can check this by picking the open strings (one at a time) whilst holding the tuning key...
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81 posts
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Post by guitartrojan on Mar 20, 2018 1:25:16 GMT
Okay, this is for IntenselyCalm:
I’m American living near the mountains in Japan. I noticed the problem in the last days of the worst part of winter. Right before the weather starts to get gradually warmer.
I haven’t changed strings before it happened. I did change the B string to check it afterward, but the buzz continued. I didn’t change gauge. I actually prefer Dunlop strings (Shock! Uproar!) as they give me a little darker/warmer tone.
The local shop quoted 13,200yen, $124 at this moment. That would cover changing the nut and strings. It was examined by one person independently, then passed to another.
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Post by oghkhood on Mar 20, 2018 5:45:05 GMT
124$ to change a nut More than 60$ would be a crook ! Once more : there is NO REASON for the nut to be the problem, given how it appeared. Check the frets anyway, first. As I just can't understand how a nut can get lower by itself, in the middle.
Then if you find nothing, you can consider changing the nut. But it is easy to do by yourself, and you can get a spare from Thomann for less than 124$
www.thomannmusic.com/harley_benton_parts_st_style_nut_white.htm
1.96$ + shipping .... this part should also fit on TE necks ... check you neck width
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DefJef
THBC Moderator
Due to musical differences I've decided I can't work with myself any more.
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Post by DefJef on Mar 20, 2018 9:26:10 GMT
If it is the nut it doesn't even need changing. It needs filing. Those slots are just whacked in with no thought to setup. I never play a new guitar without getting the slots to my liking anyway. They're sticking on my new Revelation. They'll get the smoothing treatment. It is even worth checking that no screws or metal parts are loose on the tuners. I've ended up going round the guitar knocking with my knuckle to listen for rattles and have even found things inside the guitar are rattling when certain frequencies hit them. It's a nightmare locating these things because sometimes they go away and you think it's because of something you've done but it was a actually a by-product of something you did and it creeps back again and laughs at you. I don't envy your task guitartrojan.
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