Annoying guitar noise I can't get rid of..

[bobobo]

Please help!

My electric guitar is making weird noises.

 

Whenever I fret the 10th fret on the A string and pick it, the G string on my guitar slightly vibrates as well and makes annoying background noise (almost as if I picked the 10th fret A string then lightly picked the G string simultaneously) when going through distortion. I've noticed this happens in other areas on the fretboard too with different strings slightly vibrating other strings not adjacent to it, but the 10th fret A string has been the worst and not even my noise gate is taking the sound away.

 

I have no clue what could be causing this problem. I've also noticed that my intonation is off slightly, when i move up the fret board the notes get flatter.

 

Can anyone help me with this problem!? It has frustrated me to no end!

[revolead]

Well, I'll let the more technical guys fill you in on details. But it sounds to me like you need a fret job, an intonation adjustment, and a neck rebalancing. Usually buzzing anywhere is because of one of those problems.

 

What kind of guitar is it?

[bobobo]

Its a Jackson dxmgt

[bobobo]

Its a Jackson dxmgt dinky

[revolead]

Oh, well, I have a Jackson DX10D (in my avatar) so I know all about the body style. Likely, since I had a similar problem, you just need to dress your frets. You can do it yourself, but its time consuming and difficult to do a good job. However, the shop will charge about 120 bucks, you might be better off trying it on your own.

 

I dressed my own frets and it turned out really nice. Basically you just need a file, some very fine sandpaper, some masking tape, and a damp cloth. I do suggest reading about the work before you try it yourself. Dan Erlwine's guitar repair book is great and available at most book stores.

 

I don't know why, but Korean-made Jacksons all seem to have that problem. Probably poor quality control, but after a little TLC, you can turn 'em into great guitars. I put in 150 dollars of work on mine and now its like an $800 instrument easily.

[Guitar55]

The guys in my band keep telling me there is an annoying guitar noise they can't get rid of..

[bobobo]

lol, I don't know if I have the skill or the patience to try something like that. I've fixed the inotation by adjusting the saddle, tried raising the action, but still no luck. Would a truss rod adjustment do anything?

If not I guess i'll take it to a shop and see if they will dress the frets...

[bobobo]

just also noticed that its not only the 10th fret, but anywhere on the A string and the D string I discovered, where there is a corresponding open note, it will vibrate it also

[Rock Soldier]

I'd say check the truss rod first. Does your Jackson have a thin maple neck? My Jackson is made in Japan and has a sliver thin neck and maple is finickey especially with humidity changes. This time of year with the humidity being high, I usually need to add relief to my necks. They rattle like crazy if that is the case. I'd try that before touching the frets.

[revolead]

I still say it's the frets. Why? Because when the truss rod or nut is messed up, the guitar buzzes across the whole string or across a whole interval (ex: 5-12 frets on the D string). When it's the frets, it buzzes in random places. Either way, take it to a shop, don't go fixing what ain't broke. Ususally, you can find a luthier that will give you a free assessment.

[Bluesape]

Originally posted by Guitar55:

The guys in my band keep telling me there is an annoying guitar noise they can't get rid of..

HA!

[Rock Soldier]

Originally posted by revolead:

I still say it's the frets. Why? Because when the truss rod or nut is messed up, the guitar buzzes across the whole string or across a whole interval (ex: 5-12 frets on the D string). When it's the frets, it buzzes in random places. Either way, take it to a shop, don't go fixing what ain't broke. Ususally, you can find a luthier that will give you a free assessment.

And could very well be the frets but adjust and setup all the reversable things before you go filing on any frets. Yup, a luthier is a good idea.

[Guitarzan]

if the open G is ringing after you play a G note (10th fret A string) it is likely it is sympathetic vibration. the astring g note is causing the G string to ring.

you need to mute the string if you don't want it to ring.

i assume you are playing loudly?

maybe i am wrong but i believe it is just a matter of technique.

[Hardtail]

Originally posted by guitarzan:

you need to mute the string if you don't want it to ring.

i assume you are playing loudly?

maybe i am wrong but i believe it is just a matter of technique.

I agree. The first thing I thought of when reading this post was muting technique.

[Guitarzan]

when i first seen this post about an annoying guitar noise that won't go away, i thought my wife had posted.

hey! 7777 posts for me!

[mdrs]

Check your muting technique (palm of your picking hand, "non fretting fingers on your fretboard hand, etc.). Also, how's your picking? Tight, or "sloppy"?? Are you accidently hitting the adjacent string?

 

There are thousands of aspects to getting the proper set up on your guitar. You should try to find someone who knows how to do it that lives near you, if you can. Then start with doing some of the simple things yourself.....intonation, saddle height adjustment, etc.. Truss rod adjusts, fret "dressing", saddle height, intonation.....they are all connected. Changing one, may change the other adjustments you must make. If you are not sure, let someone who knows what they are doing set it up for you. Do try to learn yourself. Dan Erlwine's book, and a lot of information (browse the site..they have a lot of free info as well) about guitar set up is available at Stewart MacDonald's web site;

 

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Video,_DVD,_software.html

 

Don