Bridge Buzz

vote4monkey

This problem started almost a month ago and it's really irritating! The little bronze wheel that the E string slides on started to vibrate every time I strung the string and its making a buzz sound (not fret buzz). The other wheels are fine, it's just the one. How can I fix this??? Oh yea, it's a Kahler bridge...

Manfred-Klose

How old is the strings on your guitar?

AlanRatcliffe

That is a common problem with roller saddles when they wear a bit (roller nuts too). Applying a little grease or Vaseline with the tip of a toothpick to the shaft it is mounted on often helps. Some recommend a 3-in-1 type oil (easier to apply), but I'm not a fan of oil on guitar parts.

vote4monkey

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: That is a common problem with roller saddles when they wear a bit (roller nuts too). Applying a little grease or Vaseline with the tip of a toothpick to the shaft it is mounted on often helps. Some recommend a 3-in-1 type oil (easier to apply), but I'm not a fan of oil on guitar parts.

The strings are basically new and I did apply some oil when I replaced the strings, I use Q20 - is it the same as 3-in-1?

AlanRatcliffe

No. Q20 is a penetrating and releasing oil, not really a lubricating one. Much thinner than 3-in-1.

vote4monkey

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: No. Q20 is a penetrating and releasing oil, not really a lubricating one. Much thinner than 3-in-1.

Thanx for your help, I'll try the Vaseline ?

Brian-Fanner

Vaseline would be the oposite extreme of Q20 which as alan said is more for releasing stuck parts, and basically washes lube out of the shaft leaving it dry. I would recomend sewing machine oil applied in tiny amounts making sure you wipe away all the excess oil and turn the roller with your finger making sure that the lube is in and the roller turning freely. This is vital for tuning stability when using the bar. Oil should be applied every two or three months and the light coating left on the parts keeps salty coastal air from causing corrosion to your precious rollers. Are you sure there is enough of a break angle over the roller as this would cause rattle too. If the shaft is worn it will need repairing or the problem will persist. Does the wheel wobble about or does it roll smoothly? What bridge is it?

vote4monkey

Brian Fanner wrote: Vaseline would be the oposite extreme of Q20 which as alan said is more for releasing stuck parts, and basically washes lube out of the shaft leaving it dry. I would recomend sewing machine oil applied in tiny amounts making sure you wipe away all the excess oil and turn the roller with your finger making sure that the lube is in and the roller turning freely. This is vital for tuning stability when using the bar. Oil should be applied every two or three months and the light coating left on the parts keeps salty coastal air from causing corrosion to your precious rollers. Are you sure there is enough of a break angle over the roller as this would cause rattle too. If the shaft is worn it will need repairing or the problem will persist. Does the wheel wobble about or does it roll smoothly? What bridge is it?

Hi, I'm using a Kahler bridge. The rollers doesn't wobble or anything, just vibrates when I strung the E (or in my case C#) string, but it's a lot better after I treated it with some 3-in-1 ???