Gibson Nighthawk string buzz isuues

slyd

Hi all
I'm at my wits end with a Gibson Nighthawk that I'm trying to eliminate buzz on all 3 wound strings.

After doing a full setup on this guitar, I noted pronounced buzz all over the neck, on the bass strings.

So, default fix number 1; I did a complete fret level and dress, after noting a few high fret areas.
Blown away ..... this did not cure the issue, I have never had buzz issues after doing a full fret level before!

It was fitted with 9 - 42's to start, so I tried changing the bass strings to 26, 36, 46, thinking maybe the floppy light strings were the problem. This did nothing as well.

Now, just to note, I tried major relief in the neck, less relief in the neck, raised the saddles, lowered the saddles, nothing stops this buzz.

I searched for a sympathetic buzz/rattle, stripping and analysing the bridge, stripping and checking the pickups and cavities, ensuring the height springs etc were snug, ensuring the machine heads were not the cause, checking the nut was secure, nut slot heights etc. NOTHING!

HELP
Any thoughts from our esteemed gurus would be appreciated ...

I have been doing guitar setups professionally for many many years, and this situation has me super frustrated.

Many thanks
082 7885411

V8

I'm far from a expert...

Get someone else to run through all the obvious things - occasionally, in frustration, one can overlook something. My mate was fighting with a acoustic after refret - had me run through all the obvious steps - turns out a few frets popped up after gluing. He didn't re-re-check it before stringing it up. Unlikely, but a fresh p.o.v can help
It's a set neck? Another mate was gonna buy a Cort source (335 copy w/set neck)- but it wouldn't setup anywhere near as sweetly as his ibby 335 copy. After 10mins I reckoned the nut was cut way too deep...but even if he sorted that the neck angle was never going to allow a setup near as sweet as his ibby - it was far to steep a angle. The neck also had a slight warp left to right - nothing dramatic, but enough to frustrate a low n sexy action like his ibby has.

good luck!

Jazzman105

V8 turns out a few frets popped up after gluing.
I can relate to that story. I was so convinced that it was sorted properly, I didn't bother to question it as a possibility. It required fresh eyes to identify the problem.

Another obvious one from a layman: Let the guitar rest between any adjustments of any kind - maybe for up to 24 hours depending on what you've adjusted. It also helps with perspective and fault-identifying.

guidothepimmp

Have you checked your pickup height?

Zorand

Maybe a fall away might help. If it buzzes all over the neck and you've checked everything else, that's the only thing I can think of.
https://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/fretboard-fall-away-explained/

slyd

Hi guys
Thanks for the thoughts and input.
Sorry I've taken so long to reply, but hectic goings on .......

I have done all the above suggestions .....
Dropped the pups way out the way ...
I did create a fall away/drop off with the fret level, but revisited the frets, and created even more of a drop off, to no avail.
I'll let you know if I get this right :-(

Johnny-B

In trying to locate the source of the buzz, a piece of plastic or rubber pipe can be useful. Stick one end in your ear and move the other end around the buzzing guitar to try to find the source of the buzz. It works a bit like a stethoscope.
Do you get the buzz only when fretted or also on the open strings? I had one a bit like this once. It turned out to be a loose screw on a tune-o-matic bridge.

Zorand

Johnny-B loose screw on a tune-o-matic bridge.

Good one, Johnny-B! Those loose screws can drive a person nuts. Happened to me several times, on different guitars.

slyd

Hi Johnny
I tried the rubber pipe idea, battled to hear ... but I will try it again.

Double, triple checked all screws etc already.

This Gibson is quite a different animal ..... the Nighthawk came out with a 25.5" scale length, and a 10" radius, why, I don't know, lol
Also, it is string-through, with fender style individual saddles a'la hardtail.