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Anyone know of a luthier in the Altanta area that would be willing to give me some advice?

I recently finished my guitar, my interpretation of a deep bodied L-00 model, and at first I was really excited. A couple players played it and liked it, and I thought I liked it. However, I wasn't happy with the neck(too thick), so I carved it down more, refinished it, and tried to tune in the saddle compensation. Now I can't get this obnoxious sitar sounding twang out of my D string. I'm thinking I still have too much surface contact of the D string on the saddle, and last night tried to remove some and round it a little more, but this didn't help. The sound seems to increase with a harder attack on the string, but decrease when the attack is soft. The string doesn't make the sound if fretted.

The saddle seems to be compensated correctly other than this. The tuner says the strings are still in tune down to the 12th fret, and sounds good when fretted.

I wish I had someone who I knew knew what they were doing that could take a look.


Thanks,

Sean

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change isn't synonymous with improvement
instagram.com/bucketguitars/

Hi-

Google "Kent Everett". He is a great guy and has built guitars for 30+ years. He spent a long time in a setup/repair business. Give him a call or email him. He should be able to help you.

Good luck-

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John Lewis
Wannabe builder owned by 2 crazy dachshunds

I suspect you may have the nut slot too low, or a high 1st fret. I'm ~200 miles North of Atlanta, but I'd be glad to look at it if you want to make a road trip.

Disclaimer: I'm not claiming to be an expert, but I'd be glad to look at it.

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

I'm in Athens for the next few months. I'm hardly in the same league as Kent Everett, but would be happy to try and look at it with you if we can find the time. My shop is in TX, but I did pack up some road tools in order to finish a batch of guitars once the finish cures, so I've got all my setup tools with me.

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Wes McMillian
Santo, TX
http://www.wesmcmillian.com

Thanks for the info. I've emailed him, hopefully I can meet him. He makes some beautiful guitars.

Sean

_________________
change isn't synonymous with improvement
instagram.com/bucketguitars/

Thanks for replying,

I've checked the string height of the D string again, and all of them have sufficient height. I checked my neck relief and it's good. I've been comparing it to my other factory made guitars, and I think I still have too much saddle surface for the string to be pulled over. The saddle is almost flat at the point the string is pulled over it, and I think that might be the problem. One of the problems I created for myself was making my saddle slot too close to the string holes, and it was very tight trying to shape my saddle. I'm hoping that if I try shaping it one more time, this will be the 4th string I have to replace, it will work. Everytime I do this I have to replace the string cause of the string being kinked at the peghead end. We'll see. Thanks again for the reply, and maybe someday I could get up there to visit. Right now my wife is about to have my 3rd daughter, and I can't. Your clips of your guitars on your website sound great!

Sean

_________________
change isn't synonymous with improvement
instagram.com/bucketguitars/

Thanks for the reply and offer. I'm going to try shaping my saddle at that point of the D string, and listen to what happens. RIght now I can't go anywhere cause my wife is about to have our baby. Maybe I could make it up there before you leave. Take care.

Sean

_________________
change isn't synonymous with improvement
instagram.com/bucketguitars/

That's why I don't think it's a saddle problem, but instead a problem with the nut. It could be something else buzzing. Does the "A" string buzz when fretted at the 5th fret? (same note)

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

Sounds to me like a nut job problem. Nothing major.

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"Preoccupation with an effect gives it power and enhances the error"
from "Your Owner's Manual" by Burt Hotchkiss.