Buzzing on A and low E strings

[varpa]

I have a second problem on my 2004 Taylor 810-CE-L7 (see post on breakage of tuning peg handles for first).  I notice some string
buzzing mostly on the A string and also on the low E for notes that are hit above the 5th fret.   Maybe I'm not holding the string tight enough, but I get buzzing even if I hold the string as tightly as I can.   The strings 1 week old Elexir nanoweb phosphor bronze light so I do not think it is the strings.  To me it seems like there is some resonance in the body of the guitar which is causing the buzzing.   Does this seem likely?  In particular the buzzing occurs for notes on the A string on frets 7-9 and on the low E from frets 12-14 which are the same range of notes, supporting the resonance theory.   However, frets 2-4 on the G (same notes as on A, E) do not seem to cause buzzing, but maybe the smaller string does not cause enough vibration to excit the resonance.   Should I take the guitar to the luthier to check out?  The guitar generally sounds excellent but this buzzing is highly annoying when I play stuff up the neck, either capo'ed or chords.

[DennisG]

Yes.  Take the guitar to a competent luthier and have him or her address both of your issues.  Tuning pegs shouldn't be breaking and strings shouldn't be buzzing if the guitar is properly set up.

[Frettingflyer]

The two things could maybe be related? I would find a Taylor repair center. I had a buzz when in drop D or playing open D on my 812ce and it turned out to be the ES board inside the guitar, 5 minute fix and good to go. I hope yours amounts to a quick adjustment.

[varpa]

Took the guitar to a luthier who examined the electronics and determined that the oil had leaked out of the coil housing (part of the electronics).   This could be clearly seen by looking inside the guitar sound hole with a mirror.   He said this was a common failure mode of the early Taylor Expression systems.   It is the coil which is rattling around and making the buzz.   This system has 2 coils in series and if one is removed there will be no signal for the preamp.   So to fix the problem I either need to kill my electronics (i.e. remove the coil) or install something new.   There is a Taylor Expression system 1.3 which is compatible with my guitar and uses 2 AA batteries for power (which is what my current system uses), costing $250 installed.   Or I could put in some other electronics, but unfortunately no other systems fit as nicely in the guitar (though may sound better).

[Earl]

That is unfortunate.  Since they are wired in series, is there a possibility of using a small jumper wire to bypass the failed one, leaving at least one of the original sensors active?  (I have no idea how accessible they are).  Otherwise you might be better served using a K&K Pure Mini or something like that, but it would not be fully compatible with the existing electronics.  Maybe others here can contribute better suggestions.....

[a1terrier]

Hi All

I have a one year old 214CE Koa DLX which has developed a buzz on the open A string, changed strings the other night but buzz still there. It doesn't happen when I fret the string and seems to stop when I press the top of the guitar. Taylor have suggested I take it to my nearest Taylor repair centre, trouble is its about a 100 mile round trip. Spoken to them and they said bring it in but I may have to leave it with them for a while (Another 100 mile round trip!!).
The Taylor dealer I bought it from isn't a repair centre and they are about a 100 mile round trip as well. The buzz isn't that bad and I only hear it when I`m playing fairly quietly on the open A string.
From some of the other posts it sounds a bit like the ES system could be the problem. Any thoughts anyone?
Thanks

[Frettingflyer]

A1,
When my ES was buzzing I could tell the buzz seemed to originate near the neck/body join, but it took a while trying to narrow it down. if you can tell it isn't from the bridge or the frets themselves you may be on to something. I am no expert but it could possibly be a loose knob too?
Good luck.

[a1terrier]

Thanks Frettingflyer.  Will def check that out. Need to find a small mirror as well so I can have a look inside to see if its anything obvious like a loose wire/knob.  I`m  sure wifey will have one somewhere!!

[Earl]

As part of your diagnosis, tune the 5th string down a whole pitch to G and fret it on the second fret.  That way you are getting the same frequency (in case it is a resonance of parts inside the guitar at A2= 110 Hz).  if the buzz is still there then it is probably not the string, but something else.  These things can be a pain to find, but are usually not too hard to fix once identified.

[a1terrier]

Thanks Earl
Tried tuning A string down and its just as bad if not worse. Going to ring my nearest Taylor repair centre and see if I can take it in for them to look
BTW all knobs ok, not loose

[a1terrier]

Hi All

Just an update on my buzz. Took guitar into PMT in Manchester today for their guitar tech to have a look. It turned out to be a loose cable holder. Fixed in ten minutes. Great customer service!!

[timfitz63]

Just an update on my buzz. Took guitar into PMT in Manchester today for their guitar tech to have a look. It turned out to be a loose cable holder. Fixed in ten minutes. Great customer service!!

Glad it got fixed without any fuss!

As frustrating as it can be, I find it interesting how these resonant guitar "buzzes" manifest themselves.  A while back, I bought (the reason for which is another story in itself) a NOS 2008 T5 with the top finished in Aztec Gold.  I had it shipped to my brother's house, and when it arrived, he examined and played it for me to make sure everything was all right.  He mentioned a similar buzzing when playing the "A" string, but couldn't localize it.  When I next got into Pittsburgh, I started playing around with it myself, and sure enough, I could make it buzz when playing the "A" string fretted on the second fret.  After a lot of investigating, I finally tracked the problem to, of all things, the battery door!  That note apparently hit the resonant frequency of the door.   I later learned from Taylor that earlier models of the T5 had inadequate foam padding on the battery door, so the door was not securely held against the 9v battery and tended to develop a rattle.  I had a bit of that type of foam padding that I used for refurbishing old 35mm camera equipment, so I applied some to the door and it neatly solved the problem!

[Frettingflyer]

Hi All

Just an update on my buzz. Took guitar into PMT in Manchester today for their guitar tech to have a look. It turned out to be a loose cable holder. Fixed in ten minutes. Great customer service!!

Like Tim I find it interesting how these things show up. My local luthier checked the battery holder right away on mine, that must be a fairly common issue.
Glad you got it identified and fixed!