Mechanical buzzing when playing my 325

[JackAlan]

Hi Everyone,

I'm hoping to understand some of the things that can cause a mechanical vibration/buzz with my 2007 325 I just bought. Mainly low E & maybe some A stings. Sounds more like the brass roller buzzing when playing than anything else maybe. I read someone recommending a drop of oil on the rollers and did that. Maybe helped a bit, not cured however. Also, found the trussrod cover just a touch loose & was rattling away. Fixed that easy with a 1/4 turn of the top screw.

Also, and suggestions for string height. I'm set at 3/32" on Low E and 2/32" on High E strings. Neck it nice & flat. String gauge is Ric 12's. Is this about the lowest gauge you can put on a 3/4 scale guitar or can you have good results with 11's too?

Thanks for the help.

Jack Alan

[doctorwho]

IIRC you can use 11s, but you may have a problem when setting the intonation ... the smaller gauge strings will require that the saddles be moved, and you might wind up running out of adjustment space (i.e., the saddle or the saddle spring may be at its farthest travel along the adjustment screw).

Another possible source of rattle is the bridge height adjustment screws .. make sure that each one is snug against the bridge mounting plate. Also, check that the bridge is reasonably level, as that will help distribute the downward force of the strings evenly on the bridge and bridge mounting plate.

[deaconblues]

I've owned many a Ric that buzzed like that, rollers or not. I'm sorry to say I never found a fix for it. Adjusting the screws so they are as even as possible helps. Sometimes.

[JackAlan]

Thanks guys for the help. Will check these ASAP

Jack