agardner00 - Posted - 09/07/2009:  08:29:30

OK, now that I am the proud owner of a PBS, I have a couple of questions for y'all:

1) I have a very slight buzz when playing the B (2nd) string. I checked out a few posts on this topic and have adjusted the spider. Before adjustment, both the B and D (1 and 2) strings were buzzing; now just the B. I noticed while adjusting the spider that it is impossible to get it perfectly aligned, i.e., when the top of the spider is exactly at 12 o'clock, the bottom is just shy of 6. Is it possible that the spider has slipped a bit off center?

2) Any suggestions on strings? The reso came with Beard .017's, which sounded great. Unfortunately, I'm one of those people whose body chemistry eats strings. On my acoustic, I've been very happy with Elixir Phosphor Bronze Nanowebs, but Elixir only makes reso strings in polyweb 80/20 .016's.

3) What do I need to know about care and maintenance of a reso? Do I need to worry about humidity?

Thanks,

Alex

Trapper - Posted - 09/07/2009:  08:47:35

I def recommend obtaining a copy of Beards fine DVD on reso maintenance and setup.

"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid!"
John Wayne, American

Mbradford6288 - Posted - 09/07/2009:  12:00:09

The buzz could be anything from an old or slightly dented string to an improperly cut nut or saddle slot. Try replacing the string first.

You'll probably have no problem with the elixir 16s. The difference between a 16 and a 17 at that tension for slide is pretty minimal, and worst case scenario you absolutely hate them and you're out 15 bucks.

YMMV
Matt

Greg Booth - Posted - 09/07/2009:  12:38:37

I prefer a .016 on the 1st string, and I'm in good company.......Jerry Douglas and Mike Auldridge both use a .016 1st. Like Jerry says, more ring, less thud.

Greg Booth
myspace.com/akslider

DNickell - Posted - 09/08/2009:  06:31:13

My PBS arrived with the third string slot in the nut needing to be smoothed out. The string that came on it broke right away, the replacement string broke while bringing it up to tune the first time. I used the broken string like a file to smooth out the slot and have had no problem since.

Rattles and buzzes seem to be endemic to resonators, and locating the source can be a pain. On my old round neck I had a nasty rattle/buzz develop suddenly and finally realized it was the button on my long sleeve shirt vibrating on the cover plate. I was embarrased to be around myself for awhile.

There is just a lot of vibration going on all through a resonator guitar so those extra sounds can come from a lot of sources.

Bob Brozeman tells a story about how Americans try to make our instruments sound "clean" but in Africa, South America, Jaimaca and such places they will nail bottle caps to the guitars or put metal clips on the strings to make them buzz and rattle.

I do like mine clean.

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