Expert: The Luthier Lady! - 4/11/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hello,

I have a fairly new fender 12 string guitar.  In ignorance, I took the strings off the guitar while I stored it thinking it would protect the neck from undue stress, but now realize I may have ruined it.  I tried to restring the guitar and stopped at the first string as it now buzzes like crazy.  

I'm literally sick to my stomach thinking that I've ruined this beautiful guitar.  It played wonderfully before I took the strings off.  It's been without strings for about 6 months....is there anything I can do to fix it now?

Thanks in advance.....

Mary

ANSWER: Hi Mary,

Rest assured, taking the strings off your guitar for an extended period has not ruined it.

If I understand what you wrote, you are telling me you only strung 1 string, then tested it and heard buzzing. Is this correct?

If it is, then the guitar is buzzing because you have to put ALL the strings on to have the proper tension on the neck to pull the neck back into playing position. (no buzzing)

Also, you didn't say where you lived, but a change in seasons can cause the neck to go out of whack and make things buzz. (and that is whether you have strings on it or not)

Did you put the old strings back on or did you use new ones? If you used new ones, did you use the same gauge? If you put one new ones of a different gauge, the tension on the neck will have changed and the truss rd will need to be adjusted to the new string gauge.

What you need to do is COMPLETELY re-string it, tune it up, then play it to see if there is any buzzing. If there is, then it is likely the truss rod needs adjustment. If this is the case, you will need to take your guitar to a trusted Luthier/Repair Tech, and have him/her do the adjustment to the truss rod and check to see if you have any uneven frets.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your quick response!  I restrung the guitar with new strings (same gauge as what was removed) and there's still a buzz with a couple of the strings.  Do you thing if I let it sit a bit - keeping it tuned - that the tension of the strings will pull the neck back where it once was?  It played beautifully before I removed the strings, so I'm hesitant to have a truss rod or fret adjustment if I only need to give it a little time.....thoughts?

Thanks again - I truly appreciate your response!

Mary

Answer
Hi again Mary,

You can let it sit for awhile and see if the buzz disappears. Getting a sound hole hydrator, like a Damp-It or the round one that Kyser makes, could help. Just insert the hydrator in the guitar, as per the instructions on the device, then place the guitar in it's case and close it. Leave it in the case with the hydrator for about a week. After the week has passed, check the hydrator sponge to see if it has dried out. If it has, re-wet it and stick the guitar back in the case for another week. Keep doing this until when you check the sponge, it is just damp and not dry or wet.

If after doing the above, you still have the buzz, you will need to take it to have the truss rod adjusted and the frets looked at.

Just an FYI...

ALL guitars are constantly expanding and contracting due to changes in humidity. Acoustic's even more so because of how they are constructed. It could be playing beautifully one day and the next it could start buzzing all over the place. And it doesn't matter how new or old it is. It is just the nature of dealing with an object that is made of wood.