Dale, here, back again. I'm a bit frustrated. As mentioned in a previous post, I am having a bit of trouble with my uke.
I started noticing a twang and sometimes buzz on my A string when I pressed the second fret. It sounds ok over the sound hole but up in the strumming area, not good. I put a straight edge on the fret board and it rocked noticeably over the third fret. The other strings don't appear to be impacted.
Well, have taken it to two different retail places and neither put a straight edge on it. The first blamed old strings or my technique. So I changed the strings, spent a few days getting the strings in tune and the buzzing did not improve.
The second place offered to raise the bridge for $10, so I agreed. The buzz did not improve and she then said it was probably that I was pulling up on the string and causing the problem. She said if it didn't happen all the time, it wasn't the instrument.
Ok, I am not an accomplished uke player, but I have played string instruments for many years, so I think I know when I have caused a buzz or twang.
So, my first question is, can a problem be intermittent and still be the instrument?
Second question is, should I just let it be and believe them that it is my playing that is the issue?
Third question: My uke is an $80 starter uke (Cordoba UP100 laminate mahogany) but sounds and plays quite nicely for my taste. (other than the above problem) Should I try to find an actual luthier to take a look or would it be more expensive to level the frets than the uke is worth?
I'm a bit discouraged.
Thanks for any advice,
Dale
I started noticing a twang and sometimes buzz on my A string when I pressed the second fret. It sounds ok over the sound hole but up in the strumming area, not good. I put a straight edge on the fret board and it rocked noticeably over the third fret. The other strings don't appear to be impacted.
Well, have taken it to two different retail places and neither put a straight edge on it. The first blamed old strings or my technique. So I changed the strings, spent a few days getting the strings in tune and the buzzing did not improve.
The second place offered to raise the bridge for $10, so I agreed. The buzz did not improve and she then said it was probably that I was pulling up on the string and causing the problem. She said if it didn't happen all the time, it wasn't the instrument.
Ok, I am not an accomplished uke player, but I have played string instruments for many years, so I think I know when I have caused a buzz or twang.
So, my first question is, can a problem be intermittent and still be the instrument?
Second question is, should I just let it be and believe them that it is my playing that is the issue?
Third question: My uke is an $80 starter uke (Cordoba UP100 laminate mahogany) but sounds and plays quite nicely for my taste. (other than the above problem) Should I try to find an actual luthier to take a look or would it be more expensive to level the frets than the uke is worth?
I'm a bit discouraged.
Thanks for any advice,
Dale