Comments on: My visit to Oscar Schmidt http://ukeeku.com/2009/06/21/my-visit-to-oscar-schmidt/ Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:19:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Dag http://ukeeku.com/2009/06/21/my-visit-to-oscar-schmidt/#comment-485 Dag Mon, 03 May 2010 14:49:43 +0000 http://ukeeku.com/?p=15#comment-485 Buzzing strings can come from any number of sources, including finger positioning on the frets. However, here is a quick list of items I would check: 1) Swap the strings for a set of either Aquila or Martin (I am not a fan of D'Addario). If strings are chipped, nicked or kinked, this can lead send bad vibrations that cause buzzing. 2) Check the alignment of the nut (at the top of the fret board). If it is not aligned properly or if the grooves are not straight, this could be the cause. 3) Check the bridge (the strip of plastic that raises the strings at the tie off). If it is too low, then the strings are not being held high enough from the fret board leading to, voila!, buzzing. 4) Find a straight edge (one that has been trued), and hold it between the strings along the length of the fret board. This is to check to see if there are any frets higher than others. This can also detect if the neck itself is not true. In the cases of bad nuts, bridges or high frets, you can affect quick repairs yourself (if you are careful). Nuts and bridges can be replaced. High frets can be sanded down with emery cloth. If the neck is not true or twisted in some other way, then send the instrument to Jack White of The White Stripes because there is little to nothing you can do to fix the issue (Jack likes warped instruments). I hopes this helps you address the buzzing issue. Buzzing strings can come from any number of sources, including finger positioning on the frets.

However, here is a quick list of items I would check:

1) Swap the strings for a set of either Aquila or Martin (I am not a fan of D’Addario). If strings are chipped, nicked or kinked, this can lead send bad vibrations that cause buzzing.
2) Check the alignment of the nut (at the top of the fret board). If it is not aligned properly or if the grooves are not straight, this could be the cause.
3) Check the bridge (the strip of plastic that raises the strings at the tie off). If it is too low, then the strings are not being held high enough from the fret board leading to, voila!, buzzing.
4) Find a straight edge (one that has been trued), and hold it between the strings along the length of the fret board. This is to check to see if there are any frets higher than others. This can also detect if the neck itself is not true.

In the cases of bad nuts, bridges or high frets, you can affect quick repairs yourself (if you are careful). Nuts and bridges can be replaced. High frets can be sanded down with emery cloth. If the neck is not true or twisted in some other way, then send the instrument to Jack White of The White Stripes because there is little to nothing you can do to fix the issue (Jack likes warped instruments).

I hopes this helps you address the buzzing issue.

]]> By: Martian http://ukeeku.com/2009/06/21/my-visit-to-oscar-schmidt/#comment-414 Martian Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:51:54 +0000 http://ukeeku.com/?p=15#comment-414 There is a youtube video with some hipster playing a cover of Neutral Milk Hotel's "Holland ,1945" with an OU225swk and it too had a slight buzz on the C. I'm trying to find a link so you can see for yourself but so far my searching is fruitless. I'm sure it's not a flaw in the design though. Also, a trip to Oscar Schmidt's wonderful factory has always been an offshoot dream of mine, thanks for letting me partially live it. :3 There is a youtube video with some hipster playing a cover of Neutral Milk Hotel’s “Holland ,1945″ with an OU225swk and it too had a slight buzz on the C. I’m trying to find a link so you can see for yourself but so far my searching is fruitless. I’m sure it’s not a flaw in the design though. Also, a trip to Oscar Schmidt’s wonderful factory has always been an offshoot dream of mine, thanks for letting me partially live it. :3

]]> By: Tim http://ukeeku.com/2009/06/21/my-visit-to-oscar-schmidt/#comment-367 Tim Tue, 20 Apr 2010 03:26:59 +0000 http://ukeeku.com/?p=15#comment-367 I am about to post on this. I do not review an instrument right when I get it. It can take upto 2 months before it will play at its best. Now if it is buzzing or whatever, take it back or contact OS about it.. They are really cool with getting it right. I am about to post on this. I do not review an instrument right when I get it. It can take upto 2 months before it will play at its best. Now if it is buzzing or whatever, take it back or contact OS about it.. They are really cool with getting it right.

]]> By: Romain http://ukeeku.com/2009/06/21/my-visit-to-oscar-schmidt/#comment-363 Romain Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:25:31 +0000 http://ukeeku.com/?p=15#comment-363 By the way I have got some hilo strings hight tension doe the sound should improve? By the way I have got some hilo strings hight tension doe the sound should improve?

]]> By: Romain http://ukeeku.com/2009/06/21/my-visit-to-oscar-schmidt/#comment-362 Romain Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:21:53 +0000 http://ukeeku.com/?p=15#comment-362 I have just got an OS OU225SWK wish is a polished finish. The sound is pretty bad but not sure if it's due of the strings. The C cord does a buzz sound which is pretty ugly. Does anyone know if it can come from the strings? Any help? Thanks I have just got an OS OU225SWK wish is a polished finish. The sound is pretty bad but not sure if it’s due of the strings. The C cord does a buzz sound which is pretty ugly. Does anyone know if it can come from the strings? Any help? Thanks

]]> By: Sharon http://ukeeku.com/2009/06/21/my-visit-to-oscar-schmidt/#comment-234 Sharon Wed, 07 Apr 2010 04:27:54 +0000 http://ukeeku.com/?p=15#comment-234 I think Oscar Schmidt makes a tenor uke cutaway with electronics - but I don't know the number on it - Heard it played at an event and sounded great. Do you know which one it is? I think Oscar Schmidt makes a tenor uke cutaway with electronics – but I don’t know the number on it – Heard it played at an event and sounded great. Do you know which one it is?

]]> By: Oscar Schmidt Visit http://ukeeku.com/2009/06/21/my-visit-to-oscar-schmidt/#comment-3 Oscar Schmidt Visit Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:23:08 +0000 http://ukeeku.com/?p=15#comment-3 [...] I just finished reading Tim Szerlong’s article about his trip to the U.S. Music Corp factory in Illinois. This factory is a parent company to Washburn and Oscar Schmidt among others. Go check out the article and Tim’s new site at Ukeeku. [...] [...] I just finished reading Tim Szerlong’s article about his trip to the U.S. Music Corp factory in Illinois. This factory is a parent company to Washburn and Oscar Schmidt among others. Go check out the article and Tim’s new site at Ukeeku. [...]

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