Ibanez AFJ95 problem

**p4chuss2** · 02-23-2016, 03:39 PM

Hi all

Did somebody had this buzz issue with the Ibanez AFJ95? It is brand new and is doing this metal noise... Thomann offered me to replace it or return it. I would prefer a replacement if this does not happen with the replace or is not a normal thing.

Can you advice?

Regards
PS

**balthazar** · 02-23-2016, 04:12 PM

Hi p4chuss2,

Try to move the pickups, maybe a buzz between a pickup and a ring.
On my AG95, there was a rattle between the pickguard and the rear ring.

**p4chuss2** · 02-23-2016, 04:42 PM

Hi,

Many thanks for the answer!

Already moved them and touched everywhere to try to figure out what is rattling and resonating but could not find it out yet.

What do you mean with the rear ring?

PD: BTW I saw your post and image but I am not sure what the "ring" is.

Kind regards
PS

**hans halmackenreuter** · 02-23-2016, 04:51 PM

I have an Ibanez afj85 myself with the same problem. I solved it by changing the PU-springs with silicon tubes.

**balthazar** · 02-23-2016, 04:53 PM

The ring is the plastic part (black on your guitar) between the pickup and the top of the guitar.

**p4chuss2** · 02-23-2016, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by balthazar

The ring is the plastic part (black on your guitar) between the pickup and the top of the guitar.

Thanks! How did you detected that this was the problem on your guitar ?

**p4chuss2** · 02-23-2016, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by hans halmackenreuter

I have an Ibanez afj85 myself with the same problem. I solved it by changing the PU-springs with silicon tubes.

Thanks! Can I also ask you how you realized that this was causing the rattling on your guitar?

**balthazar** · 02-23-2016, 05:31 PM

I was trying to block all the suspect parts with my left hand while playing.

**p4chuss2** · 02-23-2016, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by balthazar

I was trying to block all the suspect parts with my left hand while playing.

Thanks

**ColMc** · 02-23-2016, 05:43 PM

Hallelujah! I'm not going nuts!
This problem is killing the lurve I had for this guitar.

I have a SS300 Ibby and have had the same problem for months.
When you play a chord, it sounds like its distorted.

I've taken the pickups and pickguard off and I can't find it.
It's been back to the distributor and they seem to ignore it.
It's a resonance but thats as far as I get.
I'm ready to flip this guitar

**p4chuss2** · 02-23-2016, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by ColMc

Hallelujah! I'm not going nuts!
This problem is killing the lurve I had for this guitar.

I have a SS300 Ibby and have had the same problem for months.
When you play a chord, it sounds like its distorted.

I've taken the pickups and pickguard off and I can't find it.
It's been back to the distributor and they seem to ignore it.
It's a resonance but thats as far as I get.
I'm ready to flip this guitar

That makes me feel bad

I really want to love this guitar. But if it has this problem I can't love it...

**hans halmackenreuter** · 02-23-2016, 06:21 PM

I was really desperate at one point, because at first I was unable to detect the source of this problem as well. on certain notes and strings there was this buzz/rattling going on. I changed the nut for tusq since I wasn't really satisfied with the original and thought that the slots were too low filed on the b sting, which was the evil string so to speak. While the guitar had a better set-up afterwards the buzz was still there. I read countless threads and some people were advising to try silicon tubes. so that is what I did. The buzz was gone. I am no tech, but I guess that the springs had certain freq. in which they were transferring the vibrations to the PU and PU-ring which may have caused the buzz.

I can just tell you that it worked in my case and I play 13 gauge rounds, so the buzz would be even more noticeable if it would be still present on my guitar. I have this tubes on every guitar installed now.

**p4chuss2** · 02-23-2016, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by hans halmackenreuter

I was really desperate at one point, because at first I was unable to detect the source of this problem as well. on certain notes and strings there was this buzz/rattling going on. I changed the nut for tusq since I wasn't really satisfied with the original and thought that the slots were too low filed on the b sting, which was the evil string so to speak. While the guitar had a better set-up afterwards the buzz was still there. I read countless threads and some people were advising to try silicon tubes. so that is what I did. The buzz was gone. I am no tech, but I guess that the springs had certain freq. in which they were transferring the vibrations to the PU and PU-ring which may have caused the buzz.

I can just tell you that it worked in my case and I play 13 gauge rounds, so the buzz would be even more noticeable if it would be still present on my guitar. I have this tubes on every guitar installed now.

Thanks Hans. Where do you find the springs installed and can buy the silicon ones? Do I need a luthier or is it simple to change ?

**ColMc** · 02-23-2016, 06:33 PM

I went for the ss300 for the spruce top and ebony board, seemed like a bargain at the price.

I tried squares of mouse mat between the springs and frame.
Next I removed the pickups completely, the buzz was still there.

I'll post a link to Bill @ Ibanez.

**Archie** · 02-23-2016, 07:06 PM

Lots of wire in those guitars, also check the wiring isn't touching the back anything inside it could rattle off.

You seem to have a 'rattle' which is fixable so dont worry. You just have to locate it.

The usual suspects have been named,

Pickup rings,

Pick guard

Wires inside

but it cold also be if it is happening on specific open strings and then not when you play on the string, that the nut could need attention?

Good luck.

**hans halmackenreuter** · 02-23-2016, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by p4chuss2

Thanks Hans. Where do you find the springs installed and can buy the silicon ones? Do I need a luthier or is it simple to change ?

I bought the tube from Göldo. 10 Euro for a meter. I am talking about the screws you use in order to change the PU height. You have to remove the strings and screw off the PU-ring first (the black ring with the 4 screws). You'll notice than that there are springs like in a cheap pen. You cut the tube to your desired length and swap them against the springs. You don't need a luthier for that.

**es34569** · 02-23-2016, 09:13 PM

Hans,
Thanks for the info. I am having the same problem with my AFJ91. What size tube diameter is needed for the fix?
Chuck

**hans halmackenreuter** · 02-23-2016, 10:10 PM

here's link of the tube I used. hope it helps.

Göldo Music Guitar Parts

**p4chuss2** · 02-24-2016, 02:09 AM

Thanks all for your kind answers. Does that happen as well with top guitars like Gibson ES-175 ?

**pubylakeg** · 02-24-2016, 02:27 AM

Originally Posted by p4chuss2

Thanks all for your kind answers. Does that happen as well with top guitars like Gibson ES-175 ?

Oh yes !. It's part and parcel of a resonating box with lots of wires, screws, springs, pots, etc attached.

**es34569** · 02-24-2016, 08:13 AM

Hans,
Thanks for the help. I also found the tubing from Allparts Music Co.
Chuck

**grahambop** · 02-24-2016, 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by p4chuss2

Thanks all for your kind answers. Does that happen as well with top guitars like Gibson ES-175 ?

Absolutely! My 175 used to rattle for years (fortunately it was an acoustic rattle only, with no effect on the amplified sound).

Eventually I traced it to where the pickguard hovers over the edge of the plastic pickup mount. It is sort of free-floating on that side, i.e. no screws to hold it on that side. So it can touch and vibrate against the pickup mount.

My low-tech solution was simply to insert a tiny blob of Blu-tak under the edge of the pickguard, between the pickguard and the edge of the pickup mounting. It's completely invisible and fixed the rattle completely.

**p4chuss2** · 02-25-2016, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by grahambop

Absolutely! My 175 used to rattle for years (fortunately it was an acoustic rattle only, with no effect on the amplified sound).

Eventually I traced it to where the pickguard hovers over the edge of the plastic pickup mount. It is sort of free-floating on that side, i.e. no screws to hold it on that side. So it can touch and vibrate against the pickup mount.

My low-tech solution was simply to insert a tiny blob of Blu-tak under the edge of the pickguard, between the pickguard and the edge of the pickup mounting. It's completely invisible and fixed the rattle completely.

Thanks!

**jazzimprov** · 02-25-2016, 06:17 PM

"The usual suspects have been named, Pickup rings, Pick guard"

Yep,

*The pickguard was the culprit with my Epi 175 premium
I stuffed a thin cloth under it and found it stopped buzzing/vibrating. (mostly)

*The pickup base was the culprit on my Sadowsky JH

**lawson-stone** · 02-25-2016, 06:19 PM

Rattles and buzzes are common in all arch tops. I know guys with $6000 Gibson L5ces's that have to ram a broken guitar pick down between the pickup and the mounting ring to stop a buzz there. Or the selector switch could be slightly loose and need tightening. Or a wire inside could be touching something that vibrates.

It takes a while to solve this problem. Most buzzes and rattles also are pitch-specific. You might have 2 or 3 different sources of rattling that relate to different notes. But still, it's a finite number of things, and all are easy to fix.