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Fret (String) Buzz
- This happens when a string comes in contact with a fret and a
buzzing sound occurs. This is the most frequent cause of annoying buzzes. See
chart below for more info. |
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Hardware Buzz
- Actually this can be any number of sounds, from buzzing to rattling.
Loose hardware, like loose machine head bushings, loose
tailpieces that are rattling against the top, loose electrical parts or jacks,
loose or poorly fitting trim pieces
and so on. You often need 2 people to locate some of these, one person to play the
instrument, the other to place their hand on each component until the source is
located. |
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Sympathetic Buzz
- Thankfully this is not too common. Certain frequencies can set off odd noises including strange buzzes
and vibrations. These types of buzzes differ in that they occur only when certain frequencies are played.
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Loose Brace Buzz
- Braces that split or come loose in an acoustic guitar can sometimes be heard
rattling against the top or back
when playing. More on
braces. |
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SYMPTOM |
POSSIBLE CAUSE |
REMEDY |
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Buzzes on open strings only
-String buzzes when played open, stops
when string is fretted. |
Nut
-Slots in nut
are too deep.
Worn or poorly cut nut slot is placing the strings too close to the frets
near the nut. |
Replace nut or shim to add height.
Set up instrument properly. |
Buzzes in one spot
- Buzzing is heard in one particular
spot. Like only at the 3rd fret but is gone when fretting the 4th.
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Unlevel Frets
-Frets are not on a level plane (one or
more is
too high or too low.)
Loose or sprung fret is rising out of the fingerboard.
Hump in fingerboard.
Wear or deep grooves in frets. |
Secure all loose frets, level and dress.
Fret leveling and/or replacement of worn frets. |
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Buzzes where the neck attaches to the
body. Notes seem to fret out
when playing near the body. |
Particularly common on flattop acoustic
guitars. The small amount of fingerboard that is glued to the top may flex
as the top flattens or rises and create a bend in the fingerboard near the
neck to body joint. A hump here can render the frets to high in that area. |
Flattop guitars with a dipping or
flattening top should be evaluated for dryness
and corrected.
Frets near f/b extension may need leveling.
In rare cases the board must be planed to remove hump. |
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Buzzes When Strumming Hard
-Buzzing occurs when strumming or picking
aggressively but can be silenced when playing lightly. |
Insufficient relief in the neck.
Poor set up.
String gauge too light.
|
Adjust truss rod.
Use heavier strings.
Set up instrument properly. |
| Buzzes nearly
everywhere even though it is set up properly, will often disappear if string is fretted hard
or closer to the fret and plucked
softly. |
Frets may be worn out
or too low.
Very small fret wire used. |
Replace frets. |
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Buzzes nearly everywhere all the time, strings
are literally
touching the frets in the center
or other area of the fingerboard. |
Truss rod
may be way
too tight/ neck may not have enough relief.
Could be a back bowed
or twisted neck.
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Set up instrument properly.
Adjust truss rod for more relief.
Have neck inspected, far too many people jump to the conclusion that their
neck is twisted. Though it does happen don't assume all necks that buzz are
warped. |
