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So, you've got a guitar you love and it looks, feels, and sounds great... but, some (or all) of your strings are buzzing against the frets and it's driving you nuts. Let's take a look at some common causes of fret buzz and the appropriate ways to address each one. This is just an overview and not an in-depth tutorial.
Let's define "fret buzz." Fret buzz is the annoying sound caused by a guitar string rattling/buzzing against a fret wire when the guitar string is being plucked or played. There are three common causes of fret buzz:
- Frets are not level with each other (some are taller, some are shorter)
- String Action is too low
- Neck does not have enough "relief" (neck is too straight, or bowing backwards)
Note: Technique is not listed as a cause of fret buzz, but it is worth mentioning because, at a certain point, the cause of fret buzz is the player and not the guitar. If the player attacks the string too aggressively on a perfectly fine guitar, fret buzz will still occur.
CAUSE #1 - Frets Are Not Level With Each Other
The frets are supposed to be level with each other (they should all be the same height). There is an exception to this rule (upper fret "fall-away"), but we won't be getting in to that here. When the frets are not level with each other, that means some of the frets are shorter and some of the frets are taller. It's the tall frets that are the problem because the string comes in to contact with them and it results in fret buzz. The string does not buzz against the low frets. The diagrams below help illustrate.
Let's start with what we want to see:
The gray line is the guitar string. The guitar string is being fretted at the first fret (by an invisible finger).
Great. The frets are exactly the same height off the fretboard, which results in there being a space between the top of Fret #2 and the bottom of the guitar string. Because a guitar string vibrates when plucked, there needs to be enough space between itself and the fret to allow for that vibration to occur without the two coming in to contact with each other.
Here's what we don't want to see:
The gray line is the guitar string. The guitar string is being fretted at the first fret (by an invisible finger).
Uh oh. Fret #2 is taller than Fret #1, which results in there not being enough space between the top of Fret #2 and the bottom of the guitar string. That means the guitar string will rattle/buzz against Fret #2 every time the guitar is fretted and played at Fret #1. In extreme cases, there will be no gap at all (they're touching) between Fret #2 and the guitar string, and the result is a dead fret... the guitar can't even produce the note!
Let's see what happens with low frets:
The gray line is the guitar string. The guitar string is being fretted at the first fret (by an invisible finger).
Remember how the string doesn't actually buzz against the low frets? We should be able to see clearly as to why. Fret #2 is so low that it actually increases the space between itself and the bottom of the guitar string. That means the string could be fretted and played rather aggressively at the first fret and still not buzz because there's so much space for the string to vibrate... But, what if we want to play a half step up (at the second fret)? Because Fret #2 is so low, we can be almost certain that Fret #3 would be relatively taller and so the problem of fret buzz is still present; it just got shifted up the neck!
So, that's why it's super important all the frets on a guitar are the same height, or level, with each other. At Halo, every instrument gets a full fret leveling procedure done to it and it's performed by one of our pro guitar techs at our shop in Cupertino, California. This allows us to set up our guitars with very low string action while still being able to offer buzz-free playing.
SOLUTION #1 - How to fix fret buzz caused by uneven fret heights: Perform a full fret leveling procedure. This is a multi-step process and can take a professional between 1-2 hours depending on the condition of the fretboard and the frets themselves.
CAUSE#2 - String Action is Too Low
Let's define "string action." String action is the height of the guitar string measured at a specific fret. It's not enough to just provide a string action measurement by itself; it's necessary to know the string action measurement and the fret at which that measurement was taken. It's common to take string action measurements at the first fret, twelfth fret, and seventeenth fret. Different players will have different preferences for their string action. Some players prefer relatively high action, while others prefer very low (aka "slammed") action.
There is a threshold, though, to how low the string action can be set before it starts causing problems. String action is difficult to measure with standard rulers, so we recommend this String Action Gauge. We have several of these gauges in our shop and they're very useful for setting up each individual string to the desired action. We like to take our action measurements at the seventeenth fret for all our electric guitars. Our string action threshold is around 0.050" for the treble strings (GBE), and around 0.080 for the bass strings (EAD). Setting the action lower than this is not advisable as it will likely result in fret buzz.
SOLUTION #2 - How to fix fret buzz caused by low string action: Loosen the strings a bit to relieve tension, then increase the string action by making adjustments at the string saddles (located on the bridge).
CAUSE #3 - Neck Does Not Have Enough Relief
A guitar neck is supposed to be close to perfectly straight, but not quite. Assuming the guitar is strung and tuned to pitch, it should have a slight dip in the middle (around the 8th fret). That dip is measurable and we call it "neck relief". If a neck has a dip in the middle, we say that neck has "forward bow". If a neck has no dip at all, but rather a hump, then we say that neck has "back bow". Back bow is always bad. Back bow means there is not enough relief in the neck and it often causes all or most of the open strings to buzz on the first fret.
Neck Relief (image from http://customguitarprojects.co.uk/)
SOLUTION #3 - When you experience all or most of the strings buzzing when played open, then it is likely the neck is back bowed (there's not enough relief). The strings are buzzing against the first fret. The fix is simple: increase the amount of relief in the neck by loosening the truss rod.
Halo instruments are equipped with two-way adjustable truss rods. On many of our guitars, the truss rod is adjusted at the headstock side with a 4mm hex wrench, which is supplied with our guitars. There are guitar necks out there that can only be adjusted in one direction, and some necks that can't be adjusted all (nylon-string, classical guitars). Two-way adjustability is handy because we can increase and decrease neck relief depending on the condition of the neck.
To roughly measure the amount of relief in the neck, we can use the string as a straight edge by pressing and holding down on the first and last fret of the 4th string, and then looking very closely to see if there is a gap between the bottom of the 4th string and the top of the 8th fret wire. This is an imprecise method, but it can be helpful if you have nothing else better. If there is no gap (the string is touching the fret wire), then the neck is probably back-bowed. If there is a huge gap (say, 0.5mm or more), then the neck is probably forward-bowed. With the guitar strung and tuned to pitch, truss rod adjustments can be made until only a very small gap can be seen and you'll probably be able to eliminate the open string fret buzz. For reference, the gap should be smaller than the thickness of a regular High E string.
There are better and more precise ways to measure relief. Straight edges and relief gauges are available at Stewart MacDonald, but the average player probably doesn't want or need to purchase these specialized tools for this purpose, and that's why I described the method above. Halo does not use the above method in setting neck relief. We always use straight edges and gauges.
By the way, if you've ever seen somebody pick up a guitar (to inspect it) and look down the neck while squinting and moving their head side to side a bit... they were "sighting" the neck in order to check the condition of the neck and/or the amount of relief in it. That is another quick and easy way to determine if the neck has too little, too much, or approximately the right amount of relief. Learning how to sight a neck is helpful in that it enables you to make the necessary truss rod adjustment without any specialized tools.
For neck relief, it would be really nice if we could just set it and forget it. But, the amount of relief in a neck is bound to change over time due to a variety of reasons such as:
- temperature
- humidity
- elevation
- tuning
- string gauge
There you have it. Three common causes for fret buzz: (1) uneven frets (2) excessively low string action, and (3) a back bowed neck. Just one of these problems is enough to cause fret buzz, but often times a guitar has a combination of these three problems all at once. Halo instruments are always shipped with level frets and proper string action, so if you're getting any fret buzz on your new Halo guitar, you only need to make a simple truss rod adjustment!
Jeff Lee
Jeff leads the team at Halo and is the architect behind the Halo Guitar Customization Tool.
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i bought a new acoustic and it buzzes. the buzz comes from the butt/bridge/sound hole area not the frets. it even buzzes when my finger is on the last fret making it impossible for the string to hit the fret and buzz
*** HALO ADMIN REPLY: It's hard to diagnose this one without having the guitar in front of me! I'd suggest taking it to a qualified guitar technician or luthier... sorry I couldn't be of more help! ***
I have a buzz on B and E strings when I play a chord and begin to lift the fingers off to make another chord. (i.e.between changes) It is perfectly fine playing open strings. I have a Yamaha 705 S perfectly tuned.
*** HALO ADMIN RESPONSE: Hi Paul, it sounds like you might have some high frets that are only causing buzz when you apply less pressure to the strings. It's best to take your guitar to a qualified tech or luthier, but I'd probably start by increasing neck relief or string action a tiny bit to see if the buzz goes away. Hope this helps! ***
I have a Epiphone Pr-150-Vs and the string buzz on the 2 fret,no other fret but the second,And also all the strings do.I asking for your reconmindation for what to do
[ HALO ADMIN RESPONSE: I recommend taking your guitar to a guitar technician or luthier so he/she can level your frets and eliminate your fret buzz! ]
I have an Ibanez electric around 10months old. When winter began, the first string started buzzing on 2nd fret. Can this be corrected at screws on the saddle? Please help.
[HALO ADMIN RESPONSE: It sounds like you need to loosen the truss rod. I suggest reading the article to understand what's going on, then you can be equipped to solve the issue. Thanks!
I'm having problems with buzzing of the bass note. It sounds fine when no finger is on it but when I apply pressure it buzzes and vibrates making the note sound scratchy can you help?
HALO ADMIN RESPONSE: It sounds like you may need a "fret level." I suggest taking it to your local guitar repair shop for an assessment. Thanks
I have a Santa Cruz 000 12 fret that has a buzz when I fret the 1st string, second fret, most often when I'm in drop-D tuning. I've adjusted the relief and that helps to get the string just on the verge of buzzing. But action is higher than I'd like. I also have a nearly identical 00 12 fret that plays great. I've compared the two. String height at the nut is comparable. The relief on the 000 is actually a bit more than the 00. I have put a slightly heavier 1st string on the 000 (0.013 instead of 0.012). The 000 is right at the verge, so I'm hesitant to take the action down. I recently put a capo on the second fret of both guitars and measured the height at the 3rd and 4th frets. The 000 measures .010 and .022, respectively. The 00 measures .007 and .010. So it would seem that the buzz is not on the near frets. Is it possible for the buzz to be at the other end; something going on at the saddle? Thanks for your thoughts.
HALO ADMIN RESPONSE: I'd use this fret rocker to identify which fret is actually higher and causing the buzz. From what you describe, I'd guess your 000's 3rd fret wire is a bit high. If the buzz only occurs at that string and fret, then I'd guess the cause of the buzz is not due to the nut or the saddle. A good technician or luthier should be able to identify the problem within minutes. Hope this helps! -Jeff Lee
Just wanted to say I came here because my e string started buzzing out of nowhere and looking though what others have been asking I found the problem. It's the nut. Off the get it fixed by pro. Just wanted to say thanks
HALO ADMIN RESPONSE: You are welcome, my friend. - Jeff Lee, Halo Custom Guitars
I have a problem where one fret buzzes and sounds dead on the 14th fret, G string. Only place on whole fretboard. Is it just a case of adjusting that screw on the nut to move the block forward maybe, or backwards. Or am I in major trouble? Please help me!
HALO ADMIN RESPONSE: I'd try installing a new string and if that doesn't improve things, then you may need to get your frets leveled by a guitar technician or luthier. Hope this helps!
The G string on my bass buzzes, and whenever I use the first fret on this string it goes a whole step not a half step
HALO ADMIN RESPONSE: This is likely due to an extremely high fret, which requires a fret leveling procedure. Hope this helps! - Jeff, Halo
Hi. The problem with my guitar is that the first string has a buzz when I play it in 1st and 2nd fret. It plays fine open and the other frets. It's just the 1-2 frets. Any suggestions? I live in a pretty cold place where temps drop till 5°C during winters. Also it had been almost a month that I haven't played the guitar. Any suggestion would help a lot. Thanks in advance.
HALO ADMIN RESPONSE: It sounds like the 3rd fret might be too high, or your neck is back bowed. I suggest going through the steps mentioned in the blog post to pin point the issue. Hope this helps! - Jeff Lee, Halo
Please help me I’ve tried everything I can. I just got a brand new $2000 tele, and it buzzes everywhere on the first 3 strings. I put a slight bow in the neck like you told me to in the post, my action is as high as it can go, my nut isn’t the problem because the strings don’t buzz when I play open. I’m just at a loss! It can’t be that the Greta are uneven because it’s a brand new guitar that cost me $2000! Is there anything else that can cause this problem?
HALO ADMIN RESPONSE: There are only two other factors I can think of at the moment - (1) an astronomically high fret or (2) a very mangled set of first 3 strings (have you tried changing the strings?) - Jeff Lee, Halo
Hey! I own a jackson i am having a problem with my B string It look like its not sounding properly its not the freet buzz for sure and may be its the saddle problem It sound like rattling or if u know sitar an Indian instrument it sound like it Dont know how to deal with it Shoud i adjust trust rod or should change the saddle??
HALO ADMIN RESPONSE: Sounds like the string could be buzzing in either the nut slot or the saddle. A guitar technician should be able to resolve the issue very quickly for you. Hope this helps! - Jeff Lee, Halo
Informative stuff in this forum so I'll add my problem: Recently restrung my Ibanez acoustic and it sounds fine except for anything played on the 6th fret. Right across the board, from Low to High E, I get a buzz that seems to be localized towards the saddle. Prior to the restringing, I don't recall having this issue. While I'll most likely end up taking it to my local guitar shop, any info or suggestions would be appreciated. And for what it's worth, I have an extra saddle piece that was included with the guitar when I purchased it. Thanks for your help...
HALO ADMIN RESPONSE: If you're getting buzz across the board when fretting at the 6th fret, then the 7th fret is probably too high and needs to be leveled. Where did the extra saddle piece come from? Was it from underneath the saddle and came out during the re-string? Because that might have been a saddle shim that increased the break angle of the string over the saddle, which could explain why there is buzzing at the saddle. Hard to say without having the guitar handy, but I hope this helps! - Jeff Lee, Halo
Hi, I recently bought a Martin GPCRSTG, I noticed it buzzes on the 6 string, 5 string and 2 string, it buzzes when strumming as well when I play a fingerpicking song, really don´t know what to do. The guitar is new, only 1 week I have played it
HALO ADMIN RESPONSE: Hi Miguel - it sounds like your guitar could use a setup and/or fret level. I suggest taking it to a guitar repair shop for assessment. Thanks! - Jeff Lee, Halo
Hi Halo Guitars! My low E buzzes pretty much all along the fretboard on stationary notes but especially when I'm sliding my finger. I checked for relief, and the distance between low E and 10th fret seems to be smaller than in the case of high E (the saddle height is set properly, anything higher would be too high. Is this normal or does that mean that the neck is warped? The string sits deep in the nut, but so do the others and I'm getting little (A) to no buzz on them. Some frets are flat on top, but again, only low E is affected. It's an old guitar of mine that I "resurrected" recently and put new strings on so I don't quite remember if it used to buzz that much but I think it didn't. I'll be taking it to a luthier anyway but I'm curious about this string-fret clearance for low and high E. Thanks in advance for any help!
HALO ADMIN RESPONSE: Using a string to check relief is only an approximation. It's best to ask your luthier to check the relief with a true straight edge on the Low E side of the fretboard against the High E side to see what the difference is. If there is significant and measurable difference, then this usually indicates the neck is twisted, unfortunately.
My guitar is buzzing a lot. All the strings buzz if I strum, even when I’m I’m not making any chords or anything. It is very annoying. Please help!
HALO ADMIN RESPONSE: It sounds like your guitar could be back bowed, please refer to the blog article above for help. Thanks!
I have a older model of squire strat and every time I fret anything on the third and fourth fret it completely buzzes out the note ive tried having the neck adjusted but nothing happened. (It was my grandfathers and he thinks he damaged the fret when he tried to use a mic stand as a slide) I am thinking about replaceing the neck but I want a second opinion
HALO ADMIN RESPONSE: It probably just needs a fret level, not an entirely new neck! - Jeff Lee, Halo Custom Guitars
Hi Jeff I bought a shecter sgr solo 2 electric guitar a few days ago and only the G string started to buzz I have tried to adjust the truss rod check the action height and try to adjust the bridge but the G string is still buzzing on the first fret when I play the string open any advice on how I could get the string to stop buzzing
Halo Admin Response: Hi Reinhardt - if the G string buzzes when played open, then it could be that the nut slot for that string is cut too deep, or the neck is back bowed and you need to loosen the truss rod to give it more relief. It's also possible that both of these things are happening at the same time! Thanks - Jeff Lee, Halo Custom Guitars
The guitar I had bought recently started buzzing when I play any note on the guitar on any fret, even open strings. So is there any way you know how to fix this?
HALO: Sounds like the neck is back bowed. I'd try loosening the truss rod! - Jeff Lee, Halo Custom Guitars
I would like to ask. when i put my finger on the low e string at the 7th fret and play open d string, the low e string produces buzzing sound. i try to adjust the truss rod and level up frets but still the buzzing sound could be hear. can anybody could help me please.!!! thanks
HALO: I'm not sure what's going on there... best to take it to a qualified guitar repair shop or luthier!
do these solutions apply to bass guitar's also?
HALO: Yes, the same principles and solutions apply to bass guitars as well!
Hello. All of my strings work just fine expect from the D string when I play the 3rd fret. The 2nd and 4th fret work just fine. Note: When I first got the guitar I had 11 gazed strings and the buzz appeared only when I mistakenly changed the set to 9 gazed strings...I changed them after 3 months ( both sets ) and now I have 10 gazed strings
HALO: Hi Bill, it sounds like you have a high spot on your 4th fret wire in the area of the D string. You might be able to get rid of it by adding more relief into your neck, since the relief in your neck was probably reduced as a result of the lighter string gauge you changed to. Hope this helps! Jeff Lee, Halo Custom Guitars
@debbie - it sounds like the action may be too low at the bridge.
@Nethan - glad to share.
@Harold - it sounds like the action may be too low at the bridge.
Hi, Why does my guitar buzzes when hammered open string? My guitar, Art & Luthrie by Godin. Thanks, Romel
@Romel Angeles - your guitar neck might need more relief! - Jeff Lee, Halo Custom Guitars
Hii! I just bought a new Cort Ad810 acoustic guitar. It was working fine, but after tuning, the bass strings (EA) are getting fret buzz on open strumming, most likely near the fingerboard. What can be the reason? Plz help me.
@Shilpa Yadav - you might need to give the neck more relief! - Jeff Lee, Halo Custom Guitars
I have started my new guitar repairing shop. I can play guitar but not a professional or an experienced guitarist. As I have just started repairing and yesterday also fixed guitar tuner buttons for the Gibson guitar. Now I am just searching for more repairing job done by the technicians to enhance my knowledge. Thanks for sharing this post. Thank You!
@John Brown - very cool! All the best, - Jeff Lee, Halo Custom Guitars
Hi, I have a decent understanding of guitar mechanics, but my old Les Paul Studio mystifies me. I fear my frets after 15+ years of use are worn and uneven. Even with what looks to be (when sighting down the neck) a decent amount of relief, the tonal quality of fretted notes past say, the 9th fret on up, is sort of dull. The guitar had always had a kind of chimey, bell like quality in its clean tones (selector in center position) that I've always enjoyed. Now, the sustain feels slighty less? And the clear, treblely ringing quality seems absent. This is with new strings and what I feel is a decent amount of neck relief. Could it be string height? I don't feel the strings are excessively low. In fact, I wouldn't want them any higher. All I can guess is the frets are worn out? Shawna
@Shawna Bradford - Hmm... it sounds like you're referring to the clean tones when plugged in to an amp. I'm not entirely sure how to pinpoint the cause of this issue. But, I wouldn't look to the frets as being the cause before ruling out other factors like the pickup selector switch, pickups, wiring and other stuff related to the electronics. Probably best to take this guitar to a qualified guitar tech for an inspection. Hope this helps! - Jeff Lee, Halo Custom Guitars
I have a mitchell md-100 acoustic that started to get fret buzz on the high E string at the 12th and 13th fret after a change of strings. I'm not sure if I need a truss rod adjustment, or if the nut is too worn down. It doesn't look like it, to me at least. The last set of strings I had on it didn't buzz at all.
@Nathan - if you changed to a lighter gauge set of strings, then the action decreases across the board (ever so slightly). This slight decrease in action might have been enough to cause some fret buzz in those areas you described. Another possibility is that the frets lifted a little out of their slots and that's causing the buzz. I'd start be ensuring the neck has enough relief and then address the fret heights after that. Hope this helps! - Jeff Lee, Halo Custom Guitars
john robinson: i brought a brand new tanglewood model tw4 acoustic ,6 string 2 months ago, today playing the high e -string f ok , f# & g sound the same every other strings ok . any ideas.
@john robinson - I think you're saying that when you play the F# (2nd fret) on the High E string, it rings out a G note. If this is the case, then your guitar's 3rd fret wire is very high and needs to be brought back down to the same height as the neighboring frets. A qualified technician can probably do this with a fret setter or doing some fret leveling there.
Korie: My guitar first fret Is giving the same sound as an open string no matter wah I do or how I tune, what do I do?
@Korie - there are a few possible reasons for this issue. (1) your neck is severely back bowed (2) the nut slots are cut way too deep (3) the first fret is way too high. It could be a little bit of all the above. Best to take it to a qualified guitar technician to get it diagnosed. Or you can read the blog article above and diagnose it on your own. Hope this helps!
i have a stratocaster copy and i have performed a full fret leveling. my problem is that all the frets are buzzing. how do i fix this?
@Gio Antoine - Assuming your frets are level and the neck has the proper amount of relief, it’s probably that your action at the bridge is too low that is causing all the frets to buzz. Hope this helps - Jeff Lee, Halo Custom Guitars
I, being a beginner, have a squire. For my Low E string, I get a buzz from the 5th fret to the 7th fret. Any advice?
@Deven - Cool! I played on a Squier when I was a beginner, too. Sounds like you could have some high spots on your 6th, 7th and 8th frets. Hope this helps! - Jeff Lee, Halo Custom Guitars
I have an Epiphone Les Paul Custom Pro and while I love the hell out of that guitar, I have some questions. The higher frets (specifically the 17th fret of my d string) is giving me more fret buzz even with the action a bit high. Any way to fix this? Or should I just take it to a shop and just have it set up? If I do, how much, approximately, will that run me?
@Josh - that's pretty high up on the neck for fret buzz. So, it probably means the 18th fret is really high. A setup might not get rid of the fret buzz since you already have the action a bit high. I'd take it to a shop. They might be able to tap the 18th fret back down into the fret slot (if it's lifted out), or they might need to perform a fret level. Pricing really varies based on where you're located, but around here, a setup is around $75, tapping a fret back into place might be free, and a fret level is around $100. Hope this helps! - Jeff Lee, Halo Custom Guitars
Hi Jeff, what an amazing read! I've got a classical Alhambra 5p guitar and have a weird buzz, weird because it only appears if I play both 1st and 6th string on the 3rd fret at the same time, and not any other note, combination or condition. What could be the cause if the problem has such specific conditions?
Hi Al - that is a really interesting phenomenon. Since the guitar doesn't buzz in any other scenario, it could be due to how the notes are being played (fretting pressure combined with plucking force). This is really just a guess, though. Assuming everything about the frets and the setup on the guitar are proper, I'd try a new set of strings with heavier tension (so the neck will get a tiny bit more relief) to try and get rid of that buzz. Maybe the extra relief will be just enough for the buzz to go away. If heavier strings aren't an option, then it might be time to increase the action a bit. Hope this helps and hope you can get it fixed! - Jeff Lee, Halo Custom Guitars
I have a strat that plays great with just a bit of relief, except for the 6 string which buzzes from the 5th fret on up, and gets progressively worse as you fret the string towards the bridge. Adding more relief doesn't help very much, and it raises the action of the strings too much for the guitar. The over all action on the guitar isn't that low, and the string height on the 6th string is just a midge over 4/64th at the 12th fret (no capo) and the string is not bent. To add insult to injury, the guitar was just plek'd so the frets should be level (and look level on my straight edge). What's going on here?
Hi Rjames - 4/64ths is a bit low for our standards. Maybe try increasing the action to at least 5/64ths? Apart from that, the source of your fret buzz is hard to diagnose. Since you just got it plek'd, I'd say take it back to whoever plek'd it and they can take a closer look. Hope this helps! - Jeff Lee, Halo Custom Guitars
I have a bass which is buzzing only on the G string, really bad around the 6th fret (it's almost dead at this point). Would that be a relief issue, or possibly a twisted neck? It seems strange it is only that string, which makes me think a twist.
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Hi Brandon, if the fret buzz occurs when you play the 6th fret, then the 7th fret is high. Determining what is causing it to be high is the next step. It could be that the 7th fret is high due to the fret lifting out of the fret slot at that precise location. Or, it could be a twist or warp in the neck. Or it could be both. Best to take it to a guitar tech or luthier. Hope this helps! - Jeff Lee, Halo Custom Guitars
My guitar has a buzz on the b string. It generally happens when I play d chord. I have had my buddy who is a union musician restring after adjusting neck. Just trying to figure what I can do.
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Hi Nathan, if your B string is buzzing when you play a D chord, then it could be that the 4th fret wire is a bit high. It could probably use a setup and possibly a fret level as well. Best to take it to a guitar technician or luthier. Hope this helps! - Jeff Lee, Halo Custom Guitars
Hello, im hoping you can help me sort out a problem. I have a tele copy kit im working on with a hardtail bridge. Without a shim- regardless of what i do with the saddles or truss rod i end up with fret buzz from 1-5. Smallest shim possible on headstock side- action is enormously high regardless of what i do with the saddles or truss rod for relief. No buzz. Shim at body side- action is a little better than original, still not great and end up with a bit of buzzing again at frets 1-3. It seems to me no matter what i do to balance the relief problem the neck has without a shim i create more problems. Any suggestions?
Hi Brandon - the first thing it to check if the frets themselves are level. Once that has been done, it should just be a matter of dialing in the setup with the shim, truss rod, nut, and saddles. Hope this helps! - Jeff Lee, Halo Custom Guitars
Hello! I just got a gutair two days ago and i know much about them. Im not sure if its fret buzz or something else, but every time I strum on a string, all the others sound aswell. For example, if i use the 6th string the 1st one makes a sound aswell. I have no clue what it is or if its normal and i dont know anyone who can help me. The sound is quieter but still a bit noticable (atleast to me.) is there anything i can do about it?
Hi Selma - it could be that the guitar you have is very resonant, to the point that one string's vibration causes neighboring strings to vibrate as well. Not really too sure. Best to demonstrate this issue to a guitar tech or luthier so they can see and hear what's going on more precisely. Hope this helps! - Jeff Lee, Halo Custom Guitars
Ello, so i just got my first electric a few days ago and im experiencing fret buzz around the first fret on the low E and A strings. Being so close to the headstock I'm not sure if its an issue with the nut, the truss rod, or a high 1st fret. Any idea what my issue is and or what I should do to fix it?
Hi Price - if the buzz is on the 1st fret, then it probably means the 2nd fret is high. The buzz could potentially go away with a truss rod adjustment (loosen it to give more relief). Hope this helps! - Jeff Lee, Halo Custom Guitars
Hi, I have an Epiphone LP Standard that I bought used and the strings seem to be buzzing about after the 12th fret. What would you recommend to deal with this? Could raising the action or filing the high frets solve it? Or maybe something else? Thanks!
First determine the cause of the fret buzz, then deal with it accordingly. Raising the action or leveling the frets could solve the problem, but it might not solve the underlying cause of the problem. Hope this helps. -Halo
Hi! So I just got a Ibanez Bass and the string is making that annoying sound and hitting the frets when I play it but I don’t know if I should tighten the strings or if there is a different problem. Also If I do need to tighten the strings where would I tighten them? Thank you :)
Hi Kayla - the first step is to get the bass is tune. If there is still buzz after that, then you'll want to go through the steps laid out in the blog article to determine what the cause is. Assuming there is an issue, I encourage you to take the instrument to a qualified guitar technician or luthier to get it fixed. Thanks and good luck - Jeff Lee, Halo Custom Guitars
I’ve got a confusing buzz on my ES335 on my high E string from the 6th fret all the way to the 22nd fret. There is a little relief in the neck and the action is pretty standard. I’m not sure where to start in fixing it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I was thinking of starting with raising the action just a little bit on the high side of the bridge.
Hi Daren - if the relief and action is pretty standard, then sometimes the buzz can come from the bridge saddle... it could be time to take it into a guitar tech or luthier. Hope this help, - Jeff Lee, Halo Custom Guitars
I just picked up a Squier Affinity Tele and took care to do what I thought was a decent setup. However, past the 12th fret I get string buzz across all strings. could it be the higher frets are all too tall? would taking just a scooch off all the frets fix it? Neck has only a slight bit of relief and plays really well all the way up to the 12th fret.
Hi Rick - I'd check to see if the action isn't too low at the 17th fret. Uneven frets that high up on the fretboard need to be very uneven to cause buzz across all strings... For reference, we don't go much lower than around 0.055" at the 17th fret for the high E and around 0.085" for the low E. Hope this helps! -Jeff Lee, Halo Custom Guitars
Hi, thanks for this article. I have a Maton acoustic guitar, EBG 808 artist model. Simply perfect model, great sound etc.. BUT at my preferred setting of the guitar action (1,25 mm high e and 1,75 low E) it makes a buzzing, it is not exactly typical buzzing rather the jingly sharp sound. It is only on a second string - B string at the first 4 frets, especially 2nd, 3rd fret once the string is hit more agressively with the finger or plectrum. I tried to give it to a luthier but I guess he is not so experienced to find the exact cause of the problem. He has just polished the frets and set the neck with the truss rod. I was not very satisfied with his job done. Now I try not to play very hard.
Hi Radovan - sounds like the frets may be uneven or the neck could use a tiny bit more relief; perhaps try another luthier or repair shop? - Jeff Lee, Halo Custom Guitars
Hey Jeff, I have an issue with an Epiphone Les Paul that's driving me mad. The LP has what sounds like a faint fret buzz on the low E and A strings. I can't pinpoint the exact location. Out of the box the frets were so bad I had to level them. Now they are perfectly level to each other, using a good fret rocker. I took extra care in crowning the frets to avoid any intonation problems. I have used .003" relief, up to, and beyond the factory suggested .012", and I've used action at the 12th fret of 4/64" up to more than 6/64". I cut a new nut fairly low, but using a capo on the first fret should take that out of the equation. I used 3 different bridges, and adjusted the tailstock at varying heights. and if I pick the string in a slightly upward manner, or just go REAL light on the picking, it doesn't buzz. I don't see any twist in the neck, but my measuring techniques may be inadequate. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Anthony
Hi Anthony - not too sure on this one, sorry! Might be time to bring the guitar to a qualified guitar tech or luthier for a 2nd opinion. - Jeff Lee, Halo Custom Guitars
Great article. I’ve been battling buzzing on the treble strings of my Epiphone Les Paul, plus a dead zone above the 17th fret (almost certainly caused by a up-slope on the fingerboard at the body). I took it to two luthiers: one left the guitar unplayable by fitting a new nut with slots cut to 50% of the factory specs; by setting the action very low; and, by tightening the truss rod to give me a completely flat neck. The other rubbed down the last few frets and asked for three figures in return! So, I took it back; read your article; fitted a Tusq nut cut to factory specs; gave the neck some relief; and, experimented with bridge and string heights. All strings were fine now (at least up to the 17th fret), apart from the high E string. When I put my ear to the guitar I came to your last bit of advice - uneven frets. In my case frets 2-8 were very uneven and the source of the continued buzzing. Next job: fret levelling!
Hi Cliff - glad the article was helpful! If the budget allows, we highly recommend purchasing some specialized fret leveling tools to make the job more precise and efficient. Good luck, have fun!
Hi Jeff - Here's one for you. The buzzing challenge on my Ibanez electric takes place on the 2nd or 3rd string (varies which one, which is curious in itself) when the string is played OPEN! When fretting, there is NO buzzing. I've looked for resonances (springs, bridge, etc) to no avail. I'm about at wits end. Any suggestions? Thanks, Chuck
Hi Chuck - I'd see if the neck is back bowed. If it's not, then I'd see if the nut slots are cut too deep/low on the 2nd and 3rd strings, which would cause them to buzz against the 1st fret (when played open). I had this happen on my acoustic guitar and put a piece of gum wrapper in the nut slot to shim that one string up a bit. The buzz went away and it was helpful in a pinch (obviously, gum wrapper is not a real fix). Hope this helps! -Jeff Lee, Halo Custom Guitars