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How to fix one buzzing fret?

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  • Rated: 6 ↑

  Jul 27, 2008 2:20 p.m. tedzepplin:

  I have a new gretsch that buzzes the open G string. It's the first fret that is the one that's buzzing. I'm guessing it's a little too high on that one string. Or the zero fret isn't high enough at that one spot. None of the other frets/strings buzz anywhere on the neck. I like the nice low action that the guitar has.

  I'll probably take it to my guitar tech but I wanted to see what some of you would do to fix it. I want to keep the zero fret. Please don't suggest removing it and moving the nut into position.

  Right now the strings are 12s but I might try a set of 11s. thanks
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  • Rated: 20 ↑

  Jul 27, 2008 2:31 p.m. TAG4:

  I'd try to examine the area in a real good light (maybe sunlight) and see if you see a high place at that spot. If it looks a little high there, get some REAL FINE sandpaper and rub the area about 1/8" either side of the string--just a LITTLE bit and see if it improves the problem somewhat, if so, you're on the right track.

  TAG4
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  • Rated: 2 ↑

  Jul 27, 2008 2:38 p.m. MikeSchindler:

  Try this.Adjust the string height on your bridge treble side only about 1-3 full revolutions depending on the feel. Do the dime test. Slip a dime under the 12 fret and high E string. You should have a dime clearance between the fret and bottom of this E string. If this doesn't take the buzz away CHECK RELIEF. If the neck is dead straight loosen about 1/4 turn at a time. Check for relief again by using a Capo on 1st and hold the last fret. You should have just about a business card of relief under the 6 or 7th fret. Check the G string. I bet you it works.If the action is not to your liking you can try 11s and readjust truss and action You will be able to bend 11s easier and the amount of tension on your neck won't be as much. I find 11s are ideal and are super stable tuning wise. Let us know.
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  • Rated: 47 ↑

  Jul 27, 2008 2:50 p.m. The Norm:

  Put a capo at the first fret and see if the buzz is still there.

  If it is, get them dressed. If it goes away then it's the fret and wants attention. I'd take it to a tech if you can't see the problem spot visually. You can always take metal away but you can't put it back.
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  • Rated: 55 ↑

  Jul 27, 2008 3:04 p.m. otterbean:

  The advice to look at it under good lighting is a great piece of advice. I had a guitar that buzzed at one fret only. I couldn't figure out the problem. When I looked at it under good lighting, I saw that the string was actually bent at that fret and there was a small nick in the fret itself from some type of impact. I couldn't see it with interior lighting in my music room.

  A fret dress could take care of this as well. Take it to a tech if you have never done this before. You could create more problems for yourself if you try sanding it with no experience. (I've done that too.)

  Norm is giving you really good advice. Its hard to tell from your pic when we only see that one part of the neck from that view. A good tech will spot your problem quickly. May even tell you what to do to fix it yourself without charging you.
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  • Rated: 2 ↑

  Jul 27, 2008 6:50 p.m. MikeSchindler:

  Be careful about fret dressing. Don't rush to do this. Why? Check the obvious first. Change the string first.If that isn't it then try to see if the guitar is set up properly for 12s, especially a wound G which I think you got, you don't need to sand anything. Try setting the guitar up properly first if it isn't already. One problem I have had is that 50% of the techs out there have no idea what they're doing. They can screw up your adjustments quicker than you know. I had an experience with a tech who is a pretty famous Ric dealer on a major web page. He was also a sponsor of that page. Well I sent him my Ric 360/12v64/ and Pyramids and he really screwed it up terribly. So badly I had to end up just doing it myself/ trial and error /to how I wanted it. It wasn't hard but very time consuming . I had to change the nut and re-do the relief. I also changed to TI strings despite his "advice". It was impossible to play until I ended up doing it myself. The TIs made a world of difference too. Some of these "techs" are employed in a music shop and have been salesman that"graduated" because of their time there to become so called techs. Some of them are ok but then again if you have the proper specs you CAN set up your own guitar . It's not hard. These things such as relief, action, pick up height, pole piece adjustment, bridge height are very easy to do and only require trial and error utilizing the base specs as starting points. Relief is not hard but I caution everyone that if they are still too wary about this adjustment then by all means take it to someone who you know well and who has experience. Its not hard if you do it with care. Since we are giving advice the first thing you should really do is change the string. If this does not work and you still want a wound G then try some of these minor adjustments. I agree that it is hard to call because I can't see the fret well enough from the right angle. Try the setup, my SG had the same problem with the G string, it was the relief and bridge height(too low).
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  • Rated: 18 ↑

  Jul 27, 2008 7:20 p.m. Gretschington:

  I have a new gretsch that buzzes the open G string. It's the first fret that is the one that's buzzing. I'm guessing it's a little too high on that one string. Or the zero fret isn't high enough at that one spot. None of the other frets/strings buzz anywhere on the neck.

  Your assesment is correct.

  Generally a buzz on just one open string that goes away when you fret the first fret is due to the nut slot being cut too low. I see you have a zero fret, which complicates things a bit. I'd say take it to a competent guitar tech to determine if your zero fret is low or your first fret is high. This can be determined easily with a Fret Rocker. If you are a die-hard DIY guy, here's the tool to give you the answer (but you still need the skills to fix it once you define the problem):

  http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Measuring/Fret_Rocker.html
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  • Rated: 6 ↑

  Sep 3, 2008 9:21 a.m. tedzepplin:

  I fixed it myself by loosening the truss rod a quarter turn. But a few weeks later I felt I had too much bow in the neck and my tech got the neck more straight and no buzzing fret. I'm set for now.

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