 | 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
SYMPTOM | POSSIBLE CAUSE | REMEDY |
| 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.
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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.
| 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. |
