Kavanagh Customs

Project Guitar Help Centre: Getting Rid of that Annoying Buzzing noise

Types of buzzes

In an electric guitar there are really only two main types of buzz, although that doesn't necessarily mean that there are only two different causes:

FRET (OR STRING) BUZZING: occurs where the string rattles against one (or several) of the frets. More on this below.

HARDWARE BUZZING: caused by loose or ill-fitting hardware, this can be virtually any type of noise that your guitar makes that it really shouldn't: buzzes, rattles, clonks, etc. Using two people it is usually very easy to track down the source of the noise and tighten or replace the offending item. In acoustics, this can also be caused by loose bracing.

Causes and solutions to fret and string buzzing

Since hardware buzzes are generally very easy to track down and remedy, we will focus on the causes of fret and string rattle - the most common type of buzz and the one with the largest number of possible causes. However, it is worth bearing in mind that buzzes that appear to be coming from the very top of the neck could well be loose machineheads or bushes - if all else fails, target them.

BUZZING ONLY ON OPEN STRINGS and not when the string is fretted is generally caused by a worn-down or ill-fitting nut, which causes the strings to sit too near to the fretboard (and frets) at the top of the neck.
SOLUTION: Replace the nut or else use a shim to increase the height of the nut. Also ensure that your guitar is set up properly.

LOCALISED BUZZING to only one specific area of the neck (for example: on the fifth fret but not on the forth or sixth) is caused by unlevel frets - either one has sprung, is loose, or is very worn.
SOLUTION: Secure any loose frets, level frets across the entire length of fretboard (or as much as is necessary) and dress the frets.

BUZZING WHEN STRUMMING OR PICKING HARD but which does not occur when the guitar is played lightly can be caused by a number of things:
NOT ENOUGH RELIEF IN THE NECK: Adjust the truss rod.
BADLY SET UP: Set up the guitar.
STRING GAGUE IS TOO LIGHT: Use heavier strings.

BUZZING EVERYWHERE ON THE FINGERBOARD but possibly not if notes are fretted particularly hard is generally a sign that the frets are either too low/small, or else need replacing.
SOLUTION: Replace frets.

BUZZING NEARLY EVERYWHERE and the strings are virtually touching the fingerboard in the middle or bottom-end (furthest from the headstock) of the neck is generally a sign that the truss rod is too tight and causing back-bow.
SOLUTION: Adjust the truss rod.

So there you go, that's all the main symptoms and causes. As you can see, most of the problems are remedied by either adjusting the truss rod or worn frets so take a close look at your frets for wear grooves and try setting up the guitar and truss rod properly.

If all else fails, take it to a technician.