Fret buzz can completely ruin the experience you have with a guitar. While some fret buzz is certainly normal and generally accepted by players who prefer lower action: sometimes it’s too much not to address. Before making any assumptions, you should first check your technique. Are you picking, plucking, or strumming too hard? Are you applying too little pressure on the string? Are you fretting in the right area- just behind the intended fret? Also, consider checking the string to see if it is kinked or bent (it may even be a good idea to swap your strings if you haven’t in a while). Is the severity of the buzz enough to be heard through an amplifier? If the buzz is heard only shortly after the attack, it can be much more acceptable than a sustained buzz. If you’re still convinced that the buzz is significant enough, then it is time to check the setup.
Neck Relief
A back-bowed neck, or a neck with an upward curve facing the strings, will most likely cause fret buzz somewhere on the neck. To check the neck relief, you can use the tap test. To do the tap test, use a capo or finger to hold down the first fret and, using your thumb, hold down either the last fret or the fret above where the neck and body meet (often the 17th fret). Then, tap at the fret in the center of the two points using your index finger. There should be some space between the top of the fret and the bottom of the string. In the case that there is no relief (or space between the fret wire and the string), the neck is backbowed. You may also “sight” the neck by looking down from the headstock towards the neck. By doing this, you may see the curvature of the neck. If you want to get a measurement, use feeler gauges. Feeler gauges are excellent tools for getting accurate measurements of this gap. Follow the same instructions as the tap test, but use the feeler gauge to measure the gap instead.
To counteract a back-bowed neck, you must add relief to the neck via the truss rod. The truss rod is most often on the headstock (just above the nut) or within the soundhole. Once you have located it, determine what tool will be needed to adjust it. If the instrument came with a truss rod tool, use that. Typically Allen keys or nut drivers are the tools that will do the trick. Now, while facing the neck, use the tool and turn counterclockwise. Make sure not to overdo it! Turn in small increments and tune between each adjustment. If you’re using feeler gauges, measure between each adjustment after tuning. Be sure not to add too much relief, as this will not allow the guitar to perform well. To add relief, simply turn clockwise instead.
NOTE: If the truss rod seems stuck, do not force it. Doing so could cause irreparable damage to the truss rod. In a case like this, have a qualified technician or repair person check it out.
Action
If the neck relief is okay but there is still buzz, the action (or string height) may be too low. It’s worth noting that players who prefer low action must compensate for some fret buzz. You should consider how much buzz you’re willing to accept if that is what you’re going for. You can use a measuring tool, such as an action gauge or a ruler, to measure the string height. Adjusting the string height on the guitar depends on what bridge/saddle type your guitar has. On a guitar with a Fender-style bridge, you would adjust the height on each string with the individual saddles. On a guitar with a Gibson tune-o-matic style bridge, you adjust the action by turning the screw to the sides of the bridge. If it is an acoustic guitar you are dealing with, it would be best to have a qualified tech work with it. Raising the height of an acoustic bridge may involve shimming or even replacing the bridge.
Uneven Frets
If you’ve got the action and relief set up reasonably well and there is still a considerable amount of buzz, then it may be an uneven fret causing the issue. Over time, strings will inevitably wear down a guitar’s frets. The constant rubbing motion and pressure from the strings onto the fret wire can cause small pits in the frets. In extreme cases, you can quite clearly see it. Factors such as the material your fret is made from and the gauge string being used can determine the life of the frets. For example, fret wire made from softer materials such as nickel will wear down quicker than stainless steel fret wires.
To check an uneven fret, you will need a fret rocker (an action gauge could potentially work too). Place the rocker on three frets with the “buzzy” fret in the middle. Next, check to see if there is a rocking motion. If there is, then the middle fret is uneven. A little rock between the frets should be okay, so compare it with others to get a feel for how much is acceptable.
In the case that you do have a high fret, it’s best to have a qualified repair technician to get it properly taken care of. It’s possible the fret has popped out of its slot and will need to be carefully seated with a rubber or brass mallet. The high fret may also need to be filed or sanded down to a level height. If you attempt this, be extremely careful that you don’t take too much material off. This would make the situation worse and result in having to replace the fret.
Humidity Damage
Since the guitar is a wooden instrument, humidity does affect your guitar. Dry conditions may cause an acoustic’s top to sink into the body. Consequently, this will bring lower action and that atrocious “buzzy” sound. Low and high humidity levels can also cause the neck to warp, which is not ideal. Investing in proper humidification systems is highly recommended to avoid this happening. Store your guitar in a case with a humidification system and a hydrometer for the best results. If you suspect your guitar has been damaged by humidity, bring it to a qualified repair technician.
Final Considerations
Without any prior experience with guitar maintenance/setups, it may seem a little intimidating to make adjustments to your guitar. Though it is probably best to find an experienced guitar repair tech to properly diagnose the issue, you can certainly learn the basics on your own. Just know when to seek help. If you wish to have your guitar optimized and rid of buzz, consider getting it PLEK’ed or leveled for the best results.
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