Back Buzz

[Dustin Owens]

I get some pretty bad fret buzz when playing on the 7th and 9th frets on the E string. Would replacing the strings help do you think, or is replacing the nut the only real option?



It's sounds worse then it is on my phone speaker, but it still distracting.

 

[Turnaround]

How much relief do you have? Too little or even some back bow will cause this. Set the relief right first and report back.

 

[walterw]

that and maybe the nut needs to be shimmed a tiny bit higher.

 

[Dustin Owens]

How much relief do you have? Too little or even some back bow will cause this. Set the relief right first and report back.

Well that's a relief ( no pun intended ). It seems to be low if I remember. I will try this first when I am back at the office and report back, thanks!

 

[Zooberwerx]

It's far too easy to inadvertently kick a neck into the dreaded "S" curve when setting relief on a compromised fingerboard (ski jump, sketchy fretwork, etc). I'd start by dropping in some relief, perhaps .012-.014", and re-evaluating.

Riis

 

[Axstar]

I'd start with changing the strings! If only one string is buzzing (and the thickest at that) then it suggests a local issue to that string. A string need only have a small twist, manufacturing error or wear spot to develop these symptoms. If the issue persists with new strings then you can move onto the trussrod. If all strings were buzzing on frets 7 - 9 then the trussrod would need checked.

We can rule out a nut replacement straight away however. If the open strings were buzzing then this would suggest the nut slots are potentially cut too low, and the strings are bottoming out on the first fret. The nut doesn't come into play once you are fretting notes, other than shallow nut slots causing intonation issues and giving your left hand more work to do.

 

[Turnaround]

We can rule out a nut replacement straight away however. If the open strings were buzzing then this would suggest the nut slots are potentially cut too low, and the strings are bottoming out on the first fret. The nut doesn't come into play once you are fretting notes, other than shallow nut slots causing intonation issues and giving your left hand more work to do.

Actually, the nut is in play when fretting notes. If it's too low, you can get back buzz, just like this case. To isolate the problem, you ensure the strings are good and the relief is set properly. If they are OK, there is either unevenness of the frets, or the nut is too low.

 

[Dustin Owens]

A bit over a quarter of a counter clockwise turn to the truss corrected the issue! Thank you all for your input, it was very much appreciated.