Fret buzz

Willis

Willis

New member
I'm setting up a Strat and can't figure out how to do it. It's been a while since I've set up a guitar but I just can't figure out what to do. It's buzzing at mostly every fret, so I tried shimming the neck pocket and raising the bridge. It still buzzes when raised, but seems to be fretting out at the first fret though buzzing less at the other frets. What should I try doing? :banghead:
 
Re: Fret buzz

hmmm...... sounds like you need the Guitar Player Repair Guide.... the bible for most things guitar... You can get it at a lot of larger book stores, some guitar shops, or www.stewmac.com carries it as well...

first off setting up a strat right takes a fair bit skill... more then some would think.. It's easy once you know what to look for.... and over time it gets easier once you know what to look for.. but there is always something new to learn..

The Guitar Player guide will show how to set the truss rod, action, nut slot, bridge saddles, pick ups... and so on...

Judging by what you are saying it sounds to me like a few things are going on with that axe, but without seeing i can't really say for sure... my best guess is the truss rod is either been tightened too much (or basicly the neck is too straight).... Could be other issues... All guitar necks need to be bowed a little.... a guitar string when plucked rings out in a wide vibration and needs room to move....

Truss rod adjustments can be dangerous to the life of a neck if not careful... Have someone who knows what they are doing with a truss rod adjust it if you have never done it before... and read that Guitar Player book for tips...

PS-Shimming the neck is only for times where you can't get the strings low enough to the fingerboard
 
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Re: Fret buzz

Do you have an ohm meter? If so, place one lead on the string and then touch every fret. When the meter jumps, you have the fret that is causing the problem. Do every string individually and mark each spot. Gently file it then using a solid block, go over all the frets very lightly and use you small fine file to remove any burr's. Hope this helped.

If you don't have an ohm meter, they are quite inexpensive at Radio Shack or someplace like that. less than 20 bucks.
 
Re: Fret buzz

Shimming the neck pocket and raising the bridge is self defeating unless you need to change the neck angle, this doesn't sound like that problem at all. Take the shims out of the neck, then see how high you need to raise the bridge to get rid of the buzz. It really sounds like you need some relief in the neck. Go back to step one and try loosening the truss rod some (work in 1/4 turn increments until you find the right spot). It could also be that the neck is backbowed, has it been off a guitar for a long time with no string tension?
 
Re: Fret buzz

Just a thought here, but if it's fretting out at the first fret and not buzzing much elsewhere........I'd be checking the nut slots first as well as sighting the neck for relief. Did the guitar previously have larger strings, say 10's or 11's and now your going to 9's? If the slots in the nut are too deep causing it to fret out at the 1st, you more than likely need a new nut......but hey I'm no expert. +1 on Dales book (the Guitar Player Repair Guide)

I still refer to it from time to time. It'll teach you alot
 
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