String buzz on the 1st fret!!!

[The JEM Ghost]

I am experiencing fret buzz on all 6 strings when they are fretted against the first fret (so the strings are not buzzing against the first fret actually, but against the second one) of an Ibanez RG505 (Edge trem, double locking FR-style bridge).
It only has string buzz there, and maybe the tiniest bit when fretting against the second fret (but the buzz against the 2nd fret is neglectible, it's just the tiniest bit) no other places on the fretboard where this problem occurs.
I don't expect the action to be causing the problem, but raised it anyhow such to check, no improval when the action is set higher unfortunately, but as expected.
My own guess is that the truss rod probably needs to be adjusted, I have tried putting pressure at the back and at the end of the neck (putting pressure at the back of the 1st fret) and that seems to help, so I guess I need to adjust the truss rod to get rid of this problem??
I have checked the relief, and there is no relief when I fret the 1st fret and the one where the neck joins the body, I know this is wrong, but would this be the reason why I get the buzz when fretting against the 1st fret? I guess so, but would like your opinions guys!

Any input on what may cause the string buzz on the first fret??

Thanks in advance for any advice!!

 

[trevorus]

Re: String buzz on the 1st fret!!!

You might need some nut shims to bring it up slightly. Also check and see if your fret might be popping out.

 

[dave74]

Re: String buzz on the 1st fret!!!

If it's only happening on the opens when played (buzzing against the 1st frets),,,, then shims.
Just make your own out of some thin metal. Try about .25mm to start with. (a soda-can is like .1 or just over (for reference sake)).

 

[AlexR]

Re: String buzz on the 1st fret!!!

Its either the nut being low, or the 1st fret has lifted a bit.

Is this something that is new or has it been happening for a while??

 

[vinta9e]

Re: String buzz on the 1st fret!!!

Which guitar is it, exactly?

I remember a young man bringing two Indonesian Ibanezes with the exact same problem. It was caused by a slightly proud (too high) second fret. Since Occam's razor excludes random errors from being repeatable, I conclude the root cause of this should have been jig fault. A fret job and setup fixed them both for good.

 

[The JEM Ghost]

Re: String buzz on the 1st fret!!!

If it's only happening on the opens when played (buzzing against the 1st frets),,,, then shims.

Crap I did not describe it well enough, that's my fault!! I'll edit my post to make it more clear what the problem is!
There is no string buzz when the guitar is played open, only when you actually fret the strings against the first fret, and only there, nowhere else on the fingerboard. Like if you would bar an F-chord and then remove your pinky, ring finger and middle finger from the board, it'll buzz over all 6 strings.

Which guitar is it, exactly?

It's an Ibanez RG505 that was made by Fujigen in Japan.

 

[Wolfshead]

Re: String buzz on the 1st fret!!!

Sounds like the second fret is high.

 

[ICTGoober]

Re: String buzz on the 1st fret!!!

It's also possible your truss rod is a bit too tight....

 

[vinta9e]

Re: String buzz on the 1st fret!!!

It's an Ibanez RG505 that was made by Fujigen in Japan.

Good, then it's unrelated. Try a fret rocker upon frets 1-3.

 

[dave74]

Re: String buzz on the 1st fret!!!

Sounds like the second fret is high.

^^^I'd speculate it's this then.


If it was buzzing only on some of the strings then I'd guess a grooved first was the problem.
Look closely at the first fret for a flattened-off crown and/or grooves.

If the neck needed more relief you would likely be getting the buzz on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, maybe even up a bit more.

 

[Darg1911]

Re: String buzz on the 1st fret!!!

You already stated that there is no relief. Slacken the truss rod to add some relief. Definitely try this before shimming or messing with the frets.

 

[The JEM Ghost]

Re: String buzz on the 1st fret!!!

You already stated that there is no relief. Slacken the truss rod to add some relief. Definitely try this before shimming or messing with the frets.

I will do this for sure, as soon as the 7mm "bucket type" wrench has arrived that I ordered to adjust the truss rod, couldn't find one laying around unfortunately. I would have tried it (if I had one laying around that is) before bothering you guys with my problem. I hope a truss rod adjustment will fix the problem, I 'll keep you guys informed as soon as the tool arrived! I won't shim the nut, since there is no string buzz when the strings are played open, only when I fret the strings against the first fret. When I put some force on the back of the neck at the 1st fret area, the problem seems to lessen a lot, so I keep my hopes up for the string buzz being caused by too little relief in the neck.

Sounds like the second fret is high.

As stated above, I sincerely hope a truss rod adjustment will fix the problem, because if it doesn't, it will be most likely a high 2nd fret, which I would totally hate since a fret leveling job would cost me some serious money over here! Unfortunately I don't have a fret rocker, but I've checked with a ruler, and the frets seem to be leveled in the problem area. So I keep my hopes up that a truss rod adjustment will fix things (after all there is no neck relief at the current setting).

Thank all of you guys for your input, and I will update my thread as soon as I am able to adjust the truss rod when the wrench arrives!

 

[vinta9e]

Re: String buzz on the 1st fret!!!

You don't need to buy anything... an old credit, debit card or id could offer reasonably straight edges to let you check for fraction-of-a-millimeter gaps ) but why check when you can speculate sorry for being sarcastic, i would like to help you somehow nonetheless.