Fret buzz; Guitar Shop was no help

[IhaveAbellyButton]

I have a new "Strat" style guitar. Body and Neck are all from Warmoth. I recently took it to the local guitar shop to have the frets leveled/dressed, as well as a full set up. This particular guitar shop has a terrific reputation, and does quality work.

However, the shop called me and explained that they could not get rid of the awful fret buzz on all the strings, particularly on the low E. They could not explain why the buzz was still there, as it was evident on all frets, and even sounded when the electronics were completely stripped.

Anyone have any ideas, suggestions, even experience with this "unexplainable phenomenon?" I have spent alot of time and resource on this guitar, and would appreciate any help to make this instrument easy on the ears.

 

[chunktone]

I don't care how good their rep is, you need to take it somewhere else.

 

[glip22]

I have a new "Strat" style guitar. Body and Neck are all from Warmoth. I recently took it to the local guitar shop to have the frets leveled/dressed, as well as a full set up. This particular guitar shop has a terrific reputation, and does quality work.

However, the shop called me and explained that they could not get rid of the awful fret buzz on all the strings, particularly on the low E. They could not explain why the buzz was still there, as it was evident on all frets, and even sounded when the electronics were completely stripped.

Anyone have any ideas, suggestions, even experience with this "unexplainable phenomenon?" I have spent alot of time and resource on this guitar, and would appreciate any help to make this instrument easy on the ears.

Could be allot of things. A good chance its your nut as all strings are buzzing. Its probably too low or high. The shop must not be very good if they could not offer you an explanation, like your neck is warped, etc. I have been doing my own setups for years now, Floyd and non Floyd bridges. I would never ever let anyone touch my frets other than someone like Suhr or someone equally as good. Its a rare case to find a local tech who can do frets properly. They think they know what they are doing and will gladly take your money.

 

[nighttrain69]

definatly,try another shop, its sounds like the nut is cut to deep if its on all frets on the low E ..or possible a warped neck

 

[IhaveAbellyButton]

They did not charge me for any of the set up or fret leveling, mainly because the fret buzz baffled them. Although, in my opinion, the guy did a wonderful job of fret leveling. They also slotted the nut to the proper heights. It seems like all that could be done was done, but I will try taking it elsewhere, however.

Thanks for the advice about the neck possibly being warped. I never took that into complete consideration, mainly because the buzz seems to be everywhere, and the guitar adjusted just fine. Something to look further into though, definately.

 

[Death by Uberschall]

I don't care how good their rep is, you need to take it somewhere else.

This and contact your Warmoth salesman, they are top notch over there.

If it's buzzing on all frets as you say, the neck relief may be too shallow and the action is set too low.

I now have four (4) full Warmoth guitars and they are all great.

 

[shredi knight]

definatly,try another shop, its sounds like the nut is cut to deep if its on all frets on the low E

A nut cut too deep will only cause buzzing on open strings, not fretted ones. Once you fret a note the nut height becomes irrelevant (except for feel/playability). It sounds like either the bridge is set too low, there is not enough relief in the neck, the neck is warped, or the frets are still not leveled (or a combination of any of those).

 

[Skrapmetal]

definatly,try another shop, its sounds like the nut is cut to deep if its on all frets on the low E

A nut cut too deep will only cause buzzing on open strings, not fretted ones. Once you fret a note the nut height becomes irrelevant (except for feel/playability). It sounds like either the bridge is set too low, there is not enough relief in the neck, the neck is warped, or the frets are still not leveled (or a combination of any of those).

Nut cut a little too deep can cause buzzing behind the fretted note.

Here's a good resource of lots of possible sources of buzz: http://www.frets.com/fretspages/luthier ... zlist.html

Really good site. If the neck isn't warped and the frets are level (and crowned nicely), it should be something you can solve with a setup.

 

[glip22]

Might be a neck angle issue. Shimming one end of the neck pocket could be it. Their are lots of things to rule out.Send it to me. I love doing setups. Back when I was hanging with other players, they would give me their guitars often to set up. Where are you located?

 

[fluff191]

I drive past Warmoth everyday on my way to work. Want me to stop by and yell at them?

Seriously, find another shop.

 

[BeZo]

I have ran into this on a guitar before. Oil the bridge.

It may seem weird, but sometimes the set screws rattle in the bridge and cause a buzzing that sounds like the strings fretting out. Especially with the lower strings because they vibrate with more oomph. When you oil the bridge with some mineral oil, it will coat the screws and keep them from rattling.

I had a customer bring me an ESP LTD Clockwork Zombie Viper with that problem. It drove me nuts. I could not get rid of the buzz. I put relief on the neck and raised the bridge was a mile high and still got a buzz. It turns out it was a screw in the bridge rattling. I soaked it in oil and it went away. That is why I oil bath every bridge I get just to make sure. I gave that guitar a great setup and he has been a life-long client so far. He tipped pretty heavy too.

Try oiling the bridge and see if that helps. Either way, let me know when you figure it out. Good luck!

 

[sixstringking713]

Might be a neck angle issue. Shimming one end of the neck pocket could be it. Their are lots of things to rule out.Send it to me. I love doing setups. Back when I was hanging with other players, they would give me their guitars often to set up. Where are you located?

this is the first thing that came to my mind, maybe its a neck angle issue

 

[chunktone]

What area are you in? there are a couple really good shops here in Nashville. Joe Glasier is the guy I go to. Suhr also does good work, has a PLEK machine, and their prices are reasonable.

 

[GuitarGuyLP]

I have a Warmoth V, and I had this same problem on the low E up til about the 7th fret. I found that one fret was loose. If the strings were off it was hard to tell, but if I listened really close to the fretboard while playing on the low E I was able to find where the buzz was coming from. I put a drop of super glue under the fret, and put a little weight on there until it dried. I now have no buzz, and I run a 7 string set on there tuned to drop C, and just leave the high e string off, so very heavy strings.

 

[IhaveAbellyButton]

Thanks everyone for all the help. Really appreciate it.

For those of you who asked, I am actually located in Northwest Ohio, a seemingly music dead-zone. Guitar repair shops are far inbetween, but I am going to keep trying the few that I know.

Oiling the bridge, as mention by BeZo, is a completely unheard of suggestion here. It interested me the most, as it may just be crazy enough to work.

 

[chunktone]

Thanks everyone for all the help. Really appreciate it.

For those of you who asked, I am actually located in Northwest Ohio, a seemingly music dead-zone. Guitar repair shops are far inbetween, but I am going to keep trying the few that I know.

Oiling the bridge, as mention by BeZo, is a completely unheard of suggestion here. It interested me the most, as it may just be crazy enough to work.

You may want to look into shipping you guitar to Suhr for a set-up. I would sooner do that, than just hope to accidentally find a shop that can do the job.

Let me know if you want the contact info for Joe Glasier. He's the go to guy here in Nashville.