Fix Guitar Fret Buzz in Redding, CA

String buzz is one of the most common reasons people bring guitars to TuneUp Guitar in Redding. The good news is it’s usually easy to fix once we find the cause. The trick is finding the real cause, because buzz can come from a few different places.

Common causes of fret buzz

• Action too low. The strings sit too close to the frets and hit them when they vibrate.
• Neck too straight or back-bowed. Not enough relief makes the strings hit the frets in the first few positions.
• Uneven frets. A single high fret causes buzz on the notes just below it.
• Worn nut slots. Open strings buzz when the slots are cut too low or worn down.
• Old strings. Dead strings vibrate unevenly and can buzz more.
• Loose parts. Sometimes the buzz isn’t the strings at all. Loose tuner nuts, a rattling jack, a pickguard screw, or a loose truss rod can all buzz.

How we track it down

• Play the guitar and note which strings and frets buzz
• Measure neck relief and action
• Check frets with a straightedge for high spots
• Check the nut slots
• Tap and listen for loose hardware

Then we fix the cause, not just the symptom.

Typical fixes

• Truss rod adjustment to add neck relief
• Action adjustment to raise the strings a touch
• Seating or leveling a high fret, or a full fret level and polish
• Shimming or replacing a worn nut with a nut replacement
• Tightening loose hardware
• A fresh set of strings

Buzz after the weather changes

Redding’s dry heat and seasonal swings make guitar necks move. A guitar that played clean in spring can start buzzing in the middle of summer. Usually a small adjustment is all it takes.

Not sure if it’s fret buzz or electrical?

If the noise comes through the amp even when you’re not touching the strings, it’s probably electrical. See hum and noise troubleshooting.

Bring it in

Bring your guitar to the shop on Redcliff Drive in Redding. We’ll find the cause and tell you what it needs before any work starts. Players come in from all over the Redding area.