Guitar chord forum - chordie — FRETBUZZ when lifting fingers off strings

Re: FRETBUZZ when lifting fingers off strings

null@example.com (Zurf) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 13:51:45 +0000

Oh good! A happy ending.

- Zurf

Re: FRETBUZZ when lifting fingers off strings

null@example.com (billogreeno) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 05:18:23 +0000

Hi "Mekidsmom". Well I sanded down the nut on my guitar this morning and, of course, sanded it too far!! I've now padded it out a bit and it's fine. I used my friends Takamine guitar as a guide for string height and now it is exactly the same as his. The difference is very noticeable now and it's much easier to play. I can now concentrate on my finger positions as it is so much more relaxing to play and any fretbuzz that I was experiencing is greatly diminished. It's still a bit buzzy on barre chords but that is just me, still struggling with those but all in all, I'm very happy with it now. So good luck with your sanding, I'm sure once you get it right it will make all the difference as it did mine. Nice videos on your website. Good luck, Bill.

Re: FRETBUZZ when lifting fingers off strings

null@example.com (mekidsmom) — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 10:06:18 +0000

well, after this past weekend I can say... my strings are still too high. Pix actually handled my guitar but only for a minute and straight away said that the action was quite high... so I'm off to the sanding block some more. Interestingly enough, I didn't notice a lot of buzz over the weekend after the little bit of lowering I had already done.

So Bill, I think you and I are simply in need of some more tweeking to our guitars. No doubt a professional set up would help, but that takes all the fun out of it! LOL! BEST WISHES!

Re: FRETBUZZ when lifting fingers off strings

null@example.com (billogreeno) — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 14:00:50 +0000

As a postscript to my problem, I have been playing my friends Takamine guitar and noticed straight away the the nut was lower than my LAG guitar. This, I found, made it much easier to play. Consequently, I found I was able to concentrate more on my finger positions when playing chords, rather than anticipating any fretbuzz. This relaxed me more and I found the fretbuzz was not an issue. So, in summing up, I will need to adjust the nut on my guitar and make sure the action is right for my comfort. I never realised that there are so many variables to being able to play a guitar and what a difference string height can make. Thanks again for all your input and help. Bill.

Re: FRETBUZZ when lifting fingers off strings

null@example.com (billogreeno) — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 04:47:39 +0000

Hi again. Yes Zurf, it does make it better when I put my finger right next to the fret, it doesn't eliminate it entirely though. I am tending to mute certain chords with the palm of my right hand just before I lift my fingers off, this obviously will stop the buzzing, it works but it's not always desirable. I don't own a capo so have never tried playing the guitar with one on. It could be worth giving that a try. The frets are all very smooth, the guitar isn't that old and I tend to really look after it so there are no obvious signs of wear on the frets. With all the good advice that has been given to me, the thing that is starting to make the most sense is the humidity factor. As I mentioned before, we are experiencing very cool and dry conditions in Brisbane at the moment. Brisbane is famous for it's high humidity (similar to Florida) in the summer months. This problem does seem to have occurred at the onset of our winter. I have recently restrung the guitar thinking that this might help. The strings are Elixir polyweb custom light (.011-.052). Are any guitar strings more susceptible to buzzing than others? Sorry Guitar Pix. I hope I'm not causing you any sleepless nights! I do appreciate yours and everyone else's help and advice.

Thanks to all, Bill.

Re: FRETBUZZ when lifting fingers off strings

null@example.com (Guitarpix) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 23:11:10 +0000

Out of curiosity, Does it do it when capoed? Any wear/divots showing on the frets under the ones giving you trouble? Sorry for all the questions but this will bug me too until it's sorted

Re: FRETBUZZ when lifting fingers off strings

null@example.com (Zurf) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 11:16:55 +0000

Put your finger right up next to the fret when playing and release straight up. See if that helps. If it doesn't, then I suggest crying uncontrollably while looking at guitar shop web sites until your significant other (if you have one) recognizes the need for you to purchase a different guitar.

You may also want to try a humidifier in your guitar.

My guess is that it is the nut. I say that because I have no skill whatsoever at this sort of thing and it's a wild guess on my part. But thinking about how a guitar works, it kind of makes sense.

- Zurf

Re: FRETBUZZ when lifting fingers off strings

null@example.com (billogreeno) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 10:46:01 +0000

Thanks for your replies. I have actually played a friends guitar, a Takamine. It seemed much easier to play than mine and the action seemed slightly lower than mine. I didn't experience the same buzz, although I only played it for a short while. It felt like my LAG felt when I first bought it, nice and easy to play. I am willing to admit though that my technique could be adding to the problem. I have only small hands and I started playing my guitar quite late in life, well very late in life (at 56!!).

Mekidsmom, it seems like you are having similar problems to me. It's quite frustrating isn't it. I just want to practice and the buzzing is a sort of side issue that stops any enjoyment. I guess I'll concentrate on my electric guitar till the more humid summer months and see if that makes a difference. Enjoy your visit to the Martin factory, sounds very interesting, don't forget to take your credit card!! Bill.

Re: FRETBUZZ when lifting fingers off strings

null@example.com (mekidsmom) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 09:47:49 +0000

Good suggestion Roger! Since I'm having a similar problem, I thought I'd chime in here that I checked my string height and had sighted down the neck as Pix suggested. Sure enough, the neck had some amazing curve to it. I adjusted my truss rod (ever so gently a little at a time) and then pulled the saddle out again and filed that down a bit more. Then, I changed to lighter strings. My buzzing seems to have subsided SOME. I think what's left is ABSOLUTELY technique and I'm going to play around with my husband's guitar to day to see if I'm getting the same sounds. I think I'm quite lazy when I'm playing. I do think it is entirely possible that my saddle is/was slightly uneven too.

Bill, I feel your pain. I'm heading to the Martin Guitar factory for a visit tomorrow and quite tempted to fall in love with one and give away this one. LOL!

Re: FRETBUZZ when lifting fingers off strings

null@example.com (Roger Guppy) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 06:22:12 +0000

Hi Bill and welcome,

I would suggest that you get a friend to play your guitar and you play his to determine whether it is the guitar or a technique fault.

Roger

Re: FRETBUZZ when lifting fingers off strings

null@example.com (billogreeno) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 02:24:20 +0000

The neck has a very small relief which seems ok. All the frets seem nice and level with no obvious problems there. I might not be explaining my situation very well. The buzzing doesn't occur on any open string but occurs on the fret that I am playing only, as I lift my finger off I get a buzz only on that particular fret as I release the pressure on the string. I quite agree with zguitar that it might be a playing thing, I can accept that. It's just that when I first played the guitar it had none of these problems and was very forgiving. Now I have to be absolutely precise in my playing and play a chord/note right on the fret to minimise the buzzing. It makes it quite nerve-racking to play rather than nice and relaxing as it used to be. The strange thing is, I used to play a yamaha and that was fine at first but then developed the same problem as this one. I sold that and bought my LAG which I loved. It was as different as chalk and cheese to playing my Yamaha. Maybe the answer lies there somewhere. Thanks again.

Bill.

Re: FRETBUZZ when lifting fingers off strings

null@example.com (Dirty Ed) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 01:35:24 +0000

The last time I had a buzz on an open string, I found that one of the tuning keys was a little loose and a washer was rattling (this was on a Martin ). As already mentioned, there's a good chance that the nut might need a little work or replaced. At times when I've set up a guitar using Nashville high tuning, the larger grooves cut in the nut for the wound strings are just too big for the smaller gauge strings so they tend to buzz a little. I'm guessing the same thing would happen if the nut were a little worn.

Re: FRETBUZZ when lifting fingers off strings

null@example.com (zguitar) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:52:22 +0000

I'll throw something else out here. Sometimes when I'm playing a faster tempo song I sometimes fudge my chord changes so the last up strum sorta has a buzz to it. Seems to happen mostly when I scratch,mute,chop, whatever you want to call it. Anyway, my point is that maybe it could be a playing thing a not a guitar thing.

Re: FRETBUZZ when lifting fingers off strings

null@example.com (Guitarpix) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:34:41 +0000

How is the neck set now? Flat or with some relief (curve)? Sight down the neck and you want a "very" slight up bow. How much of an up bow depends on how level your frets/fretboard is and your style of play so it's impossible for me to say how much. You can run a guitar at 0 relief (totally flat) with low action but it has to be a perfectly flat fretboard... Chances are you'd need to get the frets professionally leveled. While you're sighting down it be sure to look for any twists or any high spots like where the fretboard meets the body. Examine your frets real closely and make sure they all are flush and tight all the way across the board.
The truss rod is only supposed to be used to set neck relief, not as a way of lowering the action. The action is adjusted at the saddle. Hmmm.... Speaking of the saddle, there's also a chance it's uneven... Measure the action of the 1st and 6th string at the 12 fret and lets see how that looks too.

These are real simple videos I did quickly for tony when helping him set up his guitar. They're very casual but you may find some helpful info in them... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjXMH7Uw8G4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KdBZ3vL5ZY

Re: FRETBUZZ when lifting fingers off strings

null@example.com (dfoskey) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 22:24:26 +0000

A lifted fret may be the culprit causing the unfretted buzz which is usually caused by climate changes that cause the neck woods to expand just enough for a fret to move. As for buzz while fretting it could be due to a neck adjustment. MkM if you've had your guitar for over a year it may be time to tweak the trussrod to straighten the neck back up. Another thing could be fret wear which can be releveled easily by a exprienced guitar tech.