Fret buzz is when a string vibrates against a fret it's not supposed to touch. It's one of the most common problems we see — and one of the most misdiagnosed. Here's how to figure out what's actually causing it.
Not All Fret Buzz Is a Problem
First: a small amount of fret buzz on an acoustic that only appears when you're playing hard and only on certain strings is normal. Professional guitars are set up with low action that produces a little buzz unplugged — it doesn't come through the amp and it makes the guitar easier to play. If the buzz is subtle and only happens when you dig in, it may not need fixing.
If the buzz is consistent, happens on multiple frets, or comes through the amp, that's a real problem and it has a specific cause.
Action Too Low
The most common cause. If the strings are too close to the frets, they'll buzz when they vibrate. This happens on guitars that came from the factory with low action, guitars that have been adjusted by someone who went too far, or guitars where the neck has shifted over time.
Check it by playing each string at each fret and noting where the buzz occurs. If it's happening everywhere, the action is probably too low across the board. If it's happening in one area, the cause is more specific.
Neck Relief
Guitar necks aren't supposed to be perfectly straight — they need a slight forward bow called relief to give the strings room to vibrate in the middle of the neck. Too little relief (a flat or back-bowed neck) causes buzz in the middle frets, typically around the 5th to 9th fret range.
You can check this by holding down the first fret and the last fret simultaneously and looking at the gap between the string and the 7th or 8th fret. There should be a small gap — about the thickness of a business card. No gap means the neck is too flat. This is a truss rod adjustment, which is part of a standard setup.
Neck relief changes with humidity and temperature. We see this constantly in Upstate New York — a guitar that played fine in summer comes in buzzing in January because the heated indoor air dried the neck out and changed its geometry. See: How Humidity Affects Your Guitar.
High Frets
If the buzz is isolated to one or two specific frets and happens on multiple strings at that position, a high fret is the likely cause. Frets can rise over time, especially on guitars exposed to humidity swings. The high fret catches the string before it should.
This is a repair, not a setup adjustment. A high fret needs to be leveled and recrowned. It's not a complicated job but it requires the right tools. Bring it in.
Nut Slots
Buzz on open strings specifically — strings that buzz when played open but not when fretted — usually points to the nut. If the nut slot is too low, the open string sits too close to the first fret and buzzes. This is a nut replacement or nut slot fill, depending on how far off it is.
Player Technique
This one is uncomfortable to say but it's true: a lot of fret buzz is technique. Fretting too far from the fret, not pressing firmly enough, or fretting at an angle that doesn't fully seat the string will all cause buzz. Before assuming the guitar needs work, make sure you're fretting correctly — fingertip, close to the fret, straight down. If the buzz goes away when you adjust your technique, the guitar is fine.
We don't say this to dismiss the problem. We say it because we've seen players spend money on setups for guitars that didn't need them. If you're not sure, bring it in and we'll tell you honestly.
The Diagnostic Order
- Buzz everywhere, all frets? Action probably too low — needs a setup.
- Buzz in the middle frets (5th–9th)? Neck relief — needs a truss rod adjustment.
- Buzz at one or two specific frets across multiple strings? High fret — needs leveling.
- Buzz only on open strings? Nut slots too low — needs nut work.
- Buzz that goes away when you fret carefully? Technique first.
Bring It In
Fret buzz diagnosis takes about two minutes at the bench. Most fret buzz issues are resolved with a setup at $79. Some need repair work. We'll tell you which before we do anything.
Paul's Guitar Hideout is located at The Shirt Factory in Glens Falls, NY. Use the Cooper Street entrance and take the stairs up. If you need assistance, give us a call and we'll come down.
The Shirt Factory
71 Lawrence St., Suite 201B, 2nd Floor
Glens Falls, NY 12801
Wednesday–Sunday, 12–5pm
(518) 217-8695 · info@paulsguitarhideout.com