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Buzz Diagnosis Start Page
© Frank Ford, 1998, 2000; Photos by FF, 1998, 2000


Just follow the links. I've listed probable causes under the various symptoms, but don't be too quick to rule out the others from the Big Buzz List.




The buzz appears to come from the neck or peghead


The buzz appears to come from the body (bridge, etc.)


Can't tell where the buzz originates? - It's best to try both of the above.


Not a buzz, just a "dead" note or string

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Rap on the neck, and you get:
(Remember to make sure the instrument is tuned to pitch, and that all tuners have string tension on them.)

• A loud rattle from the peghead

• A loud rattle from the inside of the neck

• An exceptionally tiny, light noise from the peghead

• Nothing

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Peghead rattles when rapped:

Prominent mechanical rattle at peghead:

Loose Gear Parts

Loose Truss Rod Cover or Nut

Loose Truss Rod

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Tiny, light, "fuzzy" noise at peghead:

String Interference

Stray String Ends

Loose Gear Parts

Low Nut

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Neck rattles when rapped:

Loose Truss Rod

Loose Truss Rod Nut

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Neck and peghead are silent when rapped:

Back Buzz

String Interference

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• Buzz is prominent on "attack" of note

• Tiny buzz or "fuzzy" attack

• Buzz begins as the note is ringing

Prominent buzz on "attack" of note:

• At most or all fret positions

• Only in certain general areas of the neck

• At certain individual fret positions

• At only one fret position

• Only in "open" unfretted position

Buzzes at most or all fret positions:

Low Action

Light Strings

Relief

Low Frets

Low Saddle

Flat Saddle

---

Uneven Frets

High Action

Deeply Notched Saddle

Technique

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Buzzes only in certain general areas of the neck:

Relief

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Buzzes at certain individual fret positions:

Uneven Frets

Loose Fret

On one String Only:

Dented String Winding

String Deformed over Fret

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Buzzes at only one fret position:

Uneven Fret

Loose Fret

On one String Only:

Dented String Winding

String Deformed over Fret

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Buzzes only in "open" unfretted position:

Low Nut

Nut Slots

Bent String at Nut

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Tiny buzz or "fuzzy" note on attack:

Flat Saddle

Flat Frets

String Windings

Low Saddle

Deeply Notched Saddle

String Balls

Stray String Ends

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Buzz comes as note rings for a while:

Rap on the body and you get:

• Prominent rattling noise in particular areas

• Noise, but it doesn't matter where you rap

• Nothing

Prominent body noise in a specific area when rapped:

Loose or Broken Braces

Loose Top or Back

Body Cracks

Loose Parts

String Balls

Loose Plies

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Same noise, no matter where the body is rapped:

Loose or Broken Braces

Loose Parts

String Balls

Body Cracks

Loose Plies

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No body noise when rapped:

Back Buzz

String Windings

String Interference

Pickguard

Loose Bridge

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Sometimes it's not a "buzz" but a dead note or string, or a general "fuzzy" sort of tone.

• Dead or dull only in open, unfretted position

• One (or more, perhaps) string dead or dull over all

• One or more strings give a "sitar" or "fuzzy" tone over all

• Dull tone over all or most strings

• A single, or a few dead notes at specific fretted positions

Dead or dull only in open, unfretted position

Nut Slots

Low Nut

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One (or more, perhaps) string dead or dull over all

String Windings

Low Saddle

Deeply Notched Saddle

Fuzzy String Winding

Loose Tuner

One or more strings give a "sitar" or "fuzzy" tone over all


Low Saddle

String Windings

Deeply Notched Saddle

Low Action

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Dull tone over all or most strings - watch out! This one can be very subjective.

Dead Strings - Hey, they do wear out, get corroded and dead, especially the wound ones.

Low Saddle

Saddle Material

Flat Frets

String Windings

Low Frets

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A single, or a few dead notes at specific fretted positions

Most acoustic stringed instruments have a resonant air cavity and body, which respond best at a certain frequency, and likewise have a specific frequency of lower response. These notes are not a matter of "pathology" so I'm not trying to treat that subject in this discussion.


Loose Fret

Flat Frets

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