Buzz

An unwanted rattling or buzzing sound produced by a string meeting a fret, or by a loose part vibrating in sympathy.

String buzz is the common case: it means something in the geometry is too close or too uneven, whether that is action, relief, a high fret, a worn nut slot or a player with a heavy attack. Mechanical buzz is different and often worse, because a rattling saddle spring, a loose tuner washer or a buzzing bridge plate will do it at volume with no relation to technique at all. Separating the two is the first step in any diagnosis.

Example: a guitar that buzzes only when the low E is hit hard usually needs a touch more relief or a slightly higher saddle, not new frets.

Buzz

See also