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BBZGuitars Showroom:
Unit 33
Basepoint Business Centre
Lincoln Road
High Wycombe HP12 3RL

Showroom opening times are:
Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5:30pm
Closed: Sunday, Monday and UK Public Holidays

In special circumstances outside these times by arrangement.

Latest News

Poor set up is the main cause of Fret Buzz, says Bucks guitars specialist

But virtually all electric guitars buzz when played acoustically

17 February 2009 - BBZGuitars of High Wycombe has published a blog on the chief causes of fret buzz in new electric guitars. According to the Buckinghamshire based guitars specialist, poor set up coupled with player technique are the most common causes of fret buzz although the majority of electric guitars will buzz when played acoustically.

"Fret buzz occurs because strings vibrate in an elliptical path and rattle on frets further up the fretboard," said Steve Busby, BBZGuitars MD. "In the worst cases of poor set up, this can choke out the intended note completely."

"However, if fret buzz happens on an electric guitar when it's being played acoustically, this is fairly normal," said Busby. "That said, if you can hear it buzzing through the amplifier, attention to the set up is probably required."

Busby points out that the shorter the scale length of the guitar, e.g., Gibson's 24 ľ" scale, the more susceptible it is to acoustic fret buzz, particularly if the guitar is set up correctly with a low to medium action. This becomes even more prevalent when a higher gauge of strings is used, as most guitars are set up for .009-.042 or .010 - .046 gauge strings. The vibration path of the 5th and 6th string with higher gauge strings frequently causes fret buzz between the 7th and 9th fret.

The reason why a difference in scale length, distance from the nut to the bridge, is a factor is because a shorter scale length requires less tension to get a string to pitch. In addition, if the guitar is de-tuned to drop-D or even drop-C, fret buzz is virtually guaranteed but guitarists that do this tend to set a high level of gain on their amplifiers and any fret buzz is drowned-out by the amp's overdrive.

Other causes of fret buzz that can sometimes be found on new guitars include:

The guitar's neck is too straight or has a back bow, i.e. the truss rod is too tight.
The player's technique is flawed.
The action (string height) is set too low.
The top nut is badly cut (too deeply filed), causing strings to buzz when played open, however there is no buzz when the strings are played further up the neck or when a capo is used.
The odd high fret may cause fret buzz in unusual places on the guitar fretboard.
The guitar's neck is warped.
If the bridge is a Floyd Rose system, the springs and strings (at tension) are out of balance, badly.
The neck's set-up has altered in response to a change in atmosphere from the shop to home.

BBZGuitars has also found that the most common triggers of fret buzz on existing/older guitars are:

Heavier gauge strings were fitted to the guitar when the truss rod was set up but these have been replaced with lighter strings.
All of the strings were taken off the guitar at the same time causing the truss rod to flex.
The nut has worn down and needs replacement.
The strings have eaten into the saddle(s).
The guitar has been exposed to heat (or cold), beyond its tolerance level, e.g. it has been leant against a radiator or left in the back of a car in sub zero temperatures or direct sunlight.
Adjustments have been made to the guitar in error.

The complete blog on causes of fret buzz in electric guitars can be viewed at www.bbzguitars.co.uk/blog. For guitarists that experience fret buzz on their electric guitars when playing through an amp, BBZGuitars offers a fret buzz diagnostic and adjustment service from its High Wycombe guitars showroom in Bucks. A full diagnosis and set-up costs between Ł40 - Ł60, depending on time and materials.