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Every guitarist, from complete beginners to seasoned players, has experienced it: that irritating metallic “buzz” that sneaks into your sound. You pluck a note expecting a clean, ringing tone, and instead, there’s an unwelcome rattle. This common issue is called fret buzz, and while it might sound alarming, it’s usually easy to fix — often in just a few minutes.
Fret buzz occurs when a vibrating guitar string makes unwanted contact with one or more frets on the fingerboard. Instead of vibrating freely, the string brushes against the metal fret, creating a sharp, buzzing sound that can range from a slight rattle to a full “clank.”
It’s one of the most common complaints we hear from guitarists — and the reassuring truth is that it rarely signals a serious problem. Guitars are precision instruments made from wood, and that wood naturally expands, contracts, and shifts with changes in humidity, temperature, and string tension. Over time, these subtle changes can affect how the strings sit over the frets.
There are a handful of reasons why fret buzz can appear, and most come down to the fine balance of setup and environment:
Action too low – The “action” of your guitar refers to the height of the strings above the fretboard. If the strings are too close, they’re more likely to hit the frets when played, especially with a strong attack.
Neck relief issues – The slight curve or “relief” in the guitar neck is crucial. If the neck is too straight or bowed backwards, the strings may not have enough clearance in the middle frets, leading to buzzing.
Uneven or worn frets – Over time, frets can wear down unevenly, causing certain areas to sit slightly higher than others. This can lead to localized buzz on specific notes or strings.
Environmental changes – Wood is sensitive to humidity and temperature. A dry climate can cause the neck to shrink or flatten slightly, while high humidity can make it bow forward — both scenarios can affect playability and tone.
Old or loose strings – Worn strings can vibrate irregularly or sit unevenly in the nut or saddle slots, creating unwanted buzz even when the guitar’s setup is otherwise correct.
The good news is that fret buzz is almost always fixable — and often with simple adjustments. Here’s how a guitar technician or luthier will typically approach it:
Check the neck relief
Using a feeler gauge or by sight, they’ll inspect the curve of the neck and adjust the truss rod if necessary to restore a gentle, even bow.
Adjust the action
If the strings are sitting too low, raising the bridge saddle slightly can give them the clearance they need to vibrate freely.
Inspect and level the frets
In cases where certain frets sit higher than others, a fret dress or leveling can smooth out inconsistencies for a buzz-free playing surface.
Replace strings or check nut slots
Sometimes, new strings or minor nut adjustments can make all the difference.
In many cases, just a quarter-turn of the truss rod or a millimetre of extra string height is all it takes to eliminate fret buzz entirely.
While it’s possible to make small adjustments yourself, a professional setup ensures your guitar is playing at its best. A setup typically includes truss rod adjustments, saddle height corrections, fret polishing, intonation checks, and fresh strings — all fine-tuned to your playing style.
Because guitars are sensitive to seasonal changes, it’s a good idea to have them checked at least once or twice a year. Think of it like a car service: regular maintenance keeps everything running smoothly, sounding great, and feeling effortless to play.
If your guitar is buzzing, don’t panic — it’s one of the most common and least worrying issues in the guitar world. Almost every instrument will need a setup from time to time, and once adjusted, your guitar will sound clearer, play better, and feel more responsive than ever.
A well-maintained guitar isn’t just easier to play — it inspires you to play more. So if fret buzz is getting in the way of your music, bring your guitar to Acoustic Centre for a professional setup or service. Our experienced technicians can assess your instrument, make the right adjustments, and have it playing perfectly again.
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