Buzzing behind the fret

mandocaster · #1 01-11-2008, 09:21 AM

I don't know about you, but I spend a lot of time practicing when I'm not plugged in. I noticed the other day that in the middle of the fretboard, i.e., the 5th-10th frets, on the E string, there is an annoying buzz behind the fret. That is, between the fret and the nut. I don't think it affects the amplified tone, but it sounds awful acoustically.

Anyone else plagued by this phenomenon?

202dy · #2 01-11-2008, 09:35 AM

It is called back buzz. It is usually caused by a high fret behind the fretted note. Sometimes it is because there is a section of frets that is high. That seems to be the case here. It might be a case of extreme relief. Or there may be a hump in the fingerboard. Or it could be that the last fret dressing was not all it could be. Or it could be that there is a lot of wear in the frets on the bridge side of the offending section. Or it could be due to fretting hand techique. Hard to tell without seeing the instrument and using straight edges on the fingerboard to locate the specific problem(s).

The easiest thing to diagnose is relief. Check the relief and post here. Someone will help you.

mandocaster · #3 01-12-2008, 08:30 AM

I tried the easiest fix possible. loosening the truss rod aboout a half turn eliminated the problem. I bet you are right that there is a high fret or two, or some irregularity in the fretboard. A little more relief did the trick, but a careful fret dressing would allow for lower action.

202dy · #4 01-12-2008, 09:27 AM

If you have the tools and know how, have at it. If you do not know how to perform this work take it to a pro.

I forgot to mention the first rule of luthiery as it relates to solid body electric instruments:

If it doesn't buzz through the amp, it doesn't buzz.