A peculiar string buzz

Trent in WA · #1 01-23-2021, 07:49 PM

Hi y'all,

My Huss and Dalton OM-C has developed a weird string buzz. If I'm capo'ed at the 5th fret and play the 7th-fret B (i.e. 2 frets up from the capo) on the high E string, there's a pronounced sitar-like buzz. If I play the same B without the capo on, there's no buzz, and the same B played with the capo at the 4th fret (or indeed with the capo at any fret except for the 5th), there's no buzz either. The buzzing happens regardless of what kind of capo I'm using. The neck relief is within H & D's specifications and is on the high end of what they recommend.

Any ideas?

Trent

#2 01-23-2021, 08:10 PM

Could be "back buzz": http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Luth.../backbuzz.html

warfrat73 · #3 01-23-2021, 08:11 PM

I was thinking that too. Try muting the strings behind the capo.

I'm assuming the frets are in good shape?

Trent in WA · #4 01-23-2021, 09:01 PM

That's the first thing I thought, too. Still buzzes.

jspe · #5 01-23-2021, 09:42 PM

My guess one or two frets right there are just a bit high. Scrub down on them a bit with a wood block might do the trick

mmasters · #6 01-23-2021, 09:57 PM

Could be a clip on guitar tuner too. I had that happen a few months ago where the tuner was up against one of the tuning pegs and made a buzz on particular notes.

otis66 · #7 01-23-2021, 10:03 PM

Check your guitar for dryness and also check the neck adjustment. Check fret height with fret rocker.
Also sometimes frets pop up a bit and need to be taped back down.

Mandobart · #8 01-24-2021, 02:38 PM

Almost every buzz I've encountered on any type of fretted instrument was caused by a loose tuner button.

If the buttons are held on by screws, check to make sure they're tight. If they are pressed/glued on buttons, wick some thin super glue in where the button is mounted on the shaft.

Misifus · #9 01-24-2021, 04:50 PM

I suggest getting a fret rocker. That will help you locate individual frets which may be a little high or a bit low.

Trent in WA · #10 01-25-2021, 07:28 PM

Thanks for the recommendations, y'all! I've come to the conclusion that the problem is probably a slightly high fret, combined with slightly too-low action on the E string. I think the guitar could probably use a setup with some bridge tweaking.