#1
|
|||
|
|||
beginner note buzz
My attempt to learn is less than a month old, and I am starting out with single notes, not chords, per the book I am using. The guitar has not been set up, yet. That will soon be possible though. It is very comfortable to play right out of the box.
I am trying to figure out why a note, any fretted note, does not sound correct. Examples would include playing the wrong note, or finger too far away from the fret. Sometimes a note will buzz. What would cause that? I tried to figure this out by feel, and the use of a mirror, without any luck. Thank you for your input.
__________________
5/2020-Yamaha FS800, natural top |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
Fret buzz could be caused by a few things. Like you mentioned, fretting too far from the fret wire will make the note buzz. A guitar that’s not set up correctly will also have buzzing issues. Example, action is too low, not enough neck relief or uneven frets. |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
So it really, really needs to go somewhere for a set up then? I thought this was a beginner student problem, not an instrument adjustment one. Will hate to part with it for however long it takes at the shop, but will when lock down lets me.
__________________
5/2020-Yamaha FS800, natural top |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Try several different fretted notes in different parts of the neck. Is it only in certain places? Only certain strings or certain frets?
Does it occur when you play softly, or only loud (i.e., making the string move more)? Does it occur even when you're sure you're fretting firmly (right up behind the fret)? Some buzzing can be nothing to do with how you're fretting - it could be a loose tuner, or (if you have a pickup) a loose control knob, or object inside the guitar. (Worst case scenario - and I have encountered it once or twice with the cheapest beginner guitars - is an internal brace that's become unstuck.) My guess - as you're a beginner and finding it easy to play! - is that it's caused by the action being too low. The usual beginner experience is that guitar playing is physically tough, often because the action is too high, but even when the action is optimal. But either way, a set-up will fix it. If it turns out your action is too low, you'll find the guitar will be a little harder to play, but you won't get the buzzing. One other (more remote) possibility is that your strings are too loose or too light. Is it properly tuned to EADGBE?
__________________
"There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." - Leonard Cohen. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
The tuners seem to be fine. There is no pickup, but something does rattle around inside the body. When I flip the instrument around, it sounds like a ball of construction debris bouncing around in the body. Tried to shake it out, but so far, no luck. A digital tuner is used to tune my mountain dulcimer, so I am sure the guitar is tuned correctly.
__________________
5/2020-Yamaha FS800, natural top |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
New guitars often come with a little bag of silicone to absorb any atmospheric moisture during transit. If it's that, it should be easy enough to get out, but then it wouldn't be the cause of buzzing.
__________________
"There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." - Leonard Cohen. |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
But provided you can actually play the instrument at the moment (and put up with the buzzing), I wouldn't worry about it until it's practical to get it done. It's not expensive (unless there is something seriously wrong), and well worth it.
__________________
"There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." - Leonard Cohen. |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
I can, and am playing the guitar now. The action on my guitar is much nicer, for me, than my son's low end dreadnought. He had it set up and it was one of two big reasons why I had serious doubts about me enjoying learning to play. Turns out a smaller body and lower action is what this compact gal needs, at least to learn on. I will take mine to a shop though to have it gone over. Bought the instrument online, sight unseen. The rattle concerns me, and a good set up will likely benefit me at some point in the learning process.
__________________
5/2020-Yamaha FS800, natural top |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
Nothing will keep you from playing more than an ill-playing guitar. A setup will be money well spent. |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
one beginner miss fire is hitting notes too hard (it's actually called "attack"). is it the case that no matter how heavy your attack is?
|
#11
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
The buzz is hit or miss, not consistent in any way I can determine. Now a new noise joined the party today. Don't know how to describe it, but clearly the instrument is asking for a trip to a luthier. My county is opening up some on Friday. I will get it set up as soon as I can. Happy guitar, happy student, at least I hope so. Will sign up for some lessons after the set up.
__________________
5/2020-Yamaha FS800, natural top |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
|