String Buzzing.

by German Ominetti
(Chino, CA)

Hi Trevor,

I have a question that I cannot find the answer to. When I play the first string on the 4th fret, the string buzzes, kind of a ringing bell sound.

The strange thing is that it only does it on that string and on that fret. Do you know what's the cause of that?

Also would like to thank you for all your teaching and invaluable help. Have an awesome New year.

German Ominetti

Hi German,

Thanks for the nice comments, they're really appreciated.

In terms of the string noise, there are several reasons you can get buzzing noises. One of the main ones is the "action" of the string, which is to say the distance of the string above the fret.

If the construction of the guitar is poor and the neck proportions aren't right the vibrating string will hit the neck at some point along the guitar neck when you play a note further along, as you've described above.

It could also be the metal wound strings (4,5,6) unwinding, although you said it was on the first string so it's probably not that.

You could check to see if the ends of the string (either wound in the capstan of the headstock or the other end touching the soundboard where the string is threaded through at the bridge) is vibrating against something when you play the note at the 4th fret.

Also, try to determine if it's to the left of the note on the 4th fret or to the right. You might just be able to locate just where it is buzzing.

Failing this I'd take it to a guitar repair shop and see if they can locate the problem.

Hope this helps,

Kind regards,
Trevor M.