Fret Buzz

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Member Since: May 10, 2007

Hey guys i bought a gibson L4a acoustic and i love it to death. it had some fret buzz and i had the frets filed down. the action is actually a bit high so its not that the action is too low. anyways at this guitar fix it store it is guaranteed for 90 days. well there is still alittle bit of fret buzz on the low E and A. should i take it back and have them work on it more considering its 2000 dollar guitar? or is it something that i will never be able to get rid of fully :-(? any encouraging words be great! i hope i can get this guitar perfect that i can play it hard and not have any buzz!

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Member
Since: Jul 02, 2003


Jun 22, 2008 06:55 am

Well I wouldn't have let them file the frets, and I wouldn't have too much confidence in a shop ready to file frets for a buzz (unless one or more had been replaced and were a bit higher than the rest). Most likely all the guitar needed was the neck relief adjusted and that would be the next thing to do. The other thing would be the gauge of string you're using.

Dan

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Jun 22, 2008 11:09 am

Amen to that! Fret work is a cheap solution to a bigger issue. Having the neck work addressed first will keep the guitar in A1 condition, instead of lowering the value / playability / mojo of the guitar.

Maybe the shop you were at was trying to fix it for cheap, but I would at least take it to a luthier type repair guy for a second (maybe better) opinion.

For a guitar of that calibre, I wouldn't feel bad having it sent to a reknown luthier for him/her to inspect and give their opinion. I know my guitar guy is known by techs at Taylor, so that's the kind of rep you want your guy to have.

What's crappy is the guy moved from south michigan, to nevada, i think.

If nothing else, or if you can't find a luthier you trust, call up taylor. Their guys are very top-shelf, and ( I think ) they would repair / fix your guitar to A1 condition again. May not be cheap, but for a box that nice, it'd be worth it.

This is certainly one area where you don't want to skimp.

And, if you're getting the neck fixed by someone, you may want to have the frets inspected / replaced. Pretty cheap for a luthier to do (prob < 100$) and it'll bring the lady back up to great shape.


The Czar of BS
Member
Since: Dec 31, 2007


Jun 22, 2008 12:44 pm

have you tried to contact Gibson on this?

They have an excellent customer service. The longest I have ever waited was about two minutes.

Explain to them that the store that you bought it from was not meeting your needs on this.

They will either have you send it back to them, or give you the number of a service center in your area.

Member
Since: May 10, 2007


Jun 22, 2008 01:00 pm

hey guys first off you guys rule. feel better just reading here. i dont have warranty as i bought used. this guy is really really good, the best in pittsburgh. he did adjust neck relief and he just filed down 2 frets that were sticking up a bit. it killed 98% of the fretbuzz but when i downstroke on the low E it still has a bit.. i guess i should still push for it to be fixed as he said any worried bring it back. maybe he needs a little more relief put in the neck..

watch this funny/annoying video on fixing fretbuzz..this guy fixes guitars for foo fighters and such




The Czar of BS
Member
Since: Dec 31, 2007


Jun 22, 2008 01:50 pm

Great informative video.

Could really do without the little pop in characters.

Member
Since: May 10, 2007


Jun 22, 2008 02:10 pm

haha yeah SOO annoying but damn does that guy know what he's doing or what!

Member
Since: Jul 02, 2003


Jun 22, 2008 02:19 pm

Yeah that was a great video, agree on the extra characters, once or twice was funny, but after that more annoying than anything :D

Dan

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jun 22, 2008 04:23 pm

Yep, I wold take it in again until he has it done to your satisfaction. Any of the luthier's around here would do it the same until it is proper.

On the video, yep annoying pop in guest's but informative no less.

Member
Since: Jan 18, 2003


Jun 24, 2008 01:04 am

i was drinking and had some time to kill. mr fret buzz character never got old somehow. this was because of alcohol.

Answer:On a good day, lipstick.
Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004


Jun 24, 2008 12:14 pm

Sometimes it can be as easy as the nut or bridge. Factories sometimes set guitars up with the action a little high - thinking that people will tweak to taste later.

I would not file the frets unless it's absolutely necessary. As noted above, a good luthier will have you sorted in no time. "A good luthier" does not always equal "the guy who does set-ups in the guitar store."

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