Slight fret buzz.....

Denverdave

Denverdave

Resident Ragamuffin
I pulled out my acoustic for the first time in about two months on Saturday. I noticed a very slight buzz when fretting the 'G' string at the 2nd fret - and only that note. Everything else sounds fine. That one note sounds almost sitar like since it is barely touching the third fret (or so I think since fretting the 'G' at the 3rd fret sounds normal).

So I'm guessing the third fret has slightly lifted. Probably due to this being a very, very dry winter - even by Colorado standards. I try to keep the humidifier filled in the case, but obviously not enough. I took the strings off and I took my capo and applied it directly over the fret hoping the consistent pressure will drop it back into place.

If that does not work - any ideas I can do safely at home? I want to avoid a trip to the guitar shop if at all possible.
 
The first thing is to get a fret rocker or similar that lets you confirm what's happening.

It's quite likely that the second fret has a groove in it from playing a D chord, so a low 2nd fret rather than a high 3rd fret.
 
I agree with Grant; check first to make sure those frets are level first. But it very well could be humidity related issues too, so that's not a bad try.
 
I'll check the 2nd fret, but this guitar is fairly new and not played a ton so I would hope the frets are not that worn already. I didn't have time to check anything last night. I'll look tonight.
 
OK, my little lecture. Before you do anything to an acoustic guitar make sure it is properly humidified and stable. Signs of a dry guitar include flat or sunken top (a straightedge across the lower bout below the bridge should have about an 1/8 gap on each side - in other words, the top is domed), the neck seems to be over set (a straightedge on the fretboard is above the top of the bridge - it should be just touching the top), fret ends are sharp, finish is kind of wavy looking, possible cracks (center seam of the top). If its dry you can shim the saddle to keep playing it (you'll take the shim back out when you get it hydrated) but if you try to do anything else you'll just end up undoing it later. Put two heavy duty sponge baggies in the case (I put one inside the guitar, one by the headstock) and keep it in the case for a month - it might take longer but you want to see the neck go back down and the top to come up.

If you are certain the guitar is properly humidified then you can start chasing the buzz - the second part of my lecture is that I don't do anything until I've measured everything. Yes, rock the frets but also check first and 12th fret string height and relief. I liked to check nut slots by fretting at 3 and measuring the gap at 1, you should have a couple of thousands (measure all strings). I also like to fret each string at each fret and check the clearance at the next - again, you should have a couple of thou, possibly increasing as you go down the fretboard.

If the 3rd fret is actually high confirm by trying to get a thin feeler gauge between the fret and the board. If you can't work a 0.002 under the fret it hasn't lifted. If it has you probably can't force it down with a capo (I use the quill of my drill press to press in frets) - instead tap it down with a plastic faced hammer. Wick a little thin CA in the end of the slot and under the fret itself. You'll probably have to dress it.

Its rare for frets to come loose but does happen. Its common for guitars this time of the year to be dehydrated.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll get back to this tonight. I am guessing it is the humidity issue. This has been a brutally dry winter here. I did not have this problem last year with the guitar. I am also in a new house with a traditional furnace. Where I lived last winter had an ancient gravity furnace. Probably dried the air out less.
 
I left the guitar out and put my humidifier in the room for about 6 hours yesterday. Loads of humidity in there. It seemed to help a little bit, but not enough to completely get rid of the buzz. I cannot keep the room humidified full time so in the in case one will have to do. I'll try adding a second. Plus summer might take care of the issue - but it was the same issue - 'g' string at the second fret and that is the only buzz. Kinda sucks since I want to look into playing a few open mics, and getting another acoustic is out of the question at this point.
 
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