String Buzzing on my SE Custom 24

[swoop]

I took my guitar to a local store for a set up and nut replacement about 2 weeks ago and once I got it back I noticed the first fret notes were sharp, so I took it back to them. I suggested the issue was caused by the nut slots on the pre-cut Graph Tech nut being a little too high, but I was told that an intonation adjustment would fix the issue. Now a few days after getting the guitar back again, there is clearly audible buzzing when I play the open strings and on fretted notes all along the board, which has led me to believe that the nut slots do in fact need filing. I should note I had never had any of these problems before having them set up the guitar, and the reason I had the nut replaced was for the improved tuning stabilily.

Today I took it to the store again. One guy told me that for a guitar of this price point (£799), the buzzing is just a part of it. Is he right? I wouldn't think so, since I never had this problem before, but maybe I'm wrong. Another guy told me that I would be able to fix the issue by filing the nut slots down a little, which is what I had suggested in the first place. But I don't have guitar nut files, that's why I took it to the store - to have them do it. Those things are not expensive, I'm not willing to blow that much money for something I wouldn't need if something else I payed a lot for was done correctly.

I've contacted a reputable luthier in my area about this, and he told me that unfortunately because of the 1 month lockdown here in the UK, but that he'll be able to take a look at it once the lockdown is over. Most likely the lockdown won't end in just the one month so it'll probably be a while before I can get anything done.

Is there anything I can do to try to reduce the buzzing in the mean time? And was the guy at the store right about it being a problem I will just have to deal with forever?

 

[SinSir]

Check the action height

And no this isn't something that's "just part of it" He's full of it

 

[strummer9]

A little buzz is normal as long as you can't hear it through the amp. You can't have both low action and zero fret buzz unplugged.

 

[swoop]

A little buzz is normal as long as you can't hear it through the amp. You can't have both low action and zero fret buzz unplugged.

Even setting my action uncomfortably high I'm getting buzz on open and fretted notes. I never had this problem before.

 

[swoop]

Check the action height

And no this isn't something that's "just part of it" He's full of it

I have tried increasing the action, but I still get buzzing on open and fretted notes. But in any case, I would think after having a guitar set up 'professionally', it shouldn't come back with issues it has never had in the past. Thanks for the help though.

 

[strummer9]

Even setting my action uncomfortably high I'm getting buzz on open and fretted notes. I never had this problem before.

On open notes I agree would be unusual. Might have a raised fret somewhere. Where on the fretboard does it buzz?

 

[swoop]

On open notes I agree would be unusual. Might have a raised fret somewhere. Where on the fretboard does it buzz?

Tuned to Eb I get it everywhere except maybe the highest 6 or 7 frets. In standard E it's from around the 7th to 15th fret.

 

[Nice F Holes]

You need to find a different luthier. I've never had a buzzy electric guitar after being properly setup. It could be action height, neck relief, a high fret, a bad edge on the nut or bridge, etc. All of that can be addressed. But to speculate what it is and what correction is needed without a proper evaluation is not possible or appropriate.

 

[SinSir]

I have tried increasing the action, but I still get buzzing on open and fretted notes. But in any case, I would think after having a guitar set up 'professionally', it shouldn't come back with issues it has never had in the past. Thanks for the help though.

I agree and you are right to question the "professional" set up.

 

[swoop]

You need to find a different luthier. I've never had a buzzy electric guitar after being properly setup. It could be action height, neck relief, a high fret, a bad edge on the nut or bridge, etc. All of that can be addressed. But to speculate what it is and what correction is needed without a proper evaluation is not possible or appropriate.

Yeah I'm planning to take it to one near me, he's just unable to take any guitars until this 1 month lockdown here in the UK is over. He seems pretty reputable so I'll give it a shot, I'm just a little bummed out that I payed for a set up that doesn't seem to have been done right.

 

[strummer9]

Yeah I'm planning to take it to one near me, he's just unable to take any guitars until this 1 month lockdown here in the UK is over. He seems pretty reputable so I'll give it a shot, I'm just a little bummed out that I payed for a set up that doesn't seem to have been done right.

Do you know how much neck relief you have?

 

[swoop]

Do you know how much neck relief you have?

I'm unsure how to measure or describe how much relief I have, but I've tried adding a little relief, and I haven't found much of a difference.

 

[SinSir]

I'm unsure how to measure or describe how much relief I have, but I've tried adding a little relief, and I haven't found much of a difference.

Look down the neck from the bottom of the guitar to the headstock along the side and see how much bow you have in the neck. Like checking at a pool cue if that helps

 

[Nice F Holes]

I'm unsure how to measure or describe how much relief I have, but I've tried adding a little relief, and I haven't found much of a difference.

The technical way to do this is: hold down the E string at the first fret (capo helps), hold down the string at the highest fret, and measure the space between the bottom of the string and the 12th fret.

I would recommend not making too many changes if you're not sure how to diagnose - you don't want to compound any issues or make it more difficult for the luthier to diagnose. If you want to do things yourself, ask lots of questions and we can try to help you, but you want to be methodical and do one thing at a time.

 

[SinSir]

If you don't have a capo a rubber band and a pencil or something will help give you a third hand. Put the pencil flat over the string and wrap the rubber band around the each side of the pencil across the back of neck until its tight.

 

[SinSir]

Maybe this will help