Chasing the Mystery Buzz

Start here or go to the Big Buzz List.

The buzz appears to come from the neck or peghead

The buzz appears to come from the body (bridge, etc.)

Can't tell where the buzz originates? - It's best to try both of the above.

Not a buzz, just a "dead" note or string

Buzz appears to come from neck or peghead

• A loud rattle from the peghead
  
• A loud rattle from the inside of the neck
  
• An exceptionally tiny, light noise from the peghead
  
• Nothing

Peghead rattles when rapped:
Prominent mechanical rattle at peghead:
Loose Gear Parts
Loose Truss Rod Cover or Nut
Loose Truss Rod

Tiny, light, "fuzzy" noise at peghead:
String Interference
Stray String Ends
Loose Gear Parts
Low Nut

Neck rattles when rapped:
Loose Truss Rod
Loose Truss Rod Nut

Neck and peghead are silent when rapped:
Back Buzz
String Interference

Buzz appears to come from bridge or body:

• Buzz is prominent on "attack" of note
  
• Tiny buzz or "fuzzy" attack
  
• Buzz begins as the note is ringing

Prominent buzz on "attack" of note:

• At most or all fret positions
  
• Only in certain general areas of the neck
  
• At certain individual fret positions
  
• At only one fret position
  
• Only in "open" unfretted position

Buzzes at most or all fret positions:
Low Action
Light Strings
Relief
Low Frets
Low Saddle
Flat Saddle
Uneven Frets
High Action
Deeply Notched Saddle
Technique

Buzzes only in certain general areas of the neck:
Relief

Buzzes at certain individual fret positions:
Uneven Frets
Loose Fret

On one String Only:
Dented String Winding
String Deformed over Fret

Buzzes at only one fret position:
Uneven Fret
Loose Fret

On one String Only:
Dented String Winding
String Deformed over Fret

Buzzes only in "open" unfretted position:
Low Nut
Nut Slots
Bent String at Nut

Tiny buzz or "fuzzy" note on attack:
Flat Saddle
Flat Frets
String Windings
Low Saddle
Deeply Notched Saddle
String Balls
Stray String Ends

Buzz comes as note rings for a while:

• Prominent rattling noise in particular areas
  
• Noise, but it doesn't matter where you rap
  
• Nothing

Prominent body noise in a specific area when rapped:
Loose or Broken Braces
Loose Top or Back
Body Cracks
Loose Parts
String Balls
Loose Plies

Same noise, no matter where the body is rapped:
Loose or Broken Braces
Loose Parts
String Balls
Body Cracks
Loose Plies

No body noise when rapped:
Back Buzz
String Windings
String Interference
Pickguard
Loose Bridge

Dead Note or String:

• Dead or dull only in open, unfretted position
  
• One (or more, perhaps) string dead or dull over all
  
• One or more strings give a "sitar" or "fuzzy" tone over all
  
• Dull tone over all or most strings
  
• A single, or a few dead notes at specific fretted positions

Dead or dull only in open, unfretted position
Nut Slots
Low Nut

One (or more, perhaps) string dead or dull over all
String Windings
Low Saddle
Deeply Notched Saddle
Fuzzy String Winding
Loose Tuner

One or more strings give a "sitar" or "fuzzy" tone over all
Low Saddle
String Windings
Deeply Notched Saddle
Low Action

Dull tone over all or most strings - watch out! This one can be very subjective.
Dead Strings - Hey, they do wear out, get corroded and dead, especially the wound ones.
Low Saddle
Saddle Material
Flat Frets
String Windings
Low Frets

A single, or a few dead notes at specific fretted positions

Most acoustic stringed instruments have a resonant air cavity and body, which respond best at a certain frequency, and likewise have a specific frequency of lower response. These notes are not a matter of "pathology" so I'm not trying to treat that subject in this discussion.
Loose Fret
Flat Frets