Get rid of fret buzz FOREVER! common guitar setup problems and basic fret leveling
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- čas přidán 9. 07. 2014
- I go over in detail what causes fret buzz and the most common reasons for it. I also teach how to fix fret buzz, some common setup mistakes, as well as an introduction to fret leveling at home on a budget. be sure to check out my videos about guitar repair, restoration, and custom builds here www.GelvinGuitars.com
I'm new in the guitar world. I have learned a lot of guitar repairs, lessons, and set-ups from you. Guitar Doctor Willie
First step: Remove frets
Congrats you now have zero fret buzz
@Jay Colten I hacked into your gfs as well, but it wasn't her Instagram
I thought zero fret buzz was when you have a zero fret and it's buzzing!
Wow, what a amazingly informative video! This should be required watching if you decide to even own a guitar. Thank you so much for your time to put something so time consuming and basically so much of yourself and not asking for anything in return. Nice job and thanks again.
I kinda agree and kinda don't agree with this being required watching if you want to own a guitar, agree because really, this stuff isn't rocket science, get used to it, get good at it and it doesn't take long, on the other hand, should you fully understand how combustion engines work and how to repair them in order to own a car? its definitely better that you do know in both cases, if you can repair your own guitars and cars, you can save a lot of money, but then, mechanics exist for a reason, just like guitar techs exist.
Personally, i'd say this SHOULD be required watching if you want to own a guitar, it'll make your life far easier in the long run if you really enjoy playing guitar but if you wanna fork out the cash to pay someone else to do a 15-30 min job, i mean, sure, i don't exactly want to rebuild injector systems or fix cam timing on a car either, but if you also happen to be quite talented at working on cars, maybe you'd rather not pay a mechanic, ya know?
@Kevan Who really gives a crap about what you think... What kind of troll posts something stupid like this to a post that’s over five years old? Moron!
@@budandbean1 jeez settle down dude, what crawled up you and died, after all, i did say i generally agree with your comment, its just a simple fact that some people aren't really that great with doing things like doing a full setup on a guitar, or even changing some spark plugs in a car, like i said, yeah, it'd be better if you can do it yourself, its really not that complicated once you've done it a few times but wheres the shame in paying a professional to do something even better than you can?
u sound like a scumbag
"What I'm doing is I'm trying to teach you how you can do the stuff at home, with limited tools."
Sir, you know the shit.
This is one of the most thorough and useful videos on the subject, and should dispel any myths and fantasies, well done
It's refreshing to know that someone really knows their stuff. Thank you for the insight. I'm an engineer and I'll give you two thumbs up for your expertise.
What an extraordinary tutorial. I have a healthy obsession with tuning and caring for my guitars and I am always interested in learning what professionals have to say about guitar problems and how to correct them. I appreciate how you kept the explanations technical but to the point. Thank you, Will!
Great explanations, and being graphically oriented, I love the diagrams. Especially when you are drawing "on the fly" while talking. Very easy to follow along...
I found your channel recently. I am impressed with your knowledge about guitar setup. I learned how to set up my guitars by myself, reading a lot of information on internet and some books. I agree with everything what you are saying about the fret buzzes and the truss rod adjustments. You are totally right. Your videos are the best ones on CZcams; there are no other ones with such accurate and precise knowledge and information. I just saw your last video talking about your condition. I am so sorry. But be strong. I can see you are a warrior, and you can deal with this. Don’t give in without fight. Wish you the best to you and your family...
This is the kind of quality content that makes CZcams so valuable. I learned more about guitar set up in this hour than I've learned in a loooooong time of piecing info here and there over the years. I now feel much more confident going into making adjustments, because I have a much better understanding how the various aspects of a guitar respond to changes.
A lot of people really liking the paint job on this guitar is kinda surprising to me. It looks like an episode of telitubbies blew up on it. Just my opinion though lol. Great vid!
check the 80's jackson, kramers , charvels, BC Riches.. all of em had fluorescent colors and custom airbrushed graphics
Took the words right out my mouth.
I was going to say it looked like a unicorn threw up on it, but teletubbies are apt as well.
The color only works on certain guitars, just like this color only looks great on a Lancia Stratos or Lamborghini Miura.
@DamageIncM Late to the party, but I'll be honest: its probably not the paint alone that makes it ugly. I love flourecent guitars but that together with the pick ups and the ... knobs (BLEH) ... just doesnt work that well. The damn thing looks like a duplo creation a 3 year old would make (if it accidently made a guitar shape).
Amazing video! I’ve watched countless truss rod/action/intonation videos and I could never get it quite right. This is THE best video out there and now my guitar is playing better than ever. Appreciate you!
Great video. Very very informative. Thank you for taking the time to share all these tips and not just how to fix, but helping us understand why and how it happens in the first place.
I have a guitar with fret buzz and absolutely no competent luthiers in my town. This video is an amazing resource, and after watching it, I believe I can actually fix my guitar now. I'll be ordering some tools and then getting to work on it. I also watched the other video you did on fret leveling and crowning. I think between the two videos, you covered it excellently. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos!
Ahhhh....a breath of fresh air!
I think I've encountered every single poor neck, fret, nut, saddle, intonation, and string issue/condition/relationship you've covered.
I called it the "Pawn Shop Guitar Education".
People trash their guitars set-up, or they have factory defects, so it sounds like crap.
Instead of learning these set-up topics...they buy more distortion/effects .....then "Pawn It"
I've scored some nice guitars this way.
I absolutely "Love" your custom guitars headstock design...very lined up!
80's Colorful too!
william amos I wish we had pawn shops in Denmark 😅
Thank you Will. People now days want to learn everything they need to know in a 5 minute video, but you simply can't cover everything in that time.Great video. I'm much more confident trying to find the issue I've been having...
so far best video I've seen about fret buzzing... thank you much! 21minutes in and already learned tons... usually everyone starts elevating the bridge so I was interested from the beginning when you actually explain why this may happen! good for you man.
Your video helped me find the problem I've had with my almost 30 year old mercury series Washburn. It was my very first guitar that was mine. I was getting buzz particularly on the B string in two locations. I kept thinking for years it was an adjustment issue. I found two very minute indentions on two frets on that string, exactly where it was happening. I was able to level my frets out removing the indentions and NO MORE BUZZ. Thank you for making this. Going to have it playing smoothly now. It does need cleaning and some adjustments (action, intonation) but for a long time I thought it would never play right again
Wow! What a great video! I can't begin to list all the things I've learned about guitars by watching this video. Not only is there tons of useful information in this video, it is presented in such a simple and concise fashion that even a guitar newb like me was able to understand the whole thing. I almost got hung up when you talked about the radius of the fretboard, but then it clicked and it was immediately clear. Obviously, if I want to know more about guitars, I should watch more of your videos. Thanks!!
Thanks for the in-depth and physics-style approach! You're a friend to the youtube community
Very informative and worth the watch. Looking forward to the next video.
For the nut-lovers: @25:00
This is HUGE for people wondering if their nut is the right height/ making sure their nut isn’t causing intonation issues:
Fret at third fret, your nut is the right height if there is a TINY gap between the string and the first fret. If you have buzzing between your first and third frets too, your nut is probably the culprit. This video is so helpful.
These videos have been incredibly valuable to me. Fixing up pawn shop clunkers has become a hobby of mine. Your videos have saved me loads of money and frustration. Thank you.....
To get my guitar building course or other videos go here gelvinguitars.com/shop/
Thanks for this video. A lot of the things that are in it I have known for years, but your experience has given you the ability to explain a few of my unknowns so that I have the knowledge to understand and fix the weird real world problems I have encountered and couldn’t find a cure for. I’m going back to even my best playing guitar and double checking certain aspects of the setups. I may discover something that I previously couldn’t remedy. Super good information. Thanks.
This video is absolutely amazing, clear explanations with great examples and drawings to help understand. Love it.
Great video , i love learning guitar science, and you teach it very well and make it understandable. I'm currently suffering from 3rd fret buzz on my high e, and 1st fret buzz on my low e. I took it to a luthier who gave me a full set up , but since the weather got hot my buzz came back in the exact same place. And this is preventing my action being where a prefer it. Now i know what to do , thanks buddy.
Your right about Guitar Center. In my area, they have no idea, on working on a Guitar. I was actually showing one of the kids how to make a saddle for an acoustic guitar. The kid did not have the proper tools to do it. All he had was sand paper.. He sad it took him hours to sand a bone nut, i was kinda in unbelief. Because Guitar Center, advertise that they have guitar techs...Very good video. I learned allot..👍🎸
Thank you very much for the information you provided in this lesson. However, the word you were trying to remember is a scarf joint.
You Sir are a complete genius in your knowledge and communication!
Thank you so much.
Awesome advices. I really like how you put the knowledge in my head and telling the things that I hear in the deeps of my mind. Brilliant.
Way cool I worked in a guitar shop for 5 years and your right on point. About gutter center and technic. My so called luthier boss would ask me why I was using a marker on the frets, but my machinist training worked well for guitar.. Nice work...
It's always fun in Nostalgia to go back and look at your videos. They will remain a staple on CZcams for eternity.
Excellent coverage of the concepts instead of just going in and filing the frets. Appreciate this.
God bless you man! That is a really good vid. Now I know why my new guitar has this fret buzz. Thank you!
As the 100th "Like/Subscriber," I would like to thank you for this Greatly Informative Video that exceeds all other videos on this subject combined.
- Ernie Leblanc
Thank you so much for all this practical information and demo.
Awesome job! I am (now working on it) an agressive picker so this makes so much sense and will be observing from now on to correct. thanks so much
This video is excellent. Very good content. I've been setting up and piecing together my own custom Strats for years.. and I still learned a whole lot.
By the way... love the yellow Strat!
Thanks for showing tips, your experience and the traps I can easily fall in when tinkering with my guitar..
Good vid. A guide I kind of use when setting the nut height is that the distance from the second fret to the string "when the first fret is depressed" should be the same as the first fret to the string when riding directly on the nut. Nice to have it just a tad more though as it does wear a bit from tuning.
You're the man. I'm glad to see some of the info I'd saved that disappeared coming back. Hope you're feeling well.
Just the best masterclass guitar tech videos on YT !!! Everybody who owns guitar must watch !!! this guy is just amazing teacher !!!
You sir, are a king! Thank you so much for these video's! They help a lot for people like me who don't have the expensive luthier tools, but still want to do some adjusting themselfs.
Man I like this video! It's great to see a video that explains everything without the bull**** in detail. This video is for someone who's making decisions on how to tackle many different buzzing problems with any style type guitar. If you're having fret buzz, this will explain in plain english and gives an understanding information. You offers users different decisions to accomplish many problems within different sincerious of fret buzzing.
Excellent video, with enough information and dry humor to keep me going. Thanks for taking the time to do this. I enjoy your nonsensical approach and delivery.
You, sir, are a lifesaver. I was messing about on the internet trying to find out why in the world is my MIM strat fret buzzing like crazy. Turned out to be the truss rod, that needed some tightening. Setup the guitar afterwards with fender recommended settings. Action: Str 6-5: 2.4 mm, 4-1 : 2 mm. It's perfect.
This is the video that every new guitar learner should watch. It contains tons of valuable information. Thanks!
Wow, I'm actually feeling pretty smart that you were one of the first guitar channels I followed, I'm up to probably 50 now. I just bought a Epi LP Custom and didn't realize until after the deal the frets are really worn down around 10 - 15 with flat places on a few strings and the action was so high when I got it, the guy said he liked it high but actually it just couldn't go any lower without buzz. So my new guitar is next to unplayable for me. Anyway I called one local luthier and it's going to cost me $125.00 to redress and polish.. and I'm just not very happy. But this video showed me there is hope. I'm going to watch it one more time as I prepare but thank you so much. I bet you get hate from some luthiers but I really appreciate how thorough and informative you choose to be.
Thank you so much. I would recommend your channel to anyone.
Good video. Lots of useful info. One tip that I think should be added is about the fingerboard radius. When leveling the frets, if you have a single radius neck, to maintain that radius your have to keep the sanding strokes parallel to the center line of the neck. If you follow the string lines than you create a compound angled fingerboard. If you have a compound fingerboard or want one that you should follow the string lines.
Great vid, straight to the point and answered all my questions about lousy fret buzz on my SG. Subscribed for sure!
Hey Will thanks for the awesomely detailed video, i applied what i learned and fixed issues that were nagging me on my setup.
this guy is absolutely bang on, learn from him. anyone that left a negative, stick to air guitar. simple. excellent Thank you for taking the time . Wish I had this 20yrs ago. A lot of us learnt the hard way., Again. Thank You
Thank you for the hard work and great content.
Delightfully captivating video.Thank you for sharing your wisdom and experience. You have a great approach with your teaching skills. I got so much back from this. thank you again!
I love the way you explained this, really nice job.
Just the diagram explained a huge amount of things to me. Thank you!
This is actually a very good video for ppl who dont have the tools for doing this kinda stuff at home, its not an easy task but with practice it will eventually be good, i have some videos to about frett leveling and crowning and such things.. :D
Joshua Caleb Are you ok? Take your meds, you might feel better!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge here. Very informative. I learned a lot!
This was a great video. Thank you! I was able to solve my issue with my setup causing me some fret buzz.
I’ve been playing guitar for 2530 years and just wanted to say thank you you’re very thorough on everything especially since last year I switched to a seven string I have a Jackson that I’m having fret buzz with just the first well the lowest be string and I figured it out because it’s a cheap plastic nut I’m gonna use your baking soda and crazy glue approach thank you keep up the awesome content
Damn you must be good playing for that long
Thank you so much! Really great info on guitar problems....having one of them this period..! At least I know why!
Great Vid ...down to earth & perfect information for travelling musicians on the road !! big thanks your the man to explain the nuts and bolts for the in the moment repairs ! x
Great video , probably one of the best there is for fret leveling there is.
Just would to say thank you for this vid. It helped my les paul turn into an awesome playing guitar now.
2 weeks I bought a new epiphone les paul standard pro honeyburst and have struggled to get a good setup,low action,easy and comfortable playing lp. No matter what I did it was terrible compared to my other guitars.
Well guess what had 1 fret that was just a tad low. I did everything almost exactly as you said and it's like a completely different guitar. I was on the verge of returning it to guitar center,it's the only shop in town.
I do have experience setting up guitars. I have played since 1990 but only ever owned guitars like ibanez rg570,Jackson dk2m,Jackson Rhoads, and some similar all with floyds.
I tried off an on for years to get a les paul but something always happened,stolen,taken from because of sketchy authorities and the last was ruined by guitar center. Never had one for more than week. Finally was able to get this one and it was terrible playing, but know I'm loving it.
So thank you again.
I learned more on this video than I have ever learned on any single CZcams video. Thanks for your time and effort making this stuff available to us players that need to learn as much as we can. I've learned that guitar playing is much like life. You are ALWAYS learning. At least most of us are. Videos like yours are INVALUABLE to most of us. Thank you!
That´s excelent! I´ve learned a lot about fret buzz in theses videos. Thank you for sharing these tips, because they´ll help people like me to not be fooled by some guitar techs, mainly in Brazil. I know there´s a lot good technicians, you don´t have idea how it´s hard to find a good and honest technician here! I can start to make some small repairs myself on my electric guitars from now on.
Beginner guitarist of 6 months here....bought a mim fender and had weird buzzing...I have a critical ear not being a new musician, and it just really bothered me...techs couldn't fix it and sold it thinking higher end guitar would be the answer...I think it was the sitar sound you mentioned and could have been solved had I known this! Great video! I am learning so much and wish I found your channel sooner! Exceptional explanations!!!! If you had a course I would take it!
Great video! Only thing you didn't really get right was your comment having to set tremolo flat. You can screw the springs in and block it flat like Clapton or float it a step and a half like Beck or set the float at 1/8 in like Leo recommended, or anything in between that floats your boat and still get it setup without buzz by doing all the other great stuff you said.
Thank you so much. Great explanations. Helped me a lot.
Great teaching !! Helped answer a few basic important questions necessary to start off right. It is a shame how many expensive guitars and necks on the market have horrible fret leveling if any! I was once replied by well known companies that fret leveling is such a personal thing that they don't offer it as part of the purchase. What B.S !! I don't know any guitar player that would not want to have the frets leveled and a buzz-free neck. I trust your explanations and you do know what you are talking about!!. Guys watch these videos , learn a lot and avoid being trapped by self proclaimed experts and waste money all the while remaining frustrated. I loved your comment about G.C. I have seen horrifying set ups and lack of care on expensive items have gotten horrible advice as well ( all about making the sale !). Anyway enough ranting I could go on for a while, I hope you put out more of these videos . The information is out there however Nobody tells you the Why's as if they are guarding the secrets. Thanks again and let's keep them honest !
Thank you Will. Thanks to your vid I was able to get rid of my Dean Deceiver fret buzz!
Wow, it's about time somebody explained all this . Excellent video!
thank you sir for making such an in depth video on this topic!!! I have completely ruined my action several times, thinking I knew what I was doing
My head can rest now, your video is awesome. THANK YOU!
On the first guitar I ever owned, there were slight distortions on the fingerboard. Some frets were higher than others. I didn't have a sanding bar. I had a brand new American made 16" bastard file with fairly fine teeth. It worked great! I think it was better than a sanding bar. Sandpaper can have height variations where it wraps around the end of the bar.
I was reinventing the process. I didn't have a fret rounding file and didn't know one existed. I just played with some flat-topped frets and I was happy.
Thank you so much
Now i know what to aim for with my first (of many I hope) 3 string guitar box builds
Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
It's nice to hear someone confirm the issues with a scarf joint..I have an Ibanez with a scarf joint and sure enough it frets out at the 1st and 2nd fret and when looking for a replacement neck on Amazon the affordable ones have a scarf joint..
The pushing down of the strings at the bridge at 34:37 (and also the nut) is something that my friend René Martinez told me about, what he used to do for SRV when he tech'd for him. One gig, Stevie said he was having trouble staying in tune and René realized he had forgotten to push doen on the strings after he changed them that day. So he never forgot since.
Well, the first of two cheap used guitars I bought to learn on is done and wow what a difference. Half of it's frets needed to be tapped back down and even after doing that the height of the frets were all over the place. It took me a long time but it was worth it to make sure I got it right the first time. Now on to the other one. That one also has the nut slots too shallow.
Great class! Appreciate your preparation and hard work.
Thanks a lot for your effort that give much information and induce a confident skill to repair a guitar fretboard.
Thank you so much for sharing this important knowledge and experience you have.
Great vid, for me a few turns of the bridge screw worked pretty well. Thanks.
Thank for the awesome video....did everything you advised and now no fret buzz!!!!! awesome!
Wow, this was insanely informative. Thank you VERY much!
Gelvin if I were in your position I won't sell my self cheap because you are highly skilled very knowledgeable and know what you are talking about , the worries are other people who are watching g will have only little information and this even worse , the best is to always refer the right jobs to the right people , and I salute you my friend
Thanks for going into such depth, this is the best video I've seen on this topic 👍
My father is western guitar maker for 45 yrs and he does everything exactly the same as you do in this video, only he checks nut height 1 fret further than you. I guess that makes very less to almost no difference. 12/10 tutorial. Great job mister.
just want to say thanks for a great video. I learned a lot of helpful tips for problems with my guitars. Your other voids card great as well.
new subscriber and I am glad I found you this video was awesome thank you... I am starting to work on my own guitars and I can use all the help I can so I don't screwing thing up hopefully!! I really feel like this was the best I have seen thanks again!!!!
Thanks, a lot of great information here. For those with aptitude and this info could really nail a set up. Remember however Guitar Center in regards to guitar set up is relative to the guy they employ, so it will vary store to store. I agree I would not chose them to do my work unless I had absolute positive feedback from those with successful outcome.
One of the best well detailed informative videos I have seen on this subject great job
The absolute best video covering this subject anywhere!
Wow, that is a lot of really useful information, a one-stop shop for problem solving. Thank you so much for this.
Thanks Will, this is what I do for fun! LOTS of great tips!!
Great videoWill. You certainly covered a lot of ground in this one. Very very informative. Well done.
Nice presentation Will, much appreciated. I would however have included the feeler gauge numbers for the musicians that do have them.
So funny when he said “that’s why plastic nuts suck…”. lol. I’m a beginner and am going to watch all of your vids on your channel. Thanks!