My guitar is buzzing?

Question

I have a cheap guitar which I am using because the string has broken on the good one. When I play it (the cheap one) I get a buzzing soud but when I put my hand on the strings it stops. Can I do anything to stop it buzzing without having to put my hand on it?

Answer 1

tune it

Answer 2

I would need a lot more info in order to help. Is it an electric or acoustic guitar? How much do you know about guitars? More than likely it's a problem with the neck. When a guitar buzzes it's because the string(s) are vibrating against one of the frets. This can be corrected in a number of ways (mostly depending on your knowledge of guitars). The easiest way to adjust the action. This is done by raising the strings at the bridge (the bottom of the guitar). If the guitar has a truss rod, then you may need to adjust that. The hardest way is to actually file the frets so the are perfectly level (but you probably don't want to try that).

Answer 3

change the damn strings on the good one! OK rant over. Buzzing comes from three places:

(a) straggly bits of string sticking up around the machine heads or (if classical) near the bridge, touching something else lightly and buzzing

(b) cables or other pick-up related shoit inside the guitar not being fixed down properly

(c) structural problems

If (a), bend the straggly ends out of the way of other things

If (b), try to tidy up the inside (but don't stick stuff to the soundboard)

If (c), take the guitar to a guitar doctor if it's a good guitar, but since it isn't, don't bother.


Oh by the way, my answer so far is for mechanical buzzing. Gagger's answer is if it is electrical buzzing. To add to gagger, don't use cheap cables (ever, ever, anywhere), and do make sure you've got the impedance matched right between guitar and amp. If it's an active pickup (found on most acoustics and on some electrics) check the battery - stupid things happen when they go low.

Answer 4

Sounds like the action is too low and the bridge needs raising a little bit so the string doesn't make contact with the frets all the time. Most retailers are really lazy these days and don't bother setting guitars up properly before selling them to their customers. Always ask for a set-up.

Answer 5

JCPenney guitars and Walmart guitars are beginner guitars. You will always have that sort of thing with less expensive ones. The amp has more to do with it than the guitar though. Save you bucks is all I can say. We've all been there once.

Answer 6

Either the strings need replacing or there is something wrong with the action on the guitar. Unless you know what your doing, I suggest that you don't mess with the action; let a guitar shop do that for you!!

Answer 7

rub the strings with soap, and i mean a bar of soap not the liquid one. Dry bar of soap up and down the strings should stop the buzzing.

Answer 8

Yeah Go call someone and see if they know/help you fix your guitar. In other words you need new strings.

Answer 9

try a new nut, that can somtimes be the problem. and yeah, dead strings never help. i change mine atleast once a month, depending on the quality of the strings.

Answer 10

Check the earth of the guitar cable it could be loose or frayed

Answer 11

check your ground or try another patch cord
this is common in old cheap guitars