The first is a mechanical or “guitar fret” buzz from high frets or very low action on a guitar where the frets haven’t been leveled on the guitar fret board. This kind of guitar buzz rarely translates through an amp.
Musical instrument diagnosis and repair involves identifying the source of playability or sound issues and performing the necessary maintenance or fixes. While some minor maintenance can be done by the owner, many issues require the expertise of a professional technician to avoid further damage.
My friend Curtis called me when he discovered the cause of a recent “mystery guitar buzz” thought to be in his guitar but instead when he switched off his “push-on” style knob in his music studio to operate on the dimmer lights the “buzz” disappeared. He asked if I knew about that. Sure I knew about it. Sometimes we forget to share information with our friends until they jog our memory. Thanks Curtis! Now that you reminded me of the buzz. Musicians have a lot to deal with during performances: club owners, equipment failures, another band playing on their stage tonight because someone double booked etc. It also reminded me to share some solutions with my guitar playing friends to make their lives a bit easier. For example these are typical causes:
Power issues: Faulty power supply or internal components.
Unstable audio signals: Problems with internal wiring, circuit boards, or output jacks.
The second type of guitar buzz is an “electronic or electrical guitar buzz” from extraneous and malfunctioning electronics, poor ground circuits, loose guitar ground wire and variable resistor switches. These inline with the circuit the amp is plugged into can wreak havoc. For this problem solver we’ll concentrate on the most common forms of electrical buzz that drive musicians wild.
What Curtis discovered was how a rheostat acts in a circuit with a guitar amp. What is a “Rheostat”? Simply, a device used to regulate an electric current by increasing or decreasing the resistance of the circuit. Some common uses of a rheostat are to dim stage and room lights, to control the speed of an electric motor. They are used to control the volume of a “house” sound system. It’s usually in the form of a push-push on-off wall light control button in place of a light switch. They are used to lower the lights in a room,club, on-stage, in-studio and drive musicians wild. Armed with this information you are now more prepared to do something.
Some solutions: Calm down. Think. Get your heavy duty extension cord. Look for alternate sources of power in the room. You’re looking for an isolated output, ensuring that any electrical noise and interference present on the incoming power supply is filtered out. Try each outlet until the buzz is gone in which case you are no longer in the circuit with the problem. If you still have a problem check to see if you are using a three prong plug. That is important. Most of all you need a good ground. Therefore be sure you have all three prongs working due to any ground issues
Another effective solution to use is a “power conditioner”.
Why? First of all, it has an isolated output, thereby ensuring that any electrical noise and interference present on the incoming utility supply is filtered out. Simply put, a “power conditioner” is used for surge protection and noise filtering. The rig I use has an amp top mounted 3 space rack. There is a power conditioner in one of the spaces (see photos below). As a result if you use a power conditioner or try all of the above solutions something is bound to go right!
Buzz Kill – There Are Two Kinds Of Guitar Buzz……
Since power line conditioners provide effective and reliable protection against voltage fluctuations they clean up line disturbances. They deliver an enhanced level of power protection consequently referred to as a ‘CLEAN’ supply. – See more at: Power Conditioners
Your guitar needs an isolated output, hence ensuring that any electrical noise and interference in the area on the incoming power supply is filtered out. Kill your guitar buzz. Active pickups are a great way to quiet down a noisy guitar.
Musical instrument diagnosis and repair involve identifying issues through symptoms like strange noises, tuning instability, physical damage, or difficulty playing, and then performing necessary maintenance or repairs. While minor maintenance can be done by the owner, complex repairs should be handled by a professional technician like a Luthier in our Haywire Custom Guitar shop to avoid further damage.
Musical instrument diagnosis, guitar repairs and maintenance
- Regular Maintenance : Includes routine cleaning and polishing, proper storage and humidity control, regular string changes, and oiling valves/slides. Basic tasks like re-hooking a spring on a woodwind instrument or changing a drum head can often be done by the owner with the right tools.
- Professional Repairs: For complex problems like structural damage (cracks in wood or bent metal), major overhauls, or issues you cannot pinpoint, it is best to consult a qualified technician. Professionals have the specialized tools and experience to accurately diagnose and fix issues without causing further damage. Attempting complex repairs without experience can lead to expensive or irreversible damage.
- Local Music Shops: Many local music stores, offer repair services and have experienced technicians on staff who can handle most common issues.
- Manufacturer Service Centers: For specific or warranty-covered repairs, sending the instrument to the manufacturer is an option, though it may be more time-consuming.
- Specialized Repair Shops: Haywire Custom Guitars in Conway, SC, specialize in specific instruments with strings (e.g., guitars, basses etc.) and offer custom work and extensive repairs.
Recommendation: For any issue beyond basic maintenance (like cleaning or string changes), it is best to take your instrument to a qualified professional technician. In the Myrtle Beach area, local options like Haywire Custom Guitars (for guitar specific work) are available.
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