Fret buzz on Low E on Ibanez GRX20

[jimmylegs]

I just got an Ibanex GRX20 and the low E string buzzez a bit when I'm playing the low E string and happen to have my finger close to a fret and on the lower end of the fret board mostly, otherwise it sounds fine. I read on here to try adjusting the action, it did buzz a bit more in the beginning but since I adjusted the action it only happens like I mentioned above. How far can I adjust the action without going to far, it's adjusted by turning the 2 little allen screws? They are about even with the top of the metal string holder now? Or should I try new strings possibly? Strings on this now are 9-42's and whatever brand comes with the guitar. By the way all other strings sound fine.

I'm used to playing an acoustic and just want to know if this is normal or not? And am I going about this wrong by adjusting the action? Help Please!

[Guitarplayer01]

The only thing i know to tell you is that some fret buzzing will happen. Try rasing the action just a little bit more and if it keeps buzzing well its just gonna buzz. As i said a little happens everknow and then

remember ROCK IT
Gp1

[BrianG1110]

I just got an Ibanex GRX20 and the low E string buzzez a bit when I'm playing the low E string and happen to have my finger close to a fret and on the lower end of the fret board mostly, otherwise it sounds fine. I read on here to try adjusting the action, it did buzz a bit more in the beginning but since I adjusted the action it only happens like I mentioned above. How far can I adjust the action without going to far, it's adjusted by turning the 2 little allen screws? They are about even with the top of the metal string holder now? Or should I try new strings possibly? Strings on this now are 9-42's and whatever brand comes with the guitar. By the way all other strings sound fine.

I'm used to playing an acoustic and just want to know if this is normal or not? And am I going about this wrong by adjusting the action? Help Please!

I had the same problem, buzzing aroung the first or third fret, so i raised the action, really high, still got alittle buzz, I found out it was from the thin strings, i suggest if you like thin strings at least upgrade to .10's and see if the buzz is still there, it shouldn't buzz, even if you put the action back the way it was when you first got the guitar.

I noticed it had to do with string gauge when i upgraded to .12's and, like magic, no more buzz, so i lowered the action, still no buzz, so I believe its all got to do with the gauge.

If you still get buzz, take it to a local shop and have them check it out.

[jimmylegs]

Thanks guys. I did order new strings, a set of 9's and 10's. I try to adjust the action a little bit higher until the new strings come in, then I'll try the 10's and see. Thanks again.

[Bigsnake]

When I first went from acoustic to electric, I had a lot of fret buzz. I got my guitar setup and still had fret buzz. A friend, who is in a local band, I finally had play my guitar to see and he got no fret buzz. When I watched him play I realized that I was digging into the strings way too much. I've started working on smoother picking and strumming with just the tip of the pick and I really don't get any buzzing anymore unless I'm not fretting properly.

[BrianG1110]

When I first went from acoustic to electric, I had a lot of fret buzz. I got my guitar setup and still had fret buzz. A friend, who is in a local band, I finally had play my guitar to see and he got no fret buzz. When I watched him play I realized that I was digging into the strings way too much. I've started working on smoother picking and strumming with just the tip of the pick and I really don't get any buzzing anymore unless I'm not fretting properly.

good point, didn't even think of askin, how hard are you picking Jimmy?, but if your not picking too hard, then i still suggest the .10's at least.

[jimmylegs]

Good point, I may be picking to hard, being that I am used to playing an acoustic only for a year and a half now and normally strum or pick the strings pretty hard to have them ring out better. Bigsnake, what technique did you use to lighten the picking and/or strumming of the strings. You said you just tried using the tip of the the pick, which I'll have to try. Did you also try striking the strings a little lighter too? What type of pick do you use? I'm using the same pick as I use on my acoustic. I was going to order some of the Dunlop big stubby's 2mm. By the way my acoustic is actually an acoustic/electric but never had an amp until I bought the electric and it sounds awesome plugged in. I'll trying taking it softer on the electric or try the new strings. Thanks for the replies it really helps a lot, since I've only been playing a year and half I'm still a noobie and a real noobie when it comes to amp setting etc. playing the electric guitar. But it's awesome. I really appreciate the input.

Off to Never Never Land !!!!

[Dmackenzie]

Before you take it on yourself to adjust your action and change your strings, or revamp your playing style in general, I would recommend evaluating the relief or bow of the neck. It is natural for some bowing to occur on its own due to temperature/humidity changes, so if your neck bent a little bit, then some fretbuzz would be expected, but if you dont' know how to check, definitely take it to a professional to have a look and make any truss rod adjustments necessary. Unless you have experience with truss rods, never take it onto yourself to effect...

But good luck! Ibanez is a very solid guitar.

Cheers.

[Bigsnake]

Good point, I may be picking to hard, being that I am used to playing an acoustic only for a year and a half now and normally strum or pick the strings pretty hard to have them ring out better. Bigsnake, what technique did you use to lighten the picking and/or strumming of the strings. You said you just tried using the tip of the the pick, which I'll have to try. Did you also try striking the strings a little lighter too? What type of pick do you use? I'm using the same pick as I use on my acoustic. I was going to order some of the Dunlop big stubby's 2mm. By the way my acoustic is actually an acoustic/electric but never had an amp until I bought the electric and it sounds awesome plugged in. I'll trying taking it softer on the electric or try the new strings. Thanks for the replies it really helps a lot, since I've only been playing a year and half I'm still a noobie and a real noobie when it comes to amp setting etc. playing the electric guitar. But it's awesome. I really appreciate the input.

Off to Never Never Land !!!!

Just start picking lighter and trying to use the tip of the pick and not really dig into the strings. Ran scales, chord progressions, etc. and just tried to get the picking smoother. Basically thinking to myself, the guitar doesn't need to make the noise, the amp will do it for me. I'd just make sure the strings were vibrating all around crazy from being hit too hard.

David also has a video in the intermediate section that talks about picking technique.

I use the Dunlop .60 mm picks. I have some .73s too that a friend swears by but I don't really use them. 2mm is a serious pick... I thought 1mms were thick.

[jimmylegs]

I don't see any noticable bowing in the neck, at least to me. I did research and read some articles on that which show how to check this out. I'm an advid DYIer, but however I'm not a professional when it comes to guitars, so I can't say for sure that it isn't bowed slightly. I do have some friends that either play or used to play in a band that I can get to check it out or suggest where to go to do so.

Actually I tried what Bigsnake suggested when he went from acoustic to electric, with trying to ease up on the strings when picking/strumming and use only the tip of the pick, which seems to be working. I tried doing this last night while playing, it took a bit to ease up on them at first, but I kept trying and when I did, believe it or not I didn't hear any buzzing actually, except when I got carried away a bit. I'll keep trying that technique which seems to be working, but still will probably change the strings when I have time. I do like to play Metallica, 3 Days Grace, etc. and also was playing Slither from one of Dave's videos, so I'm up on the low E or around it a lot.

I haven't signed up on the site yet, but plan too soon so I can go through the lessons. I've been kind of busy right now, kids, baseball, kids, baseball, kids etc., plus my wife runs an animal breeding farm, you get the point I don't sit down besides at work.

Thanks for all the input, this site and forum is great! Especially for new and old to get information on something they need answered.

[Bigsnake]

I found it helps to hit a string a few times like you want to hit it, then turn the volume up so you hear it at a good volume at that picking level. If you start digging in too much, then it'll get too loud and you can hear it.

I guess I'm working on finding a good medium picking level so I can get quieter and louder without having to turn the volume up or down.

[Max_Rockwell]

When i bought my Les Paul it had the same thing. It buzzed a lot. As i played it more and more the buzz went away. Now, i don't think it's much of anything. I always change the strings when i buy a new guitar though.
I'm extremely well informed on guitars and how they work, i just play mine, but i suppose as was said before, if you don't know, taking it to the shop you bought from and asking for help wouldn't be such a bad idea.

[Meekguitarrepair]

The properly setup neck will backbow about .030 inch AFTER the fifth fret looking down the neck from the bridge with no strings installed. using a streight edge that will touch three frets at a time (not four but only three) set it on the three frets in question. this will locate the high fret.

Also remember this: A new guitar does not mean a properly setup guitar. For around $50.00 a good tech will include minor fret work as a normal part of their setup. I don't get any fretbuzz an any of me solidbody electrics no matter how hard I bang on the strings and one of them is a "cheapie".

[jimmylegs]

thanks for the info, I fixed this awhile ago, it was the setup and not the frets. I actually followed a guide for proper setup, actually did what you suggested with the straight edge and the frets look fine. It took me awhile (beginner) but I was able to get the guitar setup correctly and all is well now.