I have a Kramer XL-III that I've been learning on, and I'm trying to figure out whether the guitar needs repair, or if this is normal. For starters, my former brother in law was known to play it pretty hard, and it's been "well loved" over the years. A couple of the strings buzz playing them open (low E and A particularly), and others will buzz no matter how hard I fret them, but if I play things VERY gently then there's no buzz. I've taken it to a shop twice, and the luthier insists that all electrics will be that way and I just need to be gentle if I don't want the buzzing. So is it normal to get buzzing? It's hard when I can't figure out how much buzzing is because of my technique and how much is because of the guitar. Neither the luthier nor my teacher seem to be able to really answer that. I think if I played it any more gently, I would need to use a bow and play it like my viola!

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My gear:

Hot Rod Deluxe
1975 Vibro Champ
G-DEC 3 Thirty
Kramer XL III
Standard Stratocaster
Oscar Schmidt acoustic

Did this "luthier" actually take a good long look at and play your guitar. He should realize right away that buzzing open strings indicate nut slots cut to low. As far as fretted notes buzzing, could be one of many things (string height too low, bowed neck, bad fret, etc, etc) all things the "luthier" should know to check out. I would get a second opinion. Maybe have someone you trust with good technique play it and see it it still buzzes. An excuse of "just play gently" is stupid. Did Hendrix have to play gently?

I will admit yes if you really dig hard into the strings of an electric guitar it's very possible that you'll get some fret buzz even on a well set up guitar. I'm of the opinion that if you cannot hear the buzz through the amp, then it's OK. But you should be able to play a little harder more than "gently" and still have no buzz.

p.s. This setup guide should help since you have a Strat style Kramer. http://www.fender.com/support/stratocas ... _guide.php

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Obligatory gear list: Fender, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Gretsch, Vox, Martin, and more Fender.

Open string buzz could be:
nut slots cut too deep
string height set to low
neck bowed

get another guitar tech to look at it.

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

Just one thing to add..........Light guage strings buzz way more due to their decreased string tension. After heeding the advice above remember that heavier guage strings allow lower action without buzzing.

Thanks to Metropolis for the setup guide. I'll take a look at that. I have thought about getting a second opinion since it does seem strange that it doesn't take much effort to make it buzz and yet he insists that I'm playing "too hard". Not all the frets buzz, but there are a couple that I can get a death grip on and the strings still buzz against some other frets.

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My gear:

Hot Rod Deluxe
1975 Vibro Champ
G-DEC 3 Thirty
Kramer XL III
Standard Stratocaster
Oscar Schmidt acoustic

It's fixed! I found another shop, and they were surprised that the other shop had led me to believe that it was normal. They were confident that it was well worth getting it repaired, and just hadn't been set up properly in a long time. I got it back after they did a setup and some fret dressing, and it's amazing how much better it plays.

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My gear:

Hot Rod Deluxe
1975 Vibro Champ
G-DEC 3 Thirty
Kramer XL III
Standard Stratocaster
Oscar Schmidt acoustic

Well at least know you know where to get your work done. It is amazing how many people that call themselves a tech should just be stocking shelves.

+1 for the importance of identifying and then sticking with a tech who is good. They range from people who can barely recognize a guitar to master mechanics, so to speak.

If you are near Chicago, 'have personally entrusted Third Coast Guitars for everything. They do not employ mopes.