The G string is buzzing on my 96 Lonestar. I got it for Christmas. I have put it back to factory specs as far as the set up goes. The G string has a buzz/rattle no matter what. It does it when it is struck open, fretted on any fret, and shen played in a chord. It is more prevalent when struck with a pick. It does not buzz immediately when struck, just a split second afterwards. I cannot pinpoint where it is coming from. It is not hitting the pickup pole, I dropped both single coils to the deck and it still did it. It also did it before I changed the setup from the previous owner, who had the trem blocked I have a sneaking suspicion that it is the saddle. It has the blocky chunk of metal Am Std saddles on it. I do not particularly care for them and plan to change them to the vintage style (which came on my 03 MIM oddly enough). Could the saddle be the culprit causing the buzz?

If anyone has any insight or has experienced this, please help, it is driving me freakin' crazy. I have been through the other postings about fret and other general buzzes. None of those suggestions did anything.

Yes I would say it is most likely the G saddle, just adjust it a litlle higher with the small allen wrench, there could be other reason that Im thinking of and thats the nut, it could be that tne nut rail for the G string is really low but I thats less likely to happen, however check the saddle adjust it and then see what happens

easiest way to check would be to slide a tiny slither of paper between the saddle and string. Make sure its not too far forwards and dampening the string or too far back and having no effect. It does need to be just right.
If the string still buzzes its not a groove in the saddle causing it.

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No no and no

I am at my wit's end. I cannot find this buzz anywhere. I thought I had it narrowed down to something in the bridge. But last night I was trying to track it down again, and the sound is equally as loud at the nut as it is at the bridge (when the string is open). I raised the string up to an abnormal height and it took most, but not all of it out when it is open, but not much difference was made when fretted. I have noticed too, that the D string is making a similar noise when frettet at about 12 or above. No other string makes any abnormal noises at all.

This thing is in outstanding shape, other than this buzz, so I really don't think that anything is "worn out". It is going on 13 years old though.

Can someone tell me if the nut will cause a buzz even if the string is fretted?

Any other advice is more than welcome. I am trying to avoid taking it to a shop, mainly because I don't know where would be the best to take it.

In my experience, if all mentioned fails, I've found that sometimes a slight shim, such as a folded posted note, in the neck pocket will eliminate the buzz.

Good luck!

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I dont think it is the nut if it buzzes when you fret the string. Since it only affects one string it sounds more like a saddle issue than the neck or the frets.

maybe the string is bad. Have you tried changing the stirng? Old strings can cause buzz.

The strings are new, so it shouldn't be that. New strings always have a bit of a rattle for a little while until they break in, the wound ones anyway. I am going to have to change them regardless so I can dig around on the bridge. I really hope it is the saddles. If it isn't, I think that will be about as far as I can go on my own.

It has a microtilt adjustment for the neck. Is there anything involved with it that could rattle or buzz?

Try to switch saddle of that string to one you know does not buzz, just for testing purpose. That should reverse the situation.

Update...
I put a small piece of paper under the string in the saddle and tuned it back up. IT STILL BUZZES!!!
Good news is that I have effectively eliminated the saddle as the culprit, and thusly saved about $40 there. Bad news is, I am almost done with what I can do. Next, I think I am going to cut a strip of paper and just cover one fret at a time and see what happens. If that is a dead end, I am going to have to check the screws under the saddles and see if they are tight. If it ends up being a fret, it has got to be the very last one (#22) because it buzzes all the way from open to there...and slightly from about 12 up on the D string. I have found a certified repair shop here in town, and if it comes down to it, I will suck it up and let them check it out.

So, out of all the strings, you only have one - the G - that has fret buzz? It must be bad for you to mention I guess - I've always noticed a slight buzz on almost every guitar I've picked up. Obviously I too would like there to be no buzz at all! You also mentioned "rattle" which would lead me to the set screws in the saddles (mostly the vintage), but you said you have eliminated that. Other things I can think of the might contribute to fret buzz would be:

1.) Nut height
2.) Truss rod (neck relief)
3.) Level of frets
4.) Finger pressure on the board (not enough)

I'd make sure that the neck relief is within 0.015in to 0.020in at the 8th fret with a capo on the first fret. Then check that the first fret to string is about 0.021in at the nut area without the capo. Next, if it is not the set screws in the saddles rattling, try a little more fretting pressure on that string. If the action of the string to the pole piece is within spec (4/64in or 5/64in), then perhaps you need to re-level a fret somewhere.

Perhaps your guitar has a heal adjustment (micro-tilt) for the truss also ...

I know that is annoying!

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GUITARS: 2006 ESP LTD with Floyd Rose | 1999 MIM Fender Stratocaster w/Seymour Duncan
AMP: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Limited Edition Python
PEDALS: Electro-Harmonix Metal Muff | MXR Distortion III | MXR Stereo Chorus | MXR Phase 90

Update...
It is definitely not a fret. I took a sliver of paper about 1/4" wide and covered one fret at a time and it still made what I am now calling "the noise".
This is the wierdest thing. If I hold my ear close to the pickguard and pick the string and then stop it, the noise still resonates very lightly, almost like a spring reverb does. I don't think it is the trem springs, becasue I deadened them and it still did it. I have eliminated the micro-tilt now. I held the wrench in the screw and the noise still happened. It is all down to being in the bridge or under the pickguard. Unfortunately, I have to go buy another set of strings before I dive into those.

Jefferson_One,
I have set-up everything to factory specs. It did it before and after, open and fretted on any fret. I am completely dumbfounded at this point. I have almost learned to live with it. It really isn't that noticable when plugged into an amp, but really noticable "acoustic". I think it bothers me more than anything that I just can't find it.

Rundk1976 -

Man, that is strange ... have you tried to tune UP 1/2 step and see if it still does it? I bet it will from what you are saying. The trem spings was a good test too. Hmmm ... I'm stumped too.

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GUITARS: 2006 ESP LTD with Floyd Rose | 1999 MIM Fender Stratocaster w/Seymour Duncan
AMP: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Limited Edition Python
PEDALS: Electro-Harmonix Metal Muff | MXR Distortion III | MXR Stereo Chorus | MXR Phase 90

Try taping the pick guard with your fingers or the body with your palm,, If you can create the noise look under the hood for whats loose.

Why all the sudden now? What did you do to the guitar before the noise started? Was it that you changed the strings? I wouldn’t count the strings out because they are new. Just for kicks pull your D string off and put it where your G string is, just to make sure it’s not the string. I know it might not fit “right” into the nut, but you might be able to see if that string buzzes. Maybe, even move the saddle over as well. Just remember to take measurements so your intonation will still be correct.

Sometimes it’s the simplest things....Just a thought