Hey folks, just joined the forum to actually keep up on a different thread I stumbled upon, but could use some guidance about an issue I'm having with string buzz.

I recently purchased a new American Deluxe when I played it at the store I noticed a buzz when playing the open D string. So I figured it was just in need of adjustment. Took the guitar home, and can not get rid of it. After messing around with it for a day, I realized that the buzz is coming from above the nut. Is there a good way to fix this issue without replacing the nut? I am returning the Deluxe but it got me to thinking about the buzz on my SRV. Same issue there but on the G string. That one will need to be fixed. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Please keep in mind that I'm no Ceri when it comes to repairs. So hopefully it is something simple.

And I know how much you guys like photos, so here are the guitars in question.



And one of the new Trem. worth every penny.

You can always put a piece of cloth in between the strings. I do this recording acoustic guitars, and behind the bridge of mandolins whenr ecording.

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Sounds like a great temporary fix, but I was hoping for something a little more permanent and less noticeable.

I will try it tomorrow and see if it fixes the issue. Maybe I'm way off base and it's something else entirely.

Could it be in the string tree? or even the tuner?

No string tree on the buzzy strings. Tuners are tight and in good working order. I think that the the slots are too large and the break over angle at the nut isn't enough to keep the string from vibrating. To call it a buzz isn't exactly correct, it's kind of like a strange harmonic that's there when not plugged in and worse when amplified. If you dampen the offending string above the nut the harmonic goes away and the guitar sounds normal.

You are better to bring your guitar to a good tech.
All new guitars need a tune-up.

I'm sure he will fix easely than you can. Those guys have more experience than you. Don't waist your time unless you want to learn hard way.

And it does't cost you lost of money

You can make damage at your nut if you work with and it could be not fix your buzz

First off take the string off and check the tuner is tight. Then put the string back on the guitar. Makesure there's atleast 3 turns around the post and that the turns are neat. One under the other. Doing this will increase the down pressure across the nut. If that still doesn't sort it try a small piece of folded paper in the nut slot, under the string. So's the string sits in the paper which then sits in the slot. If this causes any improvment then your nut slot is incorrectly cut. That's a warranty issue.

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It is probably just the angle of the string from the nut to the headstock. Three winds, as niki says, with every wind being closer to the headstock that the wind before. I do about three winds on wound strings and five or six on the plain strings.

I will give the piece of paper a go. I have checked the tuners and already tried adding more wraps of spring to the tuner. Sadly the SRV is out of warranty.

No string tree on your D & G strings?

It's my experience that on some Fenders the break angle over the nut can be really marginal for poor performance. Fit a tree - end of problem..

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Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!

Check your trem springs as well.

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Yep I've had similar problems in the past with vibration through springs.

Adey makes a valid point about the break angle of a nut slot. Fender seem to have the bare minimum angle on the nutslots. I'm sure it's to protect the maple/rosewood on the other side of the nut.

If the paper thing works, then its really a new nut. You can get by with a makeshift repair. Mix some superglue and bone dust, dribble it into the offending nut slot with a needle. Then recut it. It's nearly as hard as fitting a new nut though, can cause tuning problems, and wont last as long.

Better off to get it to a repairperson and get a new nut fitted.

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I didn't think about Trem springs. I will pull the cover off and check those too. Strange that they would only be heard on one string though. If it turns out to be the nut, I don't know of any luthiers in my area. Would it be worth sending to fender? Or I suppose I could have a go at doing it myself. There must be tons of info on the web.

If you've never cut a nut before its not worth doing it yourself. The files cost £70, then you need a razor saw and some bone too. It's a lot of agro and expense for something you'll only likely do once. If you muck it up there are no do overs, and the measurements at that point of the guitar are absolutely critical. You can use needle files but thats even trickier as you have to manualy shape the curve at the bottom of the slot. I for one will advise as much as possible if you choose to do it yourself, but I really dont recommend it.
Where do you live that theres no repair person near you? Guitar repair happens in the most unlikely of places, if theres a shop, theres a repairperson somewhere in the vicinity. A strat nut fitting shouldnt cost more than £30. Theres likely someone on here that knows of a repairperson in your area/country.

Fender wont do it for you. They absolutely dont repair anything for the owner. For the shop where you bought it maybe, if its a new guitar.

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Well I'm in central Wisconsin. I purchased it through a local shop, and they got it from an authorized fender dealer, which they are not. I didn't get a super deal, just trying to help out the local mom and pop place. I think that they could probably do the service. But, my problem seems to be bigger then just the nut. I looked at the neck relief and there is way too much. No adjustment from the truss rod would correct it.
I am saddened to hear that Fender won't help it's customers though. I have dealt with a few other manufactures and they were more then happy to hear from and help their customers.