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Hey I built a Les Paul guitar and there is a buzzing when I play the strings open.

jrgtr42

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 24, 2005
Messages
2,308
I don't think the strings are touching the fretboard but I believe the problem comes from the bridge but its hard to pinpoint where the sound comes from. The problem could be with the nut or with the tuners for all I know.


But yea this my first time building a guitar so I happy to hear all your suggestions

Could be any number of things. Is the buzzing coming through the amp, or just the guitar? Are you sure all screws / bolts / nuts are tight?
Does it happen on all strings, just one, does it happen when playing them all or just on a certain string?
If you touch the string / stings above the nut does it stop?
If you touch the string / stings between the tailpeice and bridge does it stop?
f you put your ear close to the headstock or the bridge does it sound louder or quieter?
 

rick c

Active member
Joined
May 28, 2016
Messages
282
My bet would be it's a problem at one or both ends. It's possible that strings are touching bridge components, most likely the top of saddle adjuster screws. This can happen if the bridge leans back a little and/or the bridge is collapsed. At the head end, if the nut slots are cut too deep then the strings will buzz on the first fret. Put a capo on the first fret and see what happens. An other obvious, possible problem could be too flat a neck or even back-bow; this can be corrected with the truss rod.
 
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