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13th fret makes buzzy noise


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whenever I play 13th fret, strings buzzes. I tried to adjust truss rod but it didn't helped, what should I do ?

Edited by Prabhu
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If you look down the neck, do any of the frets after the 13th fret look higher? If one does then a gentle tap with a small hammer may get it down enough (be sure to support the neck and guitar well if you are going to do this and start with a very gentle tap). 

Alternatively check if your saddle is too low, if it is then you could either buy another saddle or put a shim on the bottom of the saddle.

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A truss rod adjustment normally fixes this problem. Sounds like your neck has a "back bow" ie the truss rod is too tight. Try it again.

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The truss rod adjustment is only for the middle of the neck,

Frets 4-9 (max 12th)

Truss rod should have little to no effect, above the 12th fret

First change your strings. 

Test again 

Next get hard card (credit??) That covers 3 frets at a time, start at the 11th to 13 fret.

See if card sits flat 

Next got to 12-14, then 13-15, etc

Looking for the card to sit flat and not rock like a teeter totter, 

If it doesn't rock the frets are probably level

If it's a bolt on neck you may need to re-shim

If it's a set neck you may need slightly higher saddle / bridge height 

Edited by Eracer_Team-DougH
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Thank you people, but I think I need to change the saddle.

But what if I use a higher saddle then normal ?

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Not enough information to make a recommendation. What brand and model of guitar? Electric or acoustic? Did you buy online or from a music shop? When did you buy it? These things make a difference. I doubt it's a Taylor or equivalent.

The safe thing to do is to take it to a luthier and have him adjust it. There are no simple solutions to complicated problems--especially with guitars. Lotsa luck. Best, John

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The strings are too low causes string buzz which is why the truss rod adjustment is the normal fix. On an electric guitar you can easily adjust string height, but acoustics are not made to raise the saddle. Replacing the saddle is not an easy do at home project. The new saddle has to match the radius of the neck. You need to have a good luthier or tech fix the problem.  

Changing the strings is a good idea. If it is one string it could be a bad string or a twisted neck. If it is all the strings then truss rod adjustment should do the trick if the truss rod is actually working. Does the neck actually change when you adjust the truss rod? One quarter turn at a time should show obvious movement of the neck, if it doesn't the truss rod is not working. Adjust truss rod, tune guitar, adjust again if needed. 

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Curious to hear if this issue has found a fix? I would guess its a high fret..

-GV

 

 

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No Greg, nothing worked for me or I might don't know how to work with these solutions, then I have made a temporary fix, I have raised the truss rod and trimmed the 13th and 14th a bit and it worked for me, almost ! Although, I won't suggest this to anyone to go through this procedure.

Edited by Prabhu
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