Common Fret Buzz - Opinions

[Pete Andreev]

I've heard about a dozen different methods claiming to be the most sensible fix, so I wanted to bring it up here amongst more experienced luthiers.

I've got an archtop that is set up beautifully with nice low action and great playability overall. There's just one minor bug - high E string buzzing. The open string itself will only buzz if it's played with some force, like when playing loudly. Aside from that, a very tiny bit of buzzing is audible when playing around frets 3 to 6.

Rather than taking a file to the frets, I would assume that the most logical and effective fix would be to raise the string up a bit in its nut slot.

Suggestions on the best way to go about this? Or maybe another method entirely?

[Russell Vance]

Now, if only we can get the little guy to hold a glue syringe, sandpaper, a vacuum nozzle, a clamping caul,  a mirror and an inspection light we are in business.  

If the original makers of the acoustic knew what had to go into "the box" in a sweaty, bad tempered,  luthier's paw they would have made the soundhole bigger. 

Rusty.

[Dave Sparrow]

With a very low nut action (arf!) I have occasionally experienced 'back buzz' where the string behind the fretted note is vibrating on the fret before it (like normal fret buzz but in reverse).  Adjusting neck relief only moved the buzz to a different position on the neck.  I've only come across this on basses but it is theoretically possible with any guitar I guess.  

Solution - raise the nut action a tiny amount.

[Richard Bales]

Not just basses.  Have seen the same thing on guitars, mandolins, banjos, ukes etc.