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What causes string buzz at the nut?

Fizzy sounding buzz right up at the headstock end, especially on open strings, points to exactly one thing: the nut. It's a tiny piece of bone or plastic, but when its slots are cut funny, it makes a genuinely embarrassing amount of noise for something so small. You might need to put your ear right up to the guitar in a few places to hear it.

What a good slot needs

• Width. Cut wide enough for the string to sit comfortably without pinching, but not so wide it slides around in the slot.
• Shape. Rounded at the bottom, like the string itself.
• Cleanliness. No leftover bits — schmutz — from a rough cut.

Pinching and schmutz are the biggest issues, and they're both cut problems.

Why you need the right tool

You must, must, MUST have the right tool to fix it. Nut files are designed to cut a curve downward, but not file the sides, and they're sized for the string gauge — there's no winging it with whatever's in the toolbox.

The fast fix

Try this: scrape the string in and out of the slot a bit, like you're flossing it. You might need to loosen it up a bit first. If it doesn't help — or you're hearing buzz somewhere else on the guitar too — check the other usual suspects or bring it in.

Book Now for a free evaluation, and I'll get the slot cut properly.