Annoying fret buzz on 2nd fret G

[jayochs]

So on my new Superhawk (which i love more than anything!) i noticed that the factory setup has my 2nd fret G string buzzing like crazy. it's not buzzing as much as going "boooooinnnnnng, bwwwwwwwonggggggg bwonnnnnnng" lol it's hard to describe, but it really shines when on the distortion channel of an amp. as you bend it, though, the string stops hitting the fret and it sounds normal, which leads me to believe that MAYBE the 3rd fret on there is a bit too high and it's hitting.

i've tried raising hte saddle, and that doesn't really do a thing. playing the string open is perfectly fine so it's not the nut, 1st fret is fine, 3rd fret is fine, so it's got to be the fact that when you fret the 2nd fret, the string is bouncing off the actual 3rd fret bar, and it's causing it to go bwonnnnnngggg bwongggg bwonggggggg.

but yeah, is there any way to fix this? it's pretty annoying, but i like setting up my own guitars rather than bringing them to places bc i like to learn. help!

[Katefan]

Yeah, think you're on the right track re the prognosis - sounds like the 3rd fret is the issue tho the nut slot for the G string could be cut a bit low as well… take a look at the distance underneath each string and the fingerboard on the 1st or 2nd fret and see whether there is relative uniformity. The reason I suspect the nut slot may be low is that you're only getting the annoying buzzing on the G string. Should that be the case the slot can be built up some using some diluted super glue… but before doing so slipping a bit of wood or paper in the slot to raise the string height can give you an idea whether or not the G string is too low.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
KF

[NickHorne]

KF's observation is insightful, and the simple fold-of-paper-in-the-slot experiment is well worth trying.

Presumably you have tried a new string?

Also, if you prefer to fit strings that are lighter than the factory set, you may well find that the truss needs slackening slightly (probably 1/4 turn or less). A neck that is too straight will generally buzz more from the 7th fret downward, and since the G has a relatively large vibration, this might just be tipping the balance and causing a buzz at one fret.

But be very wary of doing anything to the actual frets unless you are experienced!!

[jayochs]

yeah, i don't want to touch the frets because i'm not that experienced with it. i will try the paper in a slot option though. i'm using 10's, just like factory. i can't remember but i think these are the original strings since I got it..i only broke the B and E i think, so i just swapped them out because I was lazy. i've got a bunch of sets now, so if i'm lucky, it's just the string.

[Katefan]

Cheers Nick. Yeah, wow, forgot about suspecting the string itself… I actually had this happen once. Good thinking.

Hope you get it sorted jayochs.

Cheers,
KF