Buzzing on 1 fret of the E 6th String

[RCP1716]

Hello everybody:

This may be a foolish thing to speak about, but maybe someone can help me out.

My guitar is buzzing when playing the Pulgar Rest Stroke on the 6 String first fret position. It only happens with the rest stroke and in the first and second fret only in the 6 string. I 've been playing Brouwer's Simple Etude # 6 and there is an increase on volume before getting into the second part of the study, that's why I am using the rest stroke as an easy technic to increase loudnes. My guitar action is 4 1/2 mm at the 12 fret and I believe is pretty high already, anyway it looked to me, that this could be a small problem so I take the guitar to a luthier and he told me that it was me and the way I played what is causing this buzzing and not the guitar. Hard to believe, but I do respect a professional opinion from a guitar builder. Now I realize he may be right, since I played on all his instrument and all of them did it.
The thing is that I don't remember this happening never before in my early years as a player . Can anyone tell me if this happen in all guitars or only in some guitars . I went to a guitar shop and play a spanish hanmade guitar and also buzz on this specific position just less than in my guitar. Any information on this issue will be great for me. As the luthier said, my guitar is handmade in the spanish tradition, with a Cedar Top and Indian RW back and sides. Ebony fingerboard, frets are OK, and Action too. This guitar is a expensive concert instrument, and this is exactly why I am so worried about it.
Thank you.

[portlandgreg2]

RCP1716,

Have you had someone other than you play your guitar? Does it still happen? That experiment may reveal a lot.

I went through an interesting period while trying out different strings on my Rubio. I found that some strings did in fact buzz at the 2nd fret of both the A and D string while others did not. The setup and build quality is nearly perfect in all respects. In the end, I found a set that spoke on my guitar and also didn't buzz unaturally. This story may not help much, but is mostly meant to encourage you to not lose hope of solving the problem.

Assuming your luthier is correct and the guitar is in correct setup, perhaps a lesson with a highly skilled teacher will reveal a technique flaw. Good luck.

[RCP1716]

Dear portlandgreg2
Thanks a lot for answering my question. In fact is such a good idea having someone else playing my guitar, so I can find out if this is me or not. I am almost sure the problem is in the guitar, perhaps what the luthier told me was based on his knowledgment about guitar making, he does not have too much experience as a player, even that he knows a lot of them.

I believe this is becoming one of those 50-50% situation that we find in life, part of my problem is the guitar action and the other part is the way I want to play that piece. Let me tell you that when I got the instrument this problem did not exists, it was after adjusting the action that the problem appears, and you may think why he bought a guitar with a visible action problem, I have to tell you, this instrument as a voice of incredible beauty and is perfect for me, so I am changing my technique to improve this problem. Honestly it only happens there and in that specific fret. I am using Hense Strings, I found these strings great for my guitar setup and sound.
Thanks again for your kind response.

[Olly]

I dont know wot each string is called, but my 5th string buzzez on the 2nd fret, which is annoying, so shud i try sum other strings or wot?

Olly

[RCP1716]

Dear Olly:
Try as many string as you wish. Guitars should not buzz at any fret and in any string, but guitars sometimes need adjustments, like mine. Anyway I wish you best of luck.

[Jonny Hotnuts]

Try using a hard to extra hard tension strings.
I am used to paying on extra hard.
When I grab guitar with light or normal tension I buzz.
This may not correct a problem but just help it make it less noticable.

-JH

[Olly]

Thx a lot guys,

I am having my first guitar lesson today, so i will ask him any problems i am having.

Hopefully he will prevent me getting into any bad habits on the guitar.

Do u think I shud carry on having lessons with him after i have learnt the basics or shud i stop the lessons and buy a couple of good books to work from?

Thx for the help anyway...

[edwardcav]

Ask your teacher that question. If he/she is a good teacher, and your serious about the instrument, stick with it as long as you can. You will know when the time is right to progress on your own. There are many exercises and hand studies out there that will help you progress.

[RCP1716]

Dear Olly:
Keep practicing as much as you can. I believe is more easy to prevent bad habits while someones is teaching you, but anyway, there will be always your in your own mind the words " I want to make it this way for that piece etc. So after all, reading and teaching music yourself will be also good.