Warning, finding and fixing fret buzzes can take anywhere from 5 minutes to 5 hours. You could actually cause more harm then good to your guitar!!

Fret buzz is what happens when one or more strings are too close to the frets. The only fret a string should actually touch is the one being played. If it touches any others as it vibrates, it makes an annoying buzzing sound. A little fret buzz is hard to avoid if you like low action. In fact, some people like a tiny bit of fret buzz. They say it adds "character." But a lot of fret buzz detracts from the quality of your guitar's sound. Fortunately, it's a very easy problem to solve.

The first step is to find out where the buzz is coming from. Mute all but one of the strings and play each fret on the unmuted string until you get a buzz. If the buzz begins at one of the top frets, the problem is probably at the nut. If the buzz doesn't start until you're closer to the soundhole, the problem is probably at the bridge saddle.

If the strings buzz at only one fret, that fret is probably out of alignment. I personally wouldn't want to try to fix a crooked or loose fret myself; I'd recommend taking your guitar to a repair shop to have it fixed. The repair involves pounding the fret into place with a rubber mallet, and for some strange reason, the idea of taking a mallet to my guitar makes my hair stand on end.

If only one string is buzzing, the fix is ridiculously simple. Take a bit of paper or aluminum foil and fold it up into a tiny square. Loosen the offending string, and stick the paper or foil between the string and either the bridge or the nut, depending on where the buzz started. Tune the string back up to pitch and try playing each fret on the string again. If you still get buzz, make a slightly thicker square of paper or foil and try again. Repeat the process until the buzz stops.

Yes, it's a kludge. It's a very nice kludge, and I've had the same bit of paper under my low "E" string for eleven years. Do not mock that which you do not understand.

If you're getting buzz from more than one string, you'll have to make a shim. A shim is usually a thin strip of wood veneer, but you can use anything that is thin enough and can be cut to the correct size. A shim is placed underneath the bridge saddle or the nut to raise it to the correct height.

If all the strings are buzzing, you need to put a shim under the full width of the nut or bridge saddle. If the buzz is coming from the strings on one side or the other, put a shim under only that side of the saddle or nut. If you're getting buzz from alternating strings, it's possible that your guitar's neck is slightly twisted, or some of your frets are coming up from the fretboard. A full-length shim may solve the problem, but you should probably take it to a shop to be looked at.

Please follow these steps to solve this problem

1. Remove the nut or the bridge saddle, whichever is causing the problem. Both are usually glued on, but can be removed with a little gentle prying. If they won't come loose, don't force them -- take your guitar to a professional, or get used to the fret buzz. oMost acoustic guitar bridge saddles are a little bit taller on one end than the other. The taller end goes under the lower strings, because they're thicker and need more clearance. Be careful not to get the bridge turned around when you're ready to put it back in. oIf your guitar has a segmented bridge saddle -- one segment for each string -- be sure to keep track of which segment goes where and in what direction it faces!
2. Cut a shim to the right size and set it in place. Do not glue anything yet. Start with something very thin, and work up.
3. When the shim is in place, replace the saddle or nut, tighten the strings, and check for buzzing. oThe nut may slip from side to side when you tighten the strings, so try to hold it in place while you do that.
4. Repeat the process with progressively thicker shims until you're satisfied.

Now you can glue the nut or bridge saddle back in if you like. Some aren't glued on to begin with, and as long as the strings are holding them in place, there's no real need to glue them. If you leave them unglued, it will be easier to make more adjustments later, if you need to. If you do want to glue the parts back, use wood glue, and be sure to leave it plenty of time to dry.