I'm setting up my 6 string floating tremolo height after changing the posts (typical Ibanez swap to newly designed posts). Looking for opinions. I set this up so that the first 4 strings do not really buzz at the higher frets. 5th string has some buzz against the frets and the 6th string more. I know there are many variables like the quality of fret work but do you generally accept some string buzz or go for a "buzzfree" sound (Marty Friedman said he doesn't like any buzz).
Some fret buzz is fine. I’ve never played a guitar that I couldn’t make buzz, it’s just the nature of a fretted stringed instrument. better fretwork and construction allows you to get very low without any buzz coming through an amp so it’s just finding a balance with technique and setup. I used to aim for about 1.2mm high E to 2.2mm+ low B with a noticeable relief so I get zero chocking and minimal buzz. You’d be surprised how low some guitarists play. Jari Maenpaa plays with strings almost on the frets with every note chocking out. It sounded awful when I played it but he makes it work no problem. If you check out lesson videos with Gilbert or Satch you can hear the buzz over the amp. Hi-gain will mask a lot of fret buzz but if you’re playing clean then you will need to raise your strings or get frets levelled.
I hate the buzz. It's gotta sound good unplugged to me. Can't stand when notes choke out. Some people are exactly the opposite.
I like to set my guitars up so the strings either juuust barely buzz on higher frets, or no buzz at all. Depends on the guitar though
My guitars and basses rattle because the strings are set super low. But I can't stand notes choking out.
i play with about 1mm high E to 1.5 mm low b on my sevens. Other players can definitely make my guitars buzz. They don't buzz when I play. so it's really up to your technique versus the limitations of physics. String gauge, neck relief, how well your frets are leveled all play a part.
I dislike fret buzz, and I am happy to sacrifice a little action height to avoid it. Sure, I want to be as low as is reasonable, but if it buzzes then it'll get tweaked. It feels like the guitar is just not set up right if it buzzes. You know that horrible screech when a cars fan belt is slipping? And the car is fine, it works, and you could just ignore it but... Guitars need to feel good to play. If you don't care about fret buzz, more power to you, but to me it doesn't feel right.
As long as I can't hear it when connected to an amp: buzzing yes, choking no. I have the action on my guitars set as low as possible (something between 1.0 or 1.3mm at the 12th fret, depending on the guitar) and there's almost not buzz I'm aware of. I could set it even lower, but that would make pull ups choke when using the tremolo (I should rise the action even more if I'd go all 'make this thing squeal like crazy' à la Dimebag, which I don't). I have a light touch, though.
upper fret access on the low strings isn't important to me, so I allow some buzz in the 17+ range. Anywhere else is a no-go.
It's always a trade off with action. I find that 1.5mm low B or E and 1.2mm high E at the 12th fret, with a small amount of relief makes things pretty buzz free and feel very comfortable to play. Going much lower than that without creative fretwork is going to start getting annoying. Also, I tend not to like how it feels when adjacent strings try to slide under my fingers when bending. That also happens when action is too low.
On an electric guitar, yes a bit of buzzing is fine and is to be accepted when very low action is desired. So long as it's not audible through an amp, and notes aren't choking out or anything then I'm fine with it and that's how my guitars are set up.
