Fret Buzz Issues? (Cheap China Guitar)

[Erik DePriest]

I have a cheap guitar from China I have been having issues with (I know, its cheap, its chinese, but I like it more than more expensive guitars I own and have owned for some reason). Its a no name Douglas, so its straight from the factory before Rondo Music gets ahold of it I guess. Anyways its like no matter what I do with action and the neck I am having fret buzz SOMEWHERE.When I got it the dude had the neck so straight that all my lower frets were just buzz city. Loved the low acion but it wasnt logical. The way I have it setup right now I am no longer getting buzz in my lower frets (1st through 5th) but now on my 17th fret and up I am getting buzz. I dont play on those frets really as I am just a lame rhythm guitarist but I am curious as what is going on here? The neck seems fine, better than Ibanez GIO necks I have seen by far but my action isnt that low. Is there too much relief in the neck now causing higher frets to buzz? Taking my guitar to a professional is not an option as there is no good luthiers around me.

Does this come down to just needing some frets filed because I know if I tighten that rod even a quarter of a turn my lower frets will start buzzing as they almost ALWAYS buzz a tiny tiny bit no matter what? I figure it is straight from the factory it doesnt even have the conductive paint in ANY of the cavities and the headstock was completely unfinshed when I got it. I can not take it to a professional as the only one around me made a few of my guitars even worse and didnt even touch my action and the other one is the dude I got this guitar from and his setups the necks are too straight and its buzz city.

Sorry for the book/essay and thank you to anyone willing to read my ramblings and give me some input.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Yup, a fret level/crown/dress can do wonders to an instrument, and it's one of the things most noticeable between a custom shop & an import with regards to how much attention they provide to an instrument beyond simple assembly & intonation.

 

[MaxAidingAres]

Yeah honestly you are going to need to do a leveling or a partial fret leveling at least. Not the end of the world considering your taste. I like pretty low action so most guitars I come across sub $1000 (indo) need a fret dress or partial dress. So for me factoring that on a cheap Chinese instrument is no problem as I’d have to do it anyways on a “higher end import”

 

[groverj3]

I basically factor in the cost of a fret dress into every guitar purchase. It's common to need it from the factory that I don't even bother getting upset at fretwork out of the box anymore.

 

[JustinRhoads1980]

Sounds like it needs a fret dress if when the neck is straight and has had a setup still buzzes on the lower frets sounds like the frets are not even and such. Although if I was in your position I wouldn't spend the money on something like that for a chinese guitar, but you say that you like it compared to some of your more expensive stuff so do as you please

 

[Erik DePriest]

So I imagine all the frets would probably need filed down a bit? They do look untouched (I think?) as I can look at my Conklin and the fretson that look a little filed and not so rounded off like on Chinese junker. Could that be something I learn to do myself? I dont have the best of choices for luthiers around me and if I bring them a cheap chinese guitar they wont take it/me seriously haha.

Thats just it, I dont think I would pay someone to do it. If anything maybe experiment and try and learn. If i mess up the guitar I could care less really as its dirt cheap but I like the scale length and IDK I dig it for some reason but if I messed it up its really whatever.

 

[lewis]

So I imagine all the frets would probably need filed down a bit? They do look untouched (I think?) as I can look at my Conklin and the fretson that look a little filed and not so rounded off like on Chinese junker. Could that be something I learn to do myself? I dont have the best of choices for luthiers around me and if I bring them a cheap chinese guitar they wont take it/me seriously haha.

Thats just it, I dont think I would pay someone to do it. If anything maybe experiment and try and learn. If i mess up the guitar I could care less really as its dirt cheap but I like the scale length and IDK I dig it for some reason but if I messed it up its really whatever.

There are plenty of excellent tutorials on youtube showing how to do all kinds of luthier style jobs.
You will need a few specific tools for the job. But they are not that expensive and its a good investment because once you learn how to do it, you will likely always want to and will then have the tools to on hand.

 

[JustinRhoads1980]

So I imagine all the frets would probably need filed down a bit? They do look untouched (I think?) as I can look at my Conklin and the fretson that look a little filed and not so rounded off like on Chinese junker. Could that be something I learn to do myself? I dont have the best of choices for luthiers around me and if I bring them a cheap chinese guitar they wont take it/me seriously haha.

Thats just it, I dont think I would pay someone to do it. If anything maybe experiment and try and learn. If i mess up the guitar I could care less really as its dirt cheap but I like the scale length and IDK I dig it for some reason but if I messed it up its really whatever.

If you are planning on doing yourself then go ahead! Especially since it is a cheapo guitar it wouldn't matter if it gets trashed or whatever, but I highly doubt that would happen if watch a couple of videos, read some articles, and get the proper tools you should be good!