string buzz?

[jeremyw]

The b and g strings on my acoustic buzz on the 2 and 3rd frets but only when I stand up and play with a strap. They seem to be fine when I sit down. This just started happening so I don't know if this is some sort of issue with the neck, etc.? I have had this guitar for about 10 years and it's always played perfectly. I have never had any kind of problem with the action or anything but it only seems to be when i satnd up. anyone have any ideas?

[kwakatak]

 

The b and g strings on my acoustic buzz on the 2 and 3rd frets but only when I stand up and play with a strap. They seem to be fine when I sit down. This just started happening so I don't know if this is some sort of issue with the neck, etc.? I have had this guitar for about 10 years and it's always played perfectly. I have never had any kind of problem with the action or anything but it only seems to be when i satnd up. anyone have any ideas?

 

 

Check the sticky above about some general at-home diagnostics you can do.

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1208287

 

Here's the section regarding relief, which I believe applies to your situation:

 

 

How about some Relief? Now one of the least understood parts of our guitars

[DeepEnd]

I'm going to make a guess and say your strap is tied on at the headstock. That means the weight of the guitar is pulling the end of neck toward you and cancelling some of the relief, especially on the high E side since the pull is at an angle. Things change as a guitar ages, which is why you haven't seen this problem before now. I suspect it may be drying out. Depending on the age of the guitar, you may even be seeing the first signs of needing a neck reset but it sounds relatively minor for now. Assuming the guitar is properly humidified, you probably need to slack off on the neck relief a bit.

[raggety]

Before doing any drastic alterations to your instrument, check your hand positioning.

 

if it only happens when you stand up to play, it sounds a fair chance that is where the problem lies????

[Freeman Keller]

My first thought was something like DeepEnd's, but it would seem like if the strap was tied on the headstock the weight of the guitar would be in a plane parallel to the top, not perpendicular. I can't see where this would change the relief much at all (unless the neck joint is really loose).

 

Also, to clarify what he said, if it buzzes on the first few frets it might need more relief, which you get by slackening the nut on the truss rod (loosening it). Don't fiddle with anything until the guitar is stable - get the humidity right if it isn't. Then measure everything (see the Sick Guitar sticky) and make any changes slowly.

 

And tell us if the strap is attached to the headstock or the heel.